More and more people die at work

31 times.

So many times is a person in Denmark taken on the work without coming home again. And it is a fairly big increase from last year, where 25 people were killed on the job, according to the latest figures from the Danish working environment authority.

– It is a high figure. It is a curve, we should have broken in the downward direction again, says tilsynschef Inspectors, Jacob Buch.

It is a number that alleredehar got employment, Troels Lund Poulsen (V), to intervene and ask the labour inspectorate to intensify supervision - among other things, by looking at the stocks, on the cars and in the godscentralerne.

As something new has the minister of employment also increased the number of controls in the transport industry in the light of the many fatalities.

< strong> 2013: 36, where three lost their lives when the transport of goods 2014: 37, where no one lost his life by the carriage of goods 2015: 27, in which two lost their lives when the transport of goods 2016: 33, in which five lost their lives when the transport of goods 2017: 25, where four lost their lives when the transport of goods 2018: 31, in which seven lost their lives at the freight

– It means that we have a greater presence out among the drivers, who when they solve the tasks, explains Jacob Buch.

It is especially in the industry ‘transport of goods’, that the number of deaths is high. Seven drivers lost their lives in 2018. This is due, among other things, the heavy goods, as the lorry drivers have to do.

– It is the heavy cases. It may be heating pipes that may be on 800-900 pounds, says Jacob Buch.

The most typical reasons can be that the goods fall off of a driver, while being loaded.

– It can be in connection with that, the driver must secure the heavy cargo, or move up on it. The cargo may be in motion. The driver is therefore in the danger zone regardless of whether they are on the wagon or staying on the earth, says Jacob Buch.

Although the number of deaths in the workplace has decreased compared to 10 years ago, where about 60 people lost their lives at work, is the 31 deaths in 2018 is still a figure which is too high, believes the Danish Employers ' association.

– Although it is, of course, is better than ten years ago, it is still hard to find the joy in it. It is just tragic every time, and when the number goes up, it is a worrying development, says the chief consultant for the Danish confederation of Employers, Jens Lauritsen.

Although the Inspectors are doing what they can to prevent deaths on the job, it is ultimately the individual employer in the workplace who has responsibility for compliance with the rules.

According to Jens Lauritsen is the Danish working environment act is very clear, and it is the employer's ultimate responsibility that the work environment is safe and healthy.

– to create the framework for compliance with the rules. The employee has also a responsibility to contribute to that security measures are followed, " says Jens Lauritsen.

--------- SPLIT ELEMENT --------- part of the job

– There are many of my old workmates, there is not here any more.

this is the sound of the answer from the truck driver, mr Gert Frier, when we ask him about the high death toll industry. Gert Frier has over 20 years of experience as a truck driver, seen several colleagues charged life in the workplace. But for the seasoned truck driver, there is no doubt that the danger of the job may scare him away.

despite the fact that the experienced truck driver not even is afraid to be in the job, so doubt He will Deliver on, that it is all in the industry have the same attitude.

Last year, lorry drivers seven out of the 31 deaths in the workplace. The latest deaths were a 28-year-old new father from Holbæk. The young father lost his life in a aflæsningsulykke Thursday evening when a affaldsballe tore herself loose during levereringen of 1,200 pounds of heavy affaldsballer to Roskilde Forbrændning.

– The young people talk about, that they probably should not be in the industry just as much time, as I've been here, " says Gert Frier.

– falls and trips – when the driver move and carry things

– Fall from height, for example from bagsmæklift or if the driver climbs on the truck or the goods

– Hit by fallen objects the fx goods that are falling down or tipping over

– Påkørt during unloading in traffic or at the store

– Acute physical overload at the lift, the drag and slide of the heavy goods

the Evolution of deaths in the industry comes neither as a surprise for Gert Frier or the trade Union 3F.

At 3F, the next step is to map the drivers ' causes of death. The occupational regulations should be targeted to prevent work accidents in the transport industry, so that they can ensure a safe working environment.

– the Whole point of going to work is that you must home again to his family, says Flemming Overgaard, vice-president, in the name of 3F.

the trade Union has in recent times been in contact with the ministry of Employment in order to focus on lastbilchaufførenes working conditions.

– We are pleased that the minister for employment acknowledged that there must be a new effort. Now we just wait on, to be allocated the resources for it, says Flemming Overgaard.

As an experienced truck driver recognises Gert Frier, that in recent years has come a variety of positive actions to prevent accidents at work.

– Run - rest time has really helped a lot. The drivers are more fresh, says Gert Frier.

He highlights precisely this legislation, as a measure that helps to create a safe working environment. Although Gert looks positively at the actions, there is introduced, he believes, still, that there is a long way to go.

We are always pushed as the truck drivers, that is where the problem lies. This problem has not been addressed yet, says Gert Frier.

It has not been possible to get a comment to the figures from the employment Troels Lund Poulsen.

the Article has been in collaboration with the Danish school of journalism at roskilde university