In the first six months of 2026 there will be an increase in accidents at work, a slight decrease in the number of fatalities to 482.

In the first six months of 2026, workplace injuries have increased compared to the previous year, according to preliminary data released by INAIL, Italy’s national workers' compensation authority. The number of fatalities related to work accidents has slightly decreased to 482, down from 485 during the same period in 2025. This includes 342 deaths directly linked to work incidents and 128 deaths occurring while commuting to or from work. However, despite this decline, the overall picture does not indicate a clear improvement in occupational safety. While fatal incidents have dropped, non-fatal injuries have risen by 4.7 percent, and occupational diseases have increased by 16.7 percent. Certain high-risk sectors, including construction and healthcare, show worsening conditions. The reduction in fatal incidents is reflected in both categories: deaths occurring at the workplace fell by 4.2 percent, and those during commutes declined by 7.2 percent. Despite this decrease, the proportion of fatalities at the workplace among total deaths rose slightly from 72.1 percent to 72.8 percent. The mortality rate per 100,000 employees dropped to 1.46 from 1.48 in the first half of 2025. This decline is most noticeable in industry, services, and agriculture, though not all sectors follow the same trend. Construction saw an increase in fatal reports, rising from 53 to 59, while service industries supporting businesses went up from 14 to 25. Healthcare and social assistance also saw an increase, from three to eight, and public administration from two to six. Transport and warehousing remained stable with 47 fatalities, while manufacturing, retail, and food service recorded fewer deaths. Changes in the profile of victims highlight some shifts. Fatalities among men have decreased from 338 to 319, whereas female fatalities have increased, albeit remaining a minority, from 19 to 23. Reports involving Italian workers have decreased from 282 to 247, while those concerning foreign workers have risen from 75 to 95. Older workers aged 60 to 74 years have seen an increase in fatalities, from 72 to 82, as have younger workers aged 20 to 39, from 52 to 61. Conversely, fatalities among those aged 40 to 59 have decreased from 218 to 190. Regional trends reveal mixed outcomes. Southern regions saw a drop in fatalities from 87 to 75, as did the northwest from 95 to 91 and the northeast from 78 to 76. Central regions showed an increase from 60 to 63, while islands maintained parity with 37 fatalities in each period. Regions experiencing the most significant declines include Basilicata, Abruzzo, Bolzano, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, and Umbria. Increases were noted in Lazio, Emilia-Romagna, Calabria, and Trentino. Men remain the primary group affected, although their numbers have decreased from 338 to 319. Female fatalities, though still lower in absolute terms, have increased from 19 to 23. Italian worker fatalities have decreased from 282 to 247, while foreign worker fatalities have increased from 75 to 95. Younger and older workers have seen increases in fatalities, with cases rising from 72 to 82 among those aged 60 to 74 and from 52 to 61 among those aged 20 to 39, while fatalities among those aged 40 to 59 have decreased from 218 to 190. Non-fatal injuries have increased across all areas, except in Trentino, Bolzano, and Aosta Valley, which saw slight decreases. Total non-fatal injuries at workplaces reached 213,985, representing a 4.7 percent rise compared to the prior year. Commuting-related injuries also increased by 8.8 percent, reaching 880 per 100,000 employees, up from 845 in 2025. The percentage of injuries at workplaces relative to total injury reports has slightly decreased from 81.9 percent in the first half of 2025 to 81.3 percent in 2026. Growth was observed in all regions, with varying percentages, except in Trentino, Bolzano, and Aosta Valley. The increase was particularly notable in health and social care, transport and logistics, and commerce. Both genders experienced rises, with women seeing a 6.2 percent increase and men 4 percent. Foreign workers saw a higher increase of 7.6 percent compared to 3.8 percent for Italians. Age-based analysis shows generalized increases, especially among those aged 60 to 69, who saw a 10.1 percent rise, and those aged 20 to 29, who experienced a 6 percent increase.