Fatal accidents rise in Iceland’s construction sector as safety concerns mount

This year, three fatal accidents have occurred in the construction sector in Iceland, part of a troubling trend that has seen nine fatalities in recent years. Workplace accidents in Iceland are disproportionately higher compared to neighboring Norway. Authorities are now considering establishing a dedicated safety school.

In August, a man in his forties died in an incident in Urriðaholt, and just this week, another fatality was reported at a construction site in Árborg. Earlier in June, a man sustained lethal injuries in an accident in Akranes. Jóhanna Klara Stefánsdóttir, head of the construction division at the Federation of Icelandic Industries, noted that Iceland is lagging behind other Nordic countries in terms of construction site safety.

Statistics indicate a rise in accidents on construction sites in Iceland over the past few years, with nearly twelve accidents reported for every thousand workers in the sector last year, compared to around six in Norway, where numbers have remained relatively stable. This year marks the highest number of fatalities in the construction field in six years.

The situation is not entirely safe for construction workers in Iceland. Jóhanna pointed out discrepancies in safety practices among companies, noting that while some have robust safety cultures and understand the risks, others need more support. She emphasized the importance of conveying safety requirements in multiple languages to ensure that all workers, including those who have recently arrived in the country, understand the protocols.

Efforts are underway to establish a safety school for the construction sector, which is hoped to launch in the new year.