one in four workplace accidents involves a worker over 50

A study, published on Tuesday February 21, indicates that one in four work accidents involves a worker over 50 years of age. For their part, serious accidents, which lead to incapacity, represent 8% of accidents among 50-59 year olds, and nearly 10% among those over 60 years old. In 2021, more than 604,565 workplace accidents were recorded. “The trend has been downward for 20 years now”explains journalist Alexandre Peyrout, present on the set of 19/20, Tuesday. “Among the most affected sectors, construction, trade, but also public services, health and social action”he explains.

A number higher than the European average

France is the European country in which there are the most work accidents in relation to the number of employees. “In 2019, there were 3,425 per 100,000 people in employment. This is twice the European average”, assures Alexandre Peyrout. These accidents weigh on public finances: the industrial accident and occupational disease branch of Social Security represents 14 billion euros.