Suche
Mein Konto
Fatal electric shock in Upper Austria: worker dies while cleaning
A 35-year-old worker tragically died from an electric shock during cleaning work on a building in Upper Austria.
Fatal electric shock in Upper Austria: worker dies while cleaning
On May 28, 2025, a tragic work accident occurred in Arbing, Perg district, Upper Austria. As 5min.at reports, a 35-year-old Kosovan was cleaning the facade of an apartment building when the fatal incident occurred. The worker got his cleaning lance caught in a high-voltage line, which had fatal consequences.
At around 1 p.m., a 34-year-old colleague from the Perg district heard screaming and immediately rushed to help. Despite immediately alerting the rescue team and emergency doctor and carrying out resuscitation measures, only the 35-year-old was confirmed dead.
Statistical classification of fatal accidents at work
According to dguv.de, there have been notable changes in accident insurance in the commercial sector in Germany in recent years. In 2022, a total of 423 fatal occupational accidents were counted, while in 2023 this number fell to 381, a decrease of 9.93%. Particularly in the construction industry, where fatal accidents often occur, the number of cases rose slightly from 74 to 76.
The Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA) has been documenting fatal accidents at work since 1978 and identifying accident hotspots to improve prevention. Every year, the BAuA records these accidents and evaluates them in order to better understand the causes of accidents and dangerous working conditions. Nearly 40 percent of reported fatal workplace accidents occur on construction sites, highlighting the danger to workers in this industry.
The importance of preventive measures
The BAuA found that there were a total of 1,549 accident reports for the period 2014 to 2024, while the professional associations registered 4,458 accidents. This shows a discrepancy in the statistics that points to the lack of legal reporting requirements. To minimize the risk of fatal accidents, it is crucial to take preventive measures in the workplace and consistently implement safety standards.
The evaluation of tragic accidents such as those in Arbing underscores the need for comprehensive safety measures to reduce risks to workers and prevent future fatal incidents. Workplace accidents are often preventable if appropriate safety precautions are taken.
The figures and statistics show that despite a decline in the number of accidents, there is still an enormous need for action, especially in risky areas such as construction and the cleaning industry. It remains to be hoped that the tragic incident in Upper Austria will be seen as an impetus for progressive security measures.