Icelandic Working Environment Authority issues over 400 safety improvement notices amid rising construction site accidents

The Icelandic Working Environment Authority has issued over 400 improvement notices regarding safety standards at construction sites in the past two years. These notices were prompted by violations of safety laws and regulations among construction firms.

In the last decade, workplace accidents in Iceland have led to 29 fatalities, with 15 occurring in the construction sector, four of which were reported this year. Employers are mandated to report all work-related accidents to the Authority, which seeks to understand the causes and prevent future occurrences.

A specialized team from the Authority conducts inspections at construction sites to assess safety conditions and provide guidance or demands for improvements. According to Hanna Sigríður Gunnsteinsdóttir, the director of the Authority, companies have generally responded swiftly and positively to these recommendations. Over the past two years, there has been a significant increase in inspections, reflecting a rising commitment to safety protocols.

However, reports indicate that the rate of accidents at construction sites in Iceland has risen in recent years, with a higher percentage of incidents compared to Norway. While safety rates here are similar to those in Sweden and the Faroe Islands, they are lower than in Denmark and Finland.

Hanna notes that while there has been a noticeable shift in attitude towards safety within companies, there are still multiple shortcomings that need to be addressed. Efforts include raising awareness among workplaces about maintaining employee safety and well-being.