More accidents again in 2021
Last year, around 450,000 accidents and occupational illnesses were reported to Suva. This is more cases than in the first Corona year 2020, but still significantly fewer than in 2019 before the pandemic. The increase is greater for occupational accidents than for leisure accidents.
In 2021, Suva policyholders reported around 450,000 accidents. This is 4.2 percent more than in the previous year. Accidents and occupational illnesses increased by 6.1 percent in occupational accident insurance, while leisure accidents rose by 2.4 percent. Accidents among those registered as unemployed again increased significantly by 13.2 percent. This is mainly due to the increase in the number of unemployed in 2021.
More accidents from May 2021
The development of accident figures correlates with the measures taken against the Corona pandemic. This is because there were significantly fewer accidents during the lockdown from mid-March 2020 and again from October 2020 - a situation that lasted until the end of May 2021. After the measures were lifted, the accident figures returned to a similarly high level as in 2019. From October 2021, there were significantly more accidents than at the same time in the previous year during the second Corona wave.
Cases registered with Suva under compulsory accident insurance:
2021 | Difference from previous year | 2020 | Difference from previous year | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Total accidents and occupational diseases | 448 462 | + 4,2 % | 430 268 | – 10,0 % | 478 094 |
of which occupational accidents and diseases | 175 768 | + 6,1 % | 165 609 | – 9,8 % | 183 690 |
thereof non-occupational accidents | 254 300 | + 2,4 % | 248 415 | – 10,9 % | 278 924 |
of which accidents and occupational diseases in accident insurance for the unemployed | 18 394 | + 13,2 % | 16 244 | + 4,9 % | 15 480 |
Again more occupational accidents and additional occupational diseases
In 2021, the number of people at work increased again. Correspondingly, the number of occupational accidents and illnesses increased again. In the first Corona year in 2020, there were 165,609 occupational accidents, and in 2021 there were 175,768 again. Compared with 2019 before the pandemic, however, there were around 4 percent fewer occupational accidents. Suva also received increased reports of occupational illnesses in 2021 from people exposed to Corona in nursing professions. The exact figures are currently being evaluated and are expected to be available in 2023.
Increase in recreational accidents - despite reduced sports activities
Recreational accidents also increased in 2021, but less than occupational accidents (2.4 percent). This is due to the fact that many sporting activities were limited during the first five months. But skiing accidents showed an increase of 2.4 percent from 2020 to 2021. Overall, however, these are still significantly fewer ski accidents compared to before the pandemic. Decreases were seen in bicycle accidents in 2021. In the first lockdown in the spring and summer of 2020, the bicycle boom resulted in significantly higher accident numbers. The rainy weather in the summer of 2021 and the general decrease in cycling led to fewer accidents in 2021.
Source: Suva
