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Silent alarms: workplace injuries under-reporting in Italy

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  • F. Angei

Abstract

This paper studies the under-reporting of workplace injuries in Italy, leveraging administrative data on work accidents. Using a difference-in-differences approach, I compare injury reporting behavior across provincial economic sectors exposed to the news of a fatal workplace accident with those not exposed, providing a causal estimate of the effect of the news. The analysis reveals that, in the weeks following such news, the weekly number of non-severe injuries reported per 100,000 workers increases. This suggests that, under typical conditions, a substantial number of non-severe accidents remain unreported. Two mechanisms drive this pattern - media coverage, which likely puts pressure on both firms and workers to better comply with reporting standards, and a strong presence of workers' unions. In fact, a decomposition of the ATT shows that the effect is stronger in provinces with higher union membership.

Suggested Citation

  • F. Angei, 2025. "Silent alarms: workplace injuries under-reporting in Italy," Working Paper CRENoS 202503, Centre for North South Economic Research, University of Cagliari and Sassari, Sardinia.
    • Handle: RePEc:cns:cnscwp:202503
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    Keywords

    Workplace Injuries; Reporting Behaviour; Fatal Workplace Accidents; Media Coverage; unions; Difference-in-differences;
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