According to data from Arbeidstilsynet, 30 workers died in workplace accidents during 2025 in Norway.

This is one of the highest figures in the past decade. The only year with more fatalities in the last 10 years was 2021. Even more concerning - at the beginning of 2026, 6 work-related deaths have already been registered.

Out of the 30 fatal incidents, 25 were related to vehicles, machinery, or work equipment. The most common were traffic accidents and crushing incidents. Some employees lost their lives while working with mechanical equipment, others in vehicle rollovers or incidents that occurred not on public roads, but within workplace areas.

How can you reduce the risk of fatal accidents at your workplace?

👉 Conduct a real risk assessment before starting work - not as a formality, but based on actual working conditions. Evaluate what could happen if equipment fails, overturns, or if an employee enters a hazardous zone.

👉 Ensure clear rules for working with machinery - who is authorized to operate equipment, what permits are required, what safety measures are mandatory, and when work must be stopped.

👉 Pay attention to equipment maintenance and repairs - some fatal incidents occurred during servicing or repair work when safety control was insufficient.

👉 Involve employees in risk discussions - they are the ones who best understand where real dangers arise in daily operations.

👉 Build a safety culture where work does not start automatically - there must be time to pause, assess the situation, and choose the safer solution.

If you want to ensure that your company’s risk assessment reflects real working conditions and complies with legal requirements, Nord HMS can help you review your processes and strengthen prevention.