Italy faces rising workplace fatalities amid proposed legal reforms

Italy continues to face a high rate of workplace fatalities, with 482 deaths recorded as of June 30, 2026, including 132 commuting accidents. Recent incidents include an electrician electrocuted in Calabria, a worker crushed by a forklift in Modena, and a worker in Florence. These tragedies have highlighted issues regarding non-compliance with safety standards, heatwave regulations, and labor exploitation through subcontracting and 'caporalato'.

In response to these trends, the government is preparing to amend Law 231 of 2001. Critics argue that the reform, supported by Confindustria, seeks to reduce the legal responsibility of companies by inverting the burden of proof. This change could make it more difficult to sanction companies for crimes related to labor exploitation and subcontracting violations. The reform may also include a retroactive reduction of penalties for manslaughter.

On a broader scale, data from INAIL shows over 400,000 annual workplace accidents in Italy. Experts suggest that relying solely on personal protective equipment (PPE) is insufficient. Research indicates that companies implementing ISO 45001 certified management systems see a 22.6% reduction in accident frequency and a significant decrease in accident severity by integrating safety into organizational processes rather than treating it as a mere regulatory requirement.