Occupational injuries are a public health problem, estimated to
annually cost the life of more than 300,000 workers globally and to
cause several more cases of disability. In the not so distant past
these occurrences were not protected by law and an injured worker
was left to rue his fortunes, very possibly unable to earn a living
for himself and his family as a result of his injuries and
consequent disability.
Naturally such a position is not tenable in a civilised society
and the workers' rights in this respect have evolved
dramatically, establishing stringent burdens on employers to
provide a safe place and system of work.
In the Maltese legal system workers' safety is mainly
regulated by the Occupational Health and Safety Authority Act,
Chapter 424 of the Laws of Malta, ("the Act") and its
subsidiary legislation which is largely influenced by EU
legislation and which is interpreted by our courts as establishing
a high degree of accountability on the employer
