Work related deaths continue to rise

The National Social Security Authority ( NSSA) says accidents at the workplace continue to rise, with the year 2012 recording 103 deaths in a period which also saw 5000 cases of serious injuries. According to statistics released by NSSA, the increase in the number of accidents occurring at the workplace shows that employers are not complying with the set safety standards and regulations.

The authority's Director for the Department of Occupational Health and Safety, Mr Rodgers Dhliwayo said 2012 was the bloodiest year since the dollarisation of the economy as more workers continue to die.

"It is saddening to note that most of the injuries that occur at the workplace are a result of negligence and failure by employers to provide safety clothing and equipment for their workers. We have those who work in risky and heavy industries, so NSSA inspectors are empowered by the law to make arrests in the event that companies are not complying," he said.

Records maintained by NSSA indicate that serious accidents continue to occur in all sectors of the economy with mining contributing the highest cases of fatalities.

2009 recorded 64 deaths, 2010 recorded 90 and 2011 recorded 60 while 2012 had 103 people who died in accidents recorded at the workplace