A joint Nordic campaign to raise awareness about the prevalence of and prevention of falls

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration in collaboration with sister organisations in Denmark, Norway and Finland are now jointly highlighting the prevalence of these accidents and the importance of preventing them through social media advertising, which is being published simultaneously in all the countries.

About 25 percent of reported work accidents in Iceland are due to a fall on a level surface and is one of the most common types of work accidents reported to the Administration of Occupational Safety and Health. At the same time, 10 percent of reported work accidents are due to falling from a height, but these accidents are for example due to falls from stairs, from scaffolding and when descending from machine tools.

The main injuries suffered by workers who fall while working are on the feet including the thighs, knees, ankles and calves, but there are also frequent injuries on the shoulder, shoulder joints, spine and spine joints. The risk of falling while working must be reduced by assessing the risk and taking appropriate safety measures.

The Directorate of Labour has also published a report that covers the main types of accidents, what circumstances can cause falls and the main risk factors at work in height. It also discusses what preventions can be taken to prevent falls at work.