Italy is reeling from a series of fatal workplace accidents, with multiple incidents occurring in just the last few days. From railway tragedies to construction site mishaps, and the explosion at the Eni fuel depot, the country continues to grapple with its persistent problem of workplace safety and preventable fatalities.
On Wednesday night, a railway worker lost his life in Rubiero, near Reggio Emilia. The man, employed by Mercitalia, a subsidiary of the state-controlled Ferrovie dello Stato (FS), was hit by a regional train.
According to initial findings from the Carabinieri police, the 53-year-old was walking along the tracks toward the station after completing his work shift. Investigators believe that he may have accidentally ventured too close to the train line.
Deputy Premier and Transport Minister Matteo Salvini expressed his condolences, stating his “deep sorrow” for the loss and calling for a full investigation into the incident. In a note released late Wednesday, Salvini underscored the urgency of understanding the circumstances leading to this tragedy.
Construction Site Fatality: Another Worker Dies in Rome
On Wednesday, a 53-year-old construction worker fell from the roof of a factory located south of Rome. The man was working at Lamberet SpA, a French freezer trailer manufacturer. Another worker was also injured in the fall and remains in serious condition.
This accident comes amid a worrying trend in workplace fatalities, with Tuesday alone witnessing two separate deaths and five others killed in an explosion at an Eni fuels depot near Florence on Monday. Such incidents underscore the growing urgency of addressing workplace safety lapses in Italy.
A Deadly Tuesday: Two Further Workplace Accidents
On Tuesday, a 51-year-old construction worker died at a building site in Monteforte Irpino, near Avellino. Reports indicate he was a resident of Salerno.
Additionally, on the A1 motorway near Frosinone, a 39-year-old worker was fatally struck by a truck while carrying out maintenance work. This incident occurred at approximately 10 am, on a stretch of the Autostrada del Sole near Cassino toll booth. Reports confirm the victim as an employee of a Caserta-based company assigned to update the road signs along this route.
Statistics and Broader Concerns
The National Labour Accidents and Occupational Illness Agency (INAIL) recently reported 860 fatal work-related incidents occurred in the first ten months of 2024. This represents a 2.5% increase compared to the same period in 2023. This is an alarming trend as concerns over occupational safety and workplace risk grow.
With workplace deaths becoming an increasingly visible issue, Italy must prioritise swift policy reforms. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s proposal to hire thousands of new labour inspectors is a significant step forward, but too late for many.
However, with a steady stream of daily incidents continuing to claim lives, experts and lawmakers alike emphasise that policy must also focus on the root causes of these tragedies, ranging from employer negligence to outdated safety protocols.
