Italy holds 14th National Safety Engineering Day amid rising workplace deaths

The National Council of Engineers (CNI) held the 14th National Safety Engineering Day to address the implementation of the 2025 Workplace Safety Decree. Despite the legislative overhaul intended to redefine health and safety responsibilities, key implementing measures—such as guidelines on ‘near miss’ incidents and construction site badge decrees—have yet to be adopted.

Data from Inail highlights a concerning trend in workplace fatalities. In 2025, there were 1,093 recorded deaths, averaging nearly three per day. This trend has persisted into 2026, with 701 deaths reported in the first eight months of the year.

During the event, Deputy Justice Minister Francesco Paolo Sisto emphasized that rising numbers suggest current prevention measures are ineffective. He called for a shift from purely punitive systems toward enhanced prevention mechanisms and better cooperation between employers and employees. Additionally, discussions touched upon structural reforms regarding the role of Prevention and Protection Service Managers (RSPP).