Work-related fatalities increase in 2023

2023 was a black year for work-related deaths in Sweden, according to preliminary statistics from the Swedish Work Environment Authority (Arbetsmiljöverket). In addition, the total number of reported work-related accidents increased by 14% compared to the previous year.

Between January and November last year, the Swedish Social Insurance Agency (Försäkringskassan) received almost 153,000 reports of work-related accidents. This is an increase from 134,000 the previous year, according to preliminary statistics from tax-funded Swedish state media SR.

Occupational accidents include both accidents and work-related illnesses. Between January and November 2023, almost 153,000 occupational accidents were reported to the Swedish Social Insurance Agency, compared with 134,000 the previous year. Despite a decrease in the number of reported occupational diseases, the number of accidents at work and on the way to work, as well as accidents resulting in sick leave, increased. The largest increase was in the number of reported accidents that did not result in sick leave.

57 workers died at work in 2023, reports Dagens Arbete, referring to the Swedish Work Environment Authority’s (Arbetsmiljöverkets) statistics, which do not include foreign workers who worked for companies registered in other countries, even if they died while working in Sweden. If they were included, the total number of fatalities would be 61, the highest number since 2011.

To step up efforts to combat fatalities, the government decided late last year to change the Swedish Work Environment Authority’s regulations to allow it to conduct more unannounced physical inspections at workplaces.

The figures may change if late reports are received by the Swedish Work Environment Authority.