The European corrugated board industry has published its 2025 safety figures. According to Fefco, the average accident frequency remains at a comparatively low level. For the first time, the analysis also includes an examination of the most common types of accidents in the participating plants.
531 corrugated board plants in Europe participated in the voluntary data collection for the 2025 reporting year. In the previous year, there were still 614 sites. According to Fefco, the statistics serve companies to compare their occupational safety performance with the industry average and to derive improvements. The data is evaluated anonymously and is not validated by third parties.
Accident figures remain stable
The average Lost Time Accident Frequency Rate (LTA FR) in 2025 was 5.17 accidents per million working hours. This means the figure remains at a similar level to previous years. The overall key performance indicator, which also includes accidents requiring medical treatment and cases with restricted working capacity, also remained comparatively low at 7.68 per million working hours.
Fefco points out that accident rates have been significantly lower since 2020 than previously. The association names improved safety measures, changes in accident reporting, and the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, such as reduced production activities, as possible reasons. However, a definitive explanation cannot be derived. It is crucial that each plant continuously develops its own safety measures.
Cuts and tripping accidents are predominant
Since 2021, Fefco has also been collecting data on accident causes. The analysis for 2025 shows that cuts from knives or sharp tools account for the largest share at 19.8 percent. This is followed by accidents from contact with hard objects (18.1 per cent), tripping, slipping and falling accidents (16.0 per cent), injuries from manual lifting and moving of loads (15.4 per cent), and accidents involving rotating machinery (11.7 per cent). Other causes, such as working at height, vehicle movements, or handling hazardous substances, played a significantly smaller role.
The safety statistics are compiled by the Fefco Health & Safety Committee and are intended to serve as a benchmark for participating companies for the further development of their occupational safety measures.
Source: Fefco
