Of the 988 workers who died from injuries in factories in 2021, more than 70 percent of the cases were reported in just five states. Let us tell you that the year 2022 and 2023 are not being talked about here because the latest data of this kind is available only till the year 2021.
At least 3,791 workers were injured in factories registered with the government in 2021. According to data from the Ministry of Labor and Employment’s Directorate General Factory Advice Service and Labor Institute (DGFASLI), an estimated one-fourth of these injuries resulted in deaths.
At least 1,084 factory workers died from workplace injuries in 2017. Based on the data of 2021, it can be said that every day three workers die due to injuries in factories. Gujarat recorded 235 such deaths in 2021, Maharashtra 180, Tamil Nadu 147, Andhra Pradesh 65 and Chhattisgarh 82.
Although the number of factory workers injured has declined, fatal injuries have increased over the past five years. In 2017, at least 18 percent of injuries resulted in deaths. The share of fatal injuries in on-site worker deaths has since increased to 26 percent.
A report from the International Labor Organization this week said nearly 6,000 people die in work-related accidents every day around the world. The report titled ‘A call for safe and healthy work environments’ said that approximately 30 lakh deaths occur annually due to work-related accidents and diseases.
According to DGFASLI data, more than 2,100 people lost their lives as a result of slips and injuries in Indian factories between 2012 and 2021. Other causes of deaths include mechanical powered machines, explosions and workplace fires.
In India, about 29 per cent of the total sanctioned posts for state-employed factory inspectors were vacant in 2017. This number has increased to 32 percent in five years. More than 50 percent posts of medical inspectors in factories are vacant.
