A total of 17 people died in work accidents in 2024 in the Canary Islands, which reduces its rate

The occupational accident rate in the Canary Islands in 2024 has been reduced in all economic activities, in a year in which 17 people lost their lives in accidents at work, or while traveling to or from it.

According to the occupational accident report released this Friday by the Government of the Canary Islands, the incidence is lower in 2024 than five years earlier, in 2019, going from 2,878 workplace accidents per 100,000 workers to 2,713 cases, according to a statement from the Ministry of Tourism and Employment.

The General Director of Labor of the Government of the Canary Islands, José Ramón Rodríguez, has celebrated that these figures "are much lower in incidence compared to those of four years ago".

Especially considering that this decrease in occupational accidents occurs in a period in which the number of employed people has increased considerably, going from 807,562 in 2019 to 911,261 in 2024.

"Last year alone, affiliation increased by 30,240 people in relation to 2023," Rodríguez highlighted in that regard.

Between January and December of last year, 24,723 workplace accidents with sick leave occurred in the archipelago, which represents a decrease of 0.93 percent compared to 2023, that is, 223 fewer accidents.

Of these, 24,577 were minor, 130 cases were serious, and there were 16 worker deaths.

Regarding 'in itinere' accidents (those that occur when going to or returning from work), they totaled 3,791 in the year that has just ended, of which 3,756 were minor, 34 were serious, and there was one fatality.

In the case of work accidents without sick leave, there were 25,077, with a decrease of 1.5% compared to 2023.

By sectors of activity (during the workday), the incidence rate decreased in all, with the largest being experienced by agriculture and fishing (12.38%), followed by construction (-10.17%), industry (-3.01%) and services (-2.63%).

The Canary Islands Institute for Occupational Safety (ICASEL) has made more than 600 visits to companies during 2024 to verify prevention conditions.

"This reduction in accidents is due to the co-responsibility of everyone," defended the General Director of Labor, who stressed the importance of "continuing to join efforts from the different Public Administrations, unions, employers and society as a whole".