WORKPLACE ACCIDENTS IN LANZAROTE RISE IN 2026 – BUT SERIOUS INCIDENTS FALL
Lanzarote has recorded more workplace accidents during the first seven months of 2026, although the latest figures also contain some encouraging news: serious accidents have fallen and there have been no fatal or very serious workplace accidents recorded so far this year.
New figures from the Centro de Datos de Lanzarote, based on official Canary Islands Government records, show that 1,430 workplace accidents resulting in sick leave were registered on the island between January and July 2026.
That represents an increase of 6.4% compared with the same period in 2025, when 1,344 such accidents were recorded.
FEWER SERIOUS WORKPLACE ACCIDENTS IN LANZAROTE
The vast majority of the accidents recorded in the first seven months of 2026 were classified as minor.
There were 1,427 minor workplace accidents, compared with 1,338 during the same period last year – an increase of around 6.7%.
However, serious accidents fell from five in January-July 2025 to just three during the first seven months of 2026.
Even more significantly, no very serious or fatal workplace accidents have been recorded in Lanzarote during this period.
That compares with one fatal workplace accident during the equivalent period of 2025.
So although the headline figure of rising workplace accidents may initially sound concerning, the severity of those incidents is an important part of the story.
MARCH RECORDED THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS
Looking at the figures month by month, March was the busiest month for workplace accidents in Lanzarote, with 230 incidents recorded.
May followed closely behind with 224, while January recorded 210.
The three serious accidents recorded so far this year occurred in January, March and July.
The statistics cover accidents resulting in occupational sick leave, meaning they should not be interpreted as every minor incident that occurs in a workplace being included in the figures.
WHAT IS HAPPENING ACROSS THE CANARY ISLANDS?
Lanzarote's increase also contrasts with the wider picture across the Canary Islands.
Regional statistics from the Instituto Canario de Estadística (ISTAC) showed that workplace accidents across the islands were actually falling during the first half of 2026.
By the end of June, 12,858 workplace incidents had been recorded in the Canary Islands, a 3.9% decrease compared with the same period in 2025. Serious and very serious accidents fell by 45.8%.
Government figures published in August also reported a reduction in workplace accidents resulting in sick leave across the region, with 11,504 incidents recorded during the first six months of the year.
This means Lanzarote's increase is not simply part of a general rise across the Canary Islands. The island is showing a different trend from the regional figures.
WHICH JOBS CARRY THE GREATEST RISKS?
Workplace safety is particularly important in industries where employees are exposed to machinery, construction sites, heavy equipment, heights or physically demanding work.
Across the Canary Islands, construction has one of the highest accident rates when the number of incidents is measured against the number of workers. Agriculture also has a relatively high incidence rate.
Lanzarote's economy includes construction, hospitality, tourism, agriculture, transport, waste management and a wide range of other industries, meaning workplace safety remains relevant to a large proportion of the island's working population.
Recent events have also highlighted the issue. At the Zonzamas Environmental Complex, a worker suffered a serious hand injury in late August after becoming trapped while operating a multimaterial press. The incident prompted calls from worker representatives for increased machinery maintenance and safety checks.
A REMINDER THAT PREVENTION REMAINS IMPORTANT
The latest statistics provide some positive news, particularly the absence of fatal and very serious workplace accidents in Lanzarote during the period covered.
But the increase in the overall number of accidents shows that occupational health and safety cannot be taken for granted.
For employers, this means maintaining equipment, providing appropriate training and ensuring workers understand the risks associated with their particular jobs. For employees, following safety procedures and reporting dangerous conditions can also play an important role in preventing accidents.
The figures will be worth watching as the year progresses to see whether the increase recorded between January and July continues or begins to level off.
WHAT THE LATEST LANZAROTE FIGURES SHOW
January–July 2026
• 1,430 workplace accidents resulting in sick leave
• 6.4% increase compared with January–July 2025
• 1,427 classified as minor
• 3 classified as serious
• 0 very serious accidents
• 0 fatal accidents
• March recorded the highest monthly total, with 230 accidents
The data comes from the Centro de Datos de Lanzarote, using records from the Government of the Canary Islands.
