INAIL 2023 report: decline in accidents but open challenges in occupational diseases and territorial disparities

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Emma Potter

Territorial disparities in fatal accidents

In 2023, there was a significant decline in workplace injuries compared to the previous year. Overall injury reports were over 590 thousandmarking a reduction of 16.1% compared to approximately 704 thousand in 2022. Even cases of fatal accidents they suffered a decreasegoing from 1,268 in 2022 to 1,147 in 2023, a decrease of 9.5%.

However, despite the overall improvement, a significant disparity remains between different areas of the country. The territorial disparities represent one of the most critical aspects of the INAIL 2023 report. While on the one hand Northern Italy concentrates 61% of overall accidents, it is the South that records an increase in deaths at work, with an increase of 6.3% compared to the year previous. In contrast, the Northern regions saw a reduction in fatal accidents, with the North-West recording a decline of 13.6% and the North-East of 11.3%. The gap between North and South continues to represent a challenge, highlighting the need for specific interventions in the most affected areas.

Increase in occupational diseases

Despite the reduction in injuries, in 2023 the reports of occupational diseases they recorded a significant increase. Over 72 thousand cases were reported, an increase of 19.8% compared to the previous year. The most common pathologies musculoskeletal diseases continue to represent almost 71% of complaints, followed by nervous system disorders and hearing loss. This increase is partially linked to the improvement of detection conditions, but also to structural problems that require targeted interventions.

Even with regards to occupational diseases, the geographical distribution shows notable disparity. Central Italy has the highest number of complaints (36.8% of the total), followed by the South and the North-East. The most affected regions are Tuscany, with over 11 thousand cases, Marche and Puglia, with around 6,700 reports each. This trend indicates that some regions, especially those characterized by specific industrial sectors, are more exposed to the risk of work-related diseases.

Construction: the sector with the highest severity index

Inail develops a risk indicator based on the relationship between the consequences of compensated accidents and the number of those exposed. The types of consequences are expressed in days lost per employee.

These indicators, defined severity indicesexclude cases of commuting accidents.

The risk analysis of the last three-year consolidated period (2019-2021) by sector of economic activity highlights the first place in the ranking goes to the construction sectorwith a severity index of 3.48 days lost per employee, more than double that found for Industry and services (1.48), followed by that of waste management and sewerage networks (3.06).

INAIL budget and management results

Furthermore, INAIL’s budget and management data are presented in the report. Revenue reached 12 billion and 440 million euros, an increase of 6% compared to 2022, mainly resulting from contribution revenues, which increased by 7%.

Inail has invested in scientific research to improve safety and health in the workplace. 70 BRiC (Call for Collaborative Research) projects were managed, with a focus on innovative technologies, artificial intelligence, and collaborative robotics.

It has been renovated partnerships with the Italian Institute of Technology, focused on the development of devices for the prevention of occupational risks and robotics for rehabilitation.

Inail continued with real estate and securities investments aimed at socially useful projects, including the construction of innovative school buildings and childcare centres. Capital investments reached 220 million euros in accrual and 300 million euros in cash.

Inail has completed the digitalisation of 53 processes and services within the PNRR, improving digital interaction with citizens and businesses. The use of theartificial intelligence for user support and automated data collection. The Digital Workplace infrastructure has been completed, allowing easier access to digital applications by staff.