Italian Worker Killed in Calabria Forest Prompts Union Safety Call

On 21 May 2026, 63‑year‑old Rosario Pulerà was fatally injured by a falling branch while cutting trees in the forested area of Chalet Pozzetti near Monterosso Calabro, Calabria, Italy. The death occurred just days after a silent march in Catanzaro organized by the CGIL, CISL and UIL unions demanding an end to workplace fatalities.

Pasquale Barbalaco, secretary of UIL Calabria, responded by urging immediate and measurable safety improvements. He emphasized that “la sicurezza non può e non deve mai essere considerata un costo,” calling for effective controls, risk‑based organization of work, adequate training and structural investment in safety equipment. Barbalaco linked the tragedy to broader issues such as insufficient inspections, excessive work pace and lack of preventive planning in mobile forest‑work sites. The union’s statements aim to pressure employers and authorities to integrate safety into production planning rather than treating it as an optional expense.