According to data published by the Russian Federal Service for Labour and Employment (Rostrud), in January-September 2013, more than 6.3 thousand on-the-job accidents occurred in Russia. Nearly 1.9 thousand people were killed in them. More than 4.2 thousand people were severely injured, the Nezavisimaya Gazeta newspaper reports. The figures have shown a decline, compared to the same period last year. There has been a 10% decrease in on-the-job accidents, compared to January-September 2012. The number of fatalities at work has decreased by 16% and the number of severe injuries - by 9%.
Rostrud admitted, however, that “the figures are still high.”
One of the main causes of accidents is the “poor organisation of work.” It accounts for more than 30% of all injuries and deaths.
Construction is the most injury-risk industry in Russia. Incidentally, the construction sector is among the industries experiencing a shortage of workers. It appears that instead of obtaining employment in these spheres, people prefer to stay unemployed.
The number of accidents is also high in the transport, agriculture and forestry sectors.
As of the end of 2012, about 32% of all officially registered workers in the country were employed at hazardous production facilities. According to data of the Federal State Statistics Service (Rosstat), the largest number of people risk their health and life in the coal mining industry: 76% of the sector employees labour in substandard working conditions.
“Care about safe and comfortable working conditions is regarded as unimportant, it virtually does not affect a company reputation,” analyst of the Razvitiye (Development) Group Sergei Shandybin told the Nezavisimaya Gazeta daily. “However, it’s not a trifle, as the country’s GDP, budget expenditures and the health of the nation depend on it.”