Over 30,000 Workers Were Injured in 2017

The Deputy of Occupational Medicine and Medical Commissions of the Direct Treatment Department of the Social Security Organization described the rate of work-related accidents in Iran as "high" and stated that over 30,000 workers were injured in 2017. According to Mehr News Agency, Daryoush Panahizadeh pointed out that statistically, in workshops covered by the East Tehran Department, "the number of work accidents was higher, with a rate of 34 percent." He noted, "Of course, the number of workshops in some provinces of Iran is higher than others, and accordingly, the rate of work-related accidents is also higher there." Previously, Ahmad Moshirian, the Deputy of Labor Relations at the Ministry of Cooperatives, Labor, and Social Welfare, stated last year that 790 workers had fallen victim to work-related accidents. According to Mehr News Agency, he added that this figure had "decreased" compared to 2016, but did not provide details on this statistic. This comes as Hassan Hashemi, the Minister of Health, Treatment, and Medical Education, reported on February 20 of last year that more than two thousand people had died due to work-related accidents, stating that 40 percent of workshops lack "necessary safety measures." In this context, according to Mehr, Mr. Panahizadeh mentioned that last year, the main causes of accidents in workshops were "worker negligence, followed by the use of unprotected tools and defective equipment," adding that most accidents were related to incidents involving the use of non-standard equipment. Reports from media in Iran indicate that falls from heights, being struck by hard objects, burns, and lack of oxygen are among the main causes of work-related accidents leading to worker fatalities. According to Mehr, Daryoush Panahizadeh identified the most common injuries as related to fingers and body parts, adding, "In construction work, the occurrence of accidents and hazards for workers is higher than in other occupations, and in this regard, the municipality can provide safety information to employers by printing brochures along with construction permits, and supervising engineers should ensure compliance with safety guidelines during work." This official from the Social Security Organization emphasized the necessity of educating and raising workers' awareness regarding workplace hazards and also noted that less attention is paid to training. Daryoush Panahizadeh also stressed the need for the use of safety clothing, helmets, and equipment, urging factory and workshop managers to enhance the technology level of machines and safety measures to protect the health of the workforce. He further stated that adapting and optimizing the physical environment of workshops and factories and adhering to occupational health guidelines in the workplace are other actions that should be taken to reduce work-related accidents. According to Daryoush Panahizadeh, employers must require workers to wear safety clothing and helmets during work and use appropriate, safe, and standard equipment. Previously, Ahmad Moshirian had also mentioned that to reduce workplace accidents and improve safety training for workers, a memorandum of understanding had been signed between the research center of the Ministry of Cooperatives, Labor, and Social Welfare and the Technical and Vocational Organization for the training of workers and employers. He also referred to the "Zemestan-Yurt" mine disaster in Golestan province in May 2017, stating that after that incident, "a mining working group was formed to prevent accidents in mines and safety issues were reviewed throughout the country." The explosion at this mine resulted in the deaths of 43 miners, and according to the head of the judiciary in this province, the report of the fact-finding committee identified the employer as responsible for the incident. The statements of the Deputy Minister of Cooperatives, Labor, and Social Welfare were made on March 8, in a context where in January of last year, Mohammad Mojtahedzadeh, the head of the Iranian Coal Association, pointed out that the equipment in coal mines is very old, stating that assessments show that the deficiencies that led to the "Zemestan-Yurt Golestan" disaster also exist in other mines. For this reason, Mr. Mojtahedzadeh warned of the possibility of similar accidents occurring in other mines in Iran.