The Community of Madrid has recorded 39 fatalities from work accidents in the first half of 2026. The data, provided by the Regional Institute for Safety and Health at Work (IRSST), indicates an increase in June, with seven deaths compared to five in the same month last year.
The union UGT Madrid has described these figures as a "labor and social scourge," warning that the persistence of certain patterns suggests inadequate management of workplace risks. In the year-to-date total, 43,835 workplace accidents have been recorded in the region, including 35,631 during working hours and 8,204 on commutes to and from work ('in itinere').
In June, the seven fatal accidents were distributed across three sectors: Construction accounted for four fatalities (two from falls from height, one from impact with an object, and another from non-traumatic pathologies). The Services sector recorded two deaths (one from a non-traumatic pathology and another 'in itinere'), and the Industry sector, one fatality due to a traffic accident.
Non-Traumatic Pathologies (PNT), such as heart attacks or strokes, are consolidating as the leading cause of workplace death, accounting for 43.6% of fatalities so far this year. Falls from height and traffic accidents are also significant causes, which, according to the union, demonstrates the insufficiency of preventive measures.
The semi-annual report also reveals disparate trends in the severity of accidents by sector compared to 2025. Construction saw a 31.58% increase in serious accidents (from 38 to 50), while Industry rose by 63.16% (from 19 to 31). The Services sector, however, reduced serious accidents by 7.55% (from 106 to 98).
UGT Madrid has warned about the impact of heatwaves on workers in outdoor or unventilated spaces, calling for measures such as reorganizing work schedules. They also alert to the increase in psychosocial risks stemming from digitalization and production pressures. The union emphasizes that prevention is an essential investment.
