The possible contribution of a well-tested Occupational Risk Assessment and Management technique to counter the recent unexpected rise in the work related accidents

“The resumption of fatalities in Italy: in 2017, the number of fatal accidents at work rises by 5.2% - an inverted trend after years of decrease”. This is the refrain in the newspapers in the 2nd part of 2017, and confirms the data published by authoritative International and European agencies, in spite of some optimistic reports of the beginning of the 2017. Under the newspaper head titles, a number of conjectures about the causes (some not even supported by representative statistical data) complains about too meager investments in Prevention. In our opinion, based on a rigorous analysis, it is necessary to make a clear distinction between investments in money, always welcome but demonstrably inadequate on their own to solve the problem, and investments in the dissemination of the Culture of Safety, that in our Country still requires a substantial boost. This is evident when we consider that the application of an approach fully consistent with the Occupational Safety and Health - OS&H Standards, developed since the mid-90s, would certainly have helped to substantially improve the situation. Some examples are provided to support the assumption, and a case history is discussed, based on the in depth analysis of a fatal accident, together with the possible prevention suggestions focused on the Risk Assessment and Management approach.