Around 2.78 million workers die of work related diseases and occupational incidents the world over every year, according to a report of the International Labour Organization (ILO).
The report – Safety and Health at the Heart of the Future of Work – Building on 100 Years of Experience has stated that stress related to work, Psychosocial risks and noncommunicable diseases are a growing concern among workers.
It is estimated that 1,000 people die from occupational accidents every day. The death from work related diseases per day is figured at 6,500. As per the report, 31 per cent people die because of circulatory system issues and 26 per cent due to cancer related to work and 17 per cent due to respiratory diseases.
The report says that diseases form the bulk of the deaths (2.4 million deaths). The report says that gases, injury risk factors, noise and particulate matter are the leading contributions to the diseases related to work.
With respect to 20 per cent of neck pain, and back pain, and 25 per cent of hearing loss, the report states that it is due to occupational exposures.
Another finding is that mortality from cancer of workers is higher in developed countries. Infectious diseases and occupational accidents form only a small portion. It says that Africa tops the chart in occupational accident and work related communicable diseases
