Dozens of people from Constanta lose their lives every year in work accidents: here are the riskiest fields of activity

By accident at work, according to the legislation in force, we mean violent injury to the body, as well as acute professional intoxication that occur during the work process or in the performance of work duties and that cause temporary incapacity to work for at least three calendar days, disability or death. In 2023, 38 fatal work accidents occurred in Constanța. As for those resulting in temporary incapacity for work, there were 272 of them.

In the first quarter of 2024, the Constanța Territorial Labor Inspectorate (ITM) registered a number of six fatal accidents, which are being investigated. Also, 83 people were the victims of minor accidents. The representatives of ITM Constanța told us that the main cause of fatal accidents was the deterioration of the health of the victims.

As for the fields with the highest risk of such events, statistics show that, at the level of Constanța county, most work accidents occur in the field of road transport of goods. In second place is the construction sector, followed by the field of metal constructions – shipyards.

What must the employer do if there is an accident at work?

If a work accident occurs, the employer must declare the incident to the competent bodies, to the territorial labor inspectorates, to the insurer and, as the case may be, to the criminal investigation bodies.

If the result of the accident is only the employee’s temporary inability to work, then the employer can investigate the conditions under which that event took place. After ascertaining, the incident must be reported to the National Public Pensions House. The institution will evaluate the research file (prepared by the employer’s commission) or carry out its own investigation, to determine whether it is, in fact, a work accident.

The result of this investigation must be recorded in a report, based on which a Work Accident Registration Form and an Operative Communication Sheet of Work Accidents and Dangerous Incidents will be completed.

If, unfortunately, the accident results in the death of the employee, the medico-legal institution must send a copy of the medico-legal report to the Territorial Labor Inspectorate. The report must be sent within seven days of the date of death.

Mihaela GIUGLEA