Spain: higher unemployment and cooperation between unions and courts help lower the number of industrial accidents

The decline in economic activity led to a mechanic decrease in the number of accidents.  Occupational safety representatives from the CCOO and UGT unions, Pedro J Linares and Marisa Rufino, and the prosecutor specialized in industrial accidents (about this particular role of magistrate, see our dispatch No.  06503), Manuel de Oña Navarro, jointly revealed the report on the fight against industrial accidents.  They point out that the number of industrial accidents dropped by half in 10 years, but that Spain still accounts for 10% of industrial accidents in the European Union.  In 2010, industrial accidents decreased by 12%.  Over this period, 737 died at work, i.e. 2 every day, there were 17 serious accidents, 1,500 less serious accidents, and 46 cases of work-related diseases.  The main reason for this decrease is the notable decline in economic activity, particularly in construction and manufacturing.  Even so, construction is still one of the most dangerous sectors, with 11.3 deaths for 100,000 workers as opposed to 3.8 in average in all sectors.
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00 less serious accidents, and 46 cases of work-related diseases. The main reason for this decrease is the notable decline in economic activity, particularly in construction and manufacturing. Even so, construction is still one of the most dangerous sectors, with 11.3 deaths for 100,000 workers as opposed to 3.8 in average in all sectors.

Cooperation between the prosecution and unions bears fruit. Union representatives and the prosecutor nevertheless think that one of the key elements in this

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