ANALYSIS OF THE DYNAMICS AND STRUCTURE OF INDUSTRIAL INJURIES IN UKRAINE (1992–2024) AND COMPARISON WITH EUROPEAN UNION COUNTRIES

This study presents a comprehensive analysis of industrial injury dynamics in Ukraine from 1992 to 2024 and compares outcomes with EU averages (2010–2017). Using statistical data from Ukraine’s State Statistics Service and Social Insurance Fund, the research examines trends in workplace injuries, fatalities, fatality rates, and fatal injury coefficients (Kс) per 100,000 workers. Key findings reveal a paradoxical trend: while non-fatal injuries decreased by 41.4× over 33 years, the severity of accidents intensified significantly. Fatalities fell by 5.3× until 2017 but surged by 23.5% thereafter. Alarmingly, the share of fatal accidents rose from 2.1% (1992) to 16.35% (2024), with Kс peaking at 6.29 in 2023. Post-2017 deterioration correlates with war-induced economic strain, infrastructure damage, and labor migration. Compared to the EU (2010–2017), Ukraine’s fatal injury coefficient (4.39) is 115% higher than the EU average (2.03). The fatality rate (6.39%) dwarfs rates in Germany (0.07%) and France (0.09%), exceeding the EU mean by 37×. Structural factors driving this gap include: Prevalence of high-risk industries (mining, construction),Outdated equipment (60% of industrial assets >20 years old), Systemic underreporting due to employer pressure, Inadequate regulatory enforcement and medical response. The study attributes Ukraine’s critical safety deficit to: Legislative weaknesses: Poor alignment with EU directives (e.g., ISO 45001) and low violation penalties. Resource constraints: Underfunding of safety upgrades (<1% of enterprise budgets vs. 3–5% in the EU). Wartime disruptions: Accelerated erosion of workplace safeguards since 2022. Recommendations emphasize systemic reform:Harmonize legislation with EU OSH standards, Introduce tax incentives for safety investments (>5% of budgets), Establish an EU-style electronic injury monitoring platform, Mandate VR-based safety training and academic OSH courses, Strengthen social dialogue via worker-employer safety councils, The analysis underscores an urgent need for consolidated action by government, businesses, and international partners to mitigate wartime-exacerbated risks and align Ukraine’s occupational safety with EU benchmarks.