More commuting accidents again after the pandemic

The number of accidents on the way to work increased in the first half of 2023 compared to the same period the previous year. This is according to provisional figures published today by the German Social Accident Insurance Institution (DGUV). According to these figures, 90,647 reportable commuting accidents occurred from the beginning of the year to the end of June - an increase of 14.4 per cent. The number of reportable occupational accidents fell by 0.8 per cent to 390,567 accidents in the first half of 2023 compared to the same period last year. Both figures remain below those of the 1st half of 2019 before the Corona crisis. There was a significant drop in the number of reports of an occupational illness of COVID-19.

"The preliminary figures on occupational accidents and diseases reflect the development in the working world after the pandemic. People are becoming more mobile again, no longer working only in their home offices; this results in more commuting accidents," says Dr Stefan Hussy, Director General of DGUV.

The number of new pensions as a result of occupational and commuting accidents decreased by 2.2 per cent: In a total of 6,745 cases, a pension was paid to insured persons for the first time. 274 people died in an occupational or commuting accident. This is 19 more deaths than in the same period last year.

Notifications of COVID-19 as an occupational disease strongly declining

The number of reports of suspected occupational diseases received in the first half of 2023 decreased by 54.5 per cent to 97,757 cases compared to 2022. This is mainly due to the fact that the accident insurance institutions received fewer reports of suspected occupational disease from COVID-19. By 30 June 2023, the accident insurance institutions had received 56,389 reports of suspected COVID-19 as an occupational disease.

In the reporting period, 49,068 occupational diseases were recognised. This corresponds to a decrease of 43.1 percent compared to the previous year and is also an expression of the declining number of reports of Corona cases. By 30 June 2023, the accident insurance institutions had recognised 37,378 occupational diseases resulting from COVID-19. The number of deaths as a result of an occupational disease fell by 61 to a total of 870 cases.

More accidents on the way to the educational institution

The number of reportable pupil accidents increased by 2.9 per cent to 492,345 compared to the first half of 2022, which is still significantly below the level of 2019. 41,598 accidents occurred on the way to an educational or care institution, which is 4.8 per cent more than in the same period last year. Eleven pupils were involved in fatal accidents. The new accident pensions in the pupil accident insurance increased by 5.6 per cent to 263 cases.

Background: German social accident insurance

Around 65 million people in Germany are covered by the German social accident insurance institutions. The insurance cover extends not only to work or attendance at an educational institution such as school, nursery or university, but also to the way there and back home.

Accidents at work and on the way to and from work must be reported if they result in incapacity to work for more than three days or in death.

In the pupils' accident insurance (covers pupils, day-care centre children and students), on the other hand, there is already an obligation to report if insured persons are injured while attending a day-care centre, school or university or as a result of a commuting accident in such a way that they require medical treatment.