On the other hand, the number of serious injuries has decreased: so far this year 53 persons have sustained serious injuries, which is by four less than a year earlier.

Last week, SLI started investigating three workplace accidents. In one case, Riga Emergency Medical Aid doctor fell into a shaft while providing first aid; he sustained serious back injuries.

The SLI are also investigating a case, when an employee at the joint-stock company Ligatnes papirfabrika, (Ligatne Paper Mill) sustained a heavy hand wound as a result of operating a paper production machinery; in the third case, SLI experts investigate the circumstances, which made a cheese production company Siera nams car driver sustain heavy head trauma.

SLI point out that the statistical data could still be adjusted as it is possible that the investigation establishes that some of the accidents were not work-related.