The finding is not a surprise.
The number of recognized work accidents decreased by 17.7% in 2020 compared to 2019. A decline yes, but "proportional to the decline in economic activity" last year under the effect of the epidemic of Covid-19, Health Insurance-Occupational Risks announced on Tuesday.
In detail, the decrease in the number of accidents (539,833 in 2020, after 655,715 in 2019) "corresponds to the two periods of confinement" of the past year, while the pandemic "has put a stop to a number important ”of sectors from March 2020, notes this branch of Social Security.
Work accidents and occupational diseases: what is the outcome for 2020?
Health Insurance - Occupational Risks publishes 2020 claims figures and highlights the highlights of this unique year.
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Another observation: sectors in high demand during the health crisis, such as "ambulance professions, purchasing centers or distance selling" have "seen their claims increase": + 2.4% for ambulances, + 5% for central purchasing, + 14% for distance selling.
On the other hand, social action and health activities saw their number of accidents drop by "17% in 2020", notes the Health Insurance.
Very represented musculoskeletal disorders
Overall, the number of commuting accidents decreased by 19.7% in 2020, with 79,428 accidents recorded.
“This very sharp drop is observed to varying degrees in most of the major regions.
Here too, this trend is explained by the periods of confinement, ”indicates the branch.
But bicycle and scooter accidents increased by 14.8% last year.
Also in decline, the number of occupational diseases covered fell by 18.8% last year, with 40,219 recognized cases.
Musculoskeletal disorders remain "at the origin of 87% of occupational diseases", according to the press release.
"Although they are of delayed effect", cancers of occupational origin have also decreased (-14%), notes the branch.
An increase in psychosocial disorders
Conversely, mental illnesses at work continue the “increase observed in recent years”.
Last year, 1,441 occupational illnesses related to psychosocial disorders (stress, work intensity, etc.) were covered by the branch, “ie around 37% more than in 2019”.
A strong increase "probably linked" to "the impact of the pandemic on the professional context", estimates the branch.
Read alsoThe Covid-19, occupational disease for all employees?
The subject is debated
Regarding the recognition of Covid-19 as an occupational disease for “employees seriously affected” by the virus “in the context of their profession”, the branch specifies that at the end of last September, “5,018 complete application files” were submitted , “Of which 82% concern caregivers”.
To date, 1,690 cases have been "taken care of," she adds.