The Hindu Business Line : Number of deaths in workplace on the rise

Despite efforts by the Government at the Central and State level to ensure safety at workplaces, the number of deaths of workers on duty is on the rise.

According to data compiled by the Ministry of Labour based on figures available with the Chief Inspector of Factories in States and Union Territories, the total number of deaths in workplaces, including factories, ports and mines during 2004 stood at 1,081. The figure went up to 1,142 during 2005 and touched 1,209 in 2006.

Though there are three legislations to protect workers safety, namely — The Factories Act 1948, The Mines Act 1952 and the Dock Workers (Safety, Health and Welfare) Act 1986 — and a large number of rules and regulations framed under these Acts, they are regularly violated, particularly where the level of operations are small. The number of accidents is much more in small operations as against big factories, officials said.

Gujarat tops

Every year since 2004, the maximum number of deaths has been reported in Gujarat, followed by Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh.

During 2004, Gujarat reported 221 workplace deaths, followed by Maharashtra with 153 and Andhra Pradesh with 90.

In 2005, Gujarat reported 200 deaths, Maharashtra 200 and Andhra Pradesh 134, while in 2006, the numbers for Gujarat, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh stood at 184, 177 and 157 respectively.

In case of ports, the total number of deaths in all the 11 major ports together stood at 28 in 2004, 30 in 2005 and 36 in 2006.

The maximum number during the three years were reported from Chennai port (23) followed by Kandla (16) and Mumbai (11).

Mine deaths

In case of deaths through mine accidents, the total number stood at 160 in 2004, 169 in 2005 and 213 in 2006. During the three years, Jharkhand recorded the highest number (171), followed by Andhra Pradesh (62) and Rajasthan (52).

However, despite the rise in the number of deaths in 2005 compared to 2004, the total compensation amount paid as per the Workers’ Compensation Act declined in 2005. Though the number of deaths went up further in 2006, the compensation amount still remained less than what had been paid in 2004.