Trieste, 25 March 2025 – The community of Vajont and the region of Friuli Venezia Giulia are in mourning following the tragic death of Daniel Tafa, a 22-year-old worker who lost his life in a workplace accident in Maniago. This unfortunate incident has reignited discussions about workplace safety and the urgent need for regulatory improvements.
On March 25, 2025, Governor Massimiliano Fedriga expressed his heartfelt condolences to Tafa's family and colleagues. "A nome dell’intera Regione Friuli Venezia Giulia voglio esprimere il più profondo cordoglio per la tragica scomparsa di Daniel Tafa," he stated, highlighting the grief that grips the community. "In questo momento di enorme sofferenza, la più sentita vicinanza va alla sua famiglia, ai colleghi e a tutta la comunità di Vajont.” Fedriga emphasized the need for a thorough investigation into the incident, reinforcing that workplace safety must be an inviolable value that engages all institutions.
The accident occurred around 1:30 AM when Tafa was operating a machine for stamping industrial gears at Stm, a company that employs about 100 people. While working, the machine malfunctioned, causing an incandescent splinter to pierce his back, resulting in his immediate death. Despite the swift response from his colleagues who called for emergency services, attempts to revive him were unsuccessful, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
In the wake of this tragic accident, Alessia Rosolen, the regional labor councilor, called for greater commitment to improving workplace safety measures. “Un evento tanto drammatico deve rafforzare la nostra determinazione nell’attuazione di misure volte all’aumento della sicurezza sul lavoro,” she asserted. The region has already initiated a comprehensive safety plan in collaboration with social partners, which includes funding for continuous training, the establishment of a regional observatory on workplace accidents, and an increase in inspection activities.
Confindustria Alto Adriatico, led by president Michelangelo Agrusti, joined in expressing sorrow and outrage at the incident. Agrusti noted, "Le morti sul lavoro sono tragedia e fallimento," pointing to the continuous need for a robust culture of safety and the establishment of a "School of Safety" aimed at reducing accidents through technology and ongoing training. He emphasized that more must be done to ensure safety at work, indicating that all involved should govern safety processes stringently.
Massimo Moretuzzo, the group leader of Patto per l’Autonomia – Civica FVG, labeled Tafa's death as an "intolerable massacre," citing the urgent need for increased investment and controls to ensure adherence to safety regulations in workplaces. He remarked, “Serve un impegno forte ed efficace per prevenire ulteriori drammi e tutelare realmente chi lavora ogni giorno nelle nostre aziende.”
The community of Vajont has rallied around Tafa’s family, demanding justice and immediate action from the authorities to prevent such tragedies from recurring. As reports of workplace deaths rise, this incident underscores the critical need for a fundamental cultural shift regarding safety at work, which must involve collective political and civil responsibilities to uphold workers' lives.
This recent tragedy is not isolated; on the same day, two other workers lost their lives in separate incidents. A 38-year-old worker was struck and killed by a heavy vehicle while working on the A1 highway near Orvieto, and another worker had succumbed to injuries after getting trapped in a conveyor belt in the Neapolitan area, bringing significant attention to the state of worker safety across Italy.
Elly Schlein, secretary of the Democratic Party, referred to the increases in workplace fatalities as a "massacre," emphasizing that it is unacceptable for individuals to die due to work-related accidents. She urged the government to take effective action, improve safety regulations, and hire more inspectors to enforce compliance rigorously. Schlein further stated, “Bisogna inoltre contrastare precarietà e subappalti a cascata che rendono il lavoro meno sicuro.”
These tragic events reflect a critical moment for Italy to reassess workplace safety standards and to take meaningful action aimed at preventing future incidents that result in the loss of life. The collective outcry from the community and various officials illustrates a unifying call for change and increased safety for workers to guarantee a safer environment for present and future generations. It is essential that these discussions lead to concrete actions that prioritize the protection of workers’ rights and lives.
