Workplace Accidents Claim 475 Lives In 6 Months: Survey

Workplace accidents in the country have claimed the lives of 475 workers during the first half of this year, according to a survey conducted by non-profit organisation Safety and Rights Society (SRS). In the January to June period of last year, the count was 389. The SRS conducted the survey based on news published in various newspapers (15 national and 11 local).

Analysing the workplace accident data, it was found that the highest number of 250 workers were killed in the transport sector, 74 in service establishments (such as workshops, gas, electricity supply establishments, etc.), 66 in the agricultural sector, 52 in the construction sector, and 33 in factories and other manufacturing institutes.

Reviewing the causes of death, it was observed that 310 people were killed in road accidents (including 250 workers in the transport sector and accidents on the way to and from the workplace); 52 people were electrocuted; 51 killed by lightning; 23 died from falls; 15 were hit or crushed by hard or heavy objects; 8 were exposed to chemicals or toxic gases in septic tanks or water tanks; 6 drowned; 3 died in fires and explosions; 1 died from a girder collapse; and 6 people died from other causes.