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10% Increase in Work-Related Deaths in Iran in 2016

Jan 28, 2026 January 28, 2026 2 min read 📰 Radio Farda
📋 Key Takeaway

In 2016, Iran saw a 10% increase in work-related deaths, totaling 1,645 fatalities, with falling from heights being the leading cause. Major provinces affected include Tehran, Fars, and Khorasan Razavi. This rise in fatalities highlights ongoing safety issues in Iranian workplaces and the economic impact of occupational hazards.

🔍 Quick Context Guide
💡 Bottom Line: The rise in work-related deaths in Iran highlights critical safety failures that need urgent attention.

👥 Key Players

Legal Medicine Organization MENTIONED
Government agency reporting on health and safety statistics
"They provide official data on work-related deaths, influencing policy and public awareness."
Akbar Shokat MENTIONED
Head of the Construction Workers' Association
"He advocates for worker safety and highlights the high rates of fatalities in the construction sector."
Mohammad Ali Hemmati MENTIONED
Deputy for Treatment of the Social Security Organization
"He addresses occupational health issues and the economic impact of work-related accidents."

📰 What Happened

In 2016, Iran experienced a 10% increase in work-related deaths, totaling 1,645 fatalities. The leading cause of these deaths was falling from heights, indicating significant safety issues in workplaces.

  • Tehran had the highest number of work-related deaths at 399.
  • 65% of work-related accidents are attributed to negligence and lack of safety precautions.

💡 Why It Matters

🇮🇷 For Iran: The increase in work-related deaths underscores the urgent need for improved workplace safety regulations and enforcement in Iran.
🌍 Regional: High rates of workplace fatalities may affect regional labor standards and economic stability.
🌐 International: International organizations may scrutinize Iran's labor practices, impacting trade relations and foreign investment.

📚 Background

Iran has a high rate of work-related accidents, often attributed to inadequate safety measures and regulatory oversight. The country is known for its dangerous working conditions, particularly in construction.

Occupational health and safety Labor rights in Iran
📡 Source: STATE MEDIA
📊 Confidence: 70%
While the report comes from a government agency, it may reflect state interests in portraying the situation accurately to address public concern.

The Legal Medicine Organization reported a 10% increase in work-related deaths in 2016 compared to 2015. According to a report by the IRIB news agency on Tuesday, May 16, the latest report from the Legal Medicine Organization indicates that 1,645 people died in 2016 due to work-related accidents. This figure shows a 10.1% increase compared to 1,494 victims in 2015. Tehran, with 399 deaths, Fars with 112, and Khorasan Razavi with 190 are at the top of the list of work-related accident victims among other provinces. The provinces of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad with 9 deaths, North Khorasan with 10, and South Khorasan with 12 had the lowest number of work-related accident victims. According to the report, 'falling from heights' was the leading cause of death in work-related accidents, with 675 people losing their lives due to falls while working. Being struck by a hard object, with 375 fatalities, was reported as the second leading cause of death in work-related accidents in Iran. Other causes of death included oxygen deficiency (106 fatalities), electrocution (218 fatalities), burns (119 fatalities), and other causes (152 fatalities). Iran is referred to as a 'record holder' for work-related accidents globally. This was announced by Akbar Shokat, head of the Construction Workers' Association, on September 14 last year, stating that 1,200 workers lost their lives in construction accidents in 2015. According to Iranian officials, occupational diseases and work-related accidents consume more than 2% of Iran's annual GDP growth. Mohammad Ali Hemmati, Deputy for Treatment of the Social Security Organization, also announced in May of this year that '65% of work-related accidents in workplaces are due to negligence and failure to observe safety precautions.' Hemmati added that 'according to statistics from the first six months of 2016, about 8,550 occupational accidents occurred in workplaces.' He further noted that according to the International Labor Organization (ILO), about 98% of work-related accidents are preventable.

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Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →

Translation confidence: 85%

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