Fewer work-related accidents but injuries more severe
Work-related accidents are decreasing but getting worse in terms of severity, resulting in higher average compensation payments, the Labour Protection and Welfare Department said yesterday.
Department chief Padungsak Thephasdin na Ayutthaya said the number of workplace accidents was down but the severity was on the rise. He said 2005 saw 214,235 reported workplace accidents - or 27.75 accidents for every 1,000 workers. That is down on the 2004 figure of 215,534 accidents, or 29.2 in every 1,000 workers. The Social Security Office workmen's compensation fund paid Bt1.6 billion in claims in 2005, up on Bt1.4 billion in 2004. Statistics show workers aged between 25 and 29 suffered the most accidents followed by those in the 20 to 24 age group. Industries reporting the most accidents were construction, food and beverage, furniture and woodworking, plastic products and metal works. Most involved cuts and wounds from accidents followed by injuries and illness from chemicals. Hand and eye injuries were the most common. Padungsak said officials reported worker carelessness and lack of regard for personal safety caused 88 per cent of accidents. Employers' failure to provide safety supervision and a safe working environment was next. He admitted that departmental staff shortage hindered efforts to bring labour protection and welfare up to international standards. The department has 1,345 officials overseeing 383,551 places of work and 8.84 million workers. National Work Safety Week will be held from May 10 to May 12 and will include a workplace-safety exhibition at the Impact Arena at Muang Thong Thani.
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