SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, April 26. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Canary Islands have recorded a total of 5,913 work-related accidents with time off in the first quarter of the year, marking an 8.9% decrease compared to the same period in the previous year, during which 6,496 incidents were reported. This information was shared by José Ramón Rodríguez, the general director of Labour, on the occasion of World Day for Safety and Health at Work, being celebrated this Sunday.
José Ramón Rodríguez emphasised the positive trend of reduced work accidents compared to the same quarter of the previous year, spanning across all sectors. Moreover, a decline in the rate of fatal accidents classified as ‘in itinere’—those occurring while travelling to or from the workplace—has been observed.
Among these statistics, a notable decrease of 12.5% is seen in the Incidence rate (number of work accidents per 100,000 workers) in the current year compared to the same period last year.
Decreases in the number of accidents are evident in all sectors of activity compared to the same period in 2023, with the service sector witnessing the most significant decrease, with 357 fewer incidents; construction with 127 fewer compared to 2023; agriculture and fishing also exhibit a decrease in workday accidents, with a reduction of 66 incidents, while the industry sector saw a decrease of 29 accidents.
In terms of the severity of injuries during workday accidents, minor injuries decreased by 571, serious injuries by 9, and one fatality occurred, all figures lower than in 2023. José Ramón Rodríguez highlighted “the importance of continuing to unite efforts in reducing workplace incidents.”
The Ministry of Tourism and Employment reasserted its commitment to enhancing working conditions and fostering healthy work environments in all companies in the Canary Islands. Jéssica de León, the area’s councillor, mentioned that her department will be releasing a technical guide on ‘Working time planning in the housekeeping department’ in the upcoming weeks, aimed at evaluating the workload of housekeepers to prevent potential work accidents and occupational illnesses.
This new approach, developed by ICASEL in collaboration with business and union organisations, “will aid in determining the number of rooms each housekeeper can handle in a workday based on the specific characteristics of each hotel establishment,” stated De León.
Additionally, a study on the ergonomic and psychosocial conditions in the hotel sector of the Canary Islands will be conducted. The findings of this study, as emphasised by the councillor, “will enable us to define preventive measures to be implemented for the well-being of workers in the sector.”
