Foreign laborers usually participate in more dangerous projects than Icelanders, which may explain why they are more often involved in fatal accidents than native workers, according to Eyjólfur Saemundsson, director of the Occupational Safety and Health Authority.
On Wednesday two Romanian welders died while working inside an air-tight steam pipe at Hellisheidarvirkjun power plant outside Reykjavík, probably due to lack of oxygen.
According to Morgunbladid, so far this year there have been three fatal work-related accidents in Iceland. The victims have all been of foreign origin. Since 2006 seven immigrant workers and five Icelanders have lost their lives in work-related accidents.
Saemundsson also claimed that the high number of fatal accidents among foreign laborers in Iceland may reflect the working conditions in their home countries where safety standards are not as developed as in Iceland.
Click here to read more about Wednesday’s accident.
