Workplace deaths rise in Catalonia in the first half of the year

BarcelonaWorkplace accidents continue their upward trend in Catalonia. After a particularly critical 2025, which left figures at a decade-high of workplace deaths, in the first half of 2026, up to sixty work-related deaths have been registered in the Principality. According to data from the Observatory of Work and the Productive Model of the Generalitat disseminated by Comissions Obreres, between January and June, 43 people have lost their lives during working hours, 10.26% more than the previous year. To this figure must be added the seventeen accidents in transit (on the commute to or from work), 70% more than in the same period last year.

Workplace fatalities have increased in a context of rising accident rates: according to the union, 99,638 workplace accidents have been confirmed in the first six months of the academic year. Of these, more than 47,200 have resulted in sick leave, an increase of approximately 2.2% compared to the first half of 2025.

Accidents during commutes have also grown significantly (10,375 accidents), about 4.3% above last year's figure. As the union has denounced in a statement, the figures published by the Observatory of Labour "show a structural problem, of a productive model and of work organization".

"Shock plans" against accidents

The 43 workplace deaths, according to the entity, have "an intimate relationship with the organization of work". Of the total number of fatal incidents, 23 were due to non-traumatic causes, such as heart attacks or strokes. On the other hand, deaths due to traumatic causes have risen to eighteen, a 43.75% increase compared to a year ago. The union links the trend to "workloads and paces, and the lack of disconnection and time for rest and recovery".

By sectors, services have concentrated the majority of incidents, with more than 29,900 accidents and 21 workers killed. In industry, nearly 10,300 accidents and 10 registered deaths have been recorded, while construction regrets just over 6,000 accidents and 9 fatalities.

To curb the rise in workplace accidents, Comissions calls on the Catalan and Spanish administrations to develop "shock plans against accidents" that grant more resources to the Labour Inspectorate. They also demand that companies improve the "real prevention" of occupational risks, integrating psychosocial hazards associated with work organization.

Finally, they ask to implement "safe mobility policies" to prevent accidents in progress; and insist on reducing the working day to 37.5 hours per week to "improve workers' health".