In a recent report by the International Labour Organization (ILO), the world has witnessed a staggering 12% surge in work-related deaths since the turn of the century. Drawing on data from 2019, the ILO estimates that a shocking 2.9 million workers lost their lives on the job, accompanied by an additional 395 million individuals sustaining nonfatal injuries. This figure represents a grim increase of more than 5% compared to the statistics from 2015.
In a recent report by the International Labour Organization (ILO), the world has witnessed a staggering 12% surge in work-related deaths since the turn of the century. Drawing on data from 2019, the ILO estimates that a shocking 2.9 million workers lost their lives on the job, accompanied by an additional 395 million individuals sustaining nonfatal injuries. This figure represents a grim increase of more than 5% compared to the statistics from 2015.
Diving into the details, the majority of these fatalities, totaling 2.6 million, can be attributed to work-related diseases, while approximately 330,000 resulted from direct injuries. The gender disparity in mortality rates is evident, with men experiencing a significantly higher rate of 108.3 deaths per 100,000 workers compared to women at 48.4.
The ILO press release highlights the top three contributors to work-related deaths, namely circulatory diseases, cancer, and respiratory diseases. Collectively, these categories contribute to more than three-quarters of the total work-related mortality, shedding light on the urgent need for comprehensive workplace safety measures.
A concerning revelation is that about one-third of these fatalities involved agricultural workers. Sectors such as agriculture, construction, forestry, fishing, and manufacturing collectively account for a staggering 200,000 deaths annually, making up 63% of the overall workplace fatalities.
As we confront these disheartening statistics, it is imperative for policymakers, employers, and workers alike to prioritize and implement stringent safety protocols. The global community must come together to address the root causes of these fatalities and work collaboratively towards creating safer work environments for everyone.
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