This is according to data obtained by the Anatolia news agency on Tuesday from research completed by the Türk-Metal workers’ union. The union conducts research annually and is one of two institutions that presents comprehensive findings on work accidents in Turkey.According to the results of research carried out in the workplaces of members of the Türk-Metal workers’ union, a total of 4,643 workers lost their lives in 2009. Notably, the number of workplace accidents decreased in 2009 by 23 percent when compared to previous years. However, experts believe that the economic crisis played an important role in this decrease in the number of work accidents as a result of its impact on the decrease in production in Turkey.
The western province of İzmir recorded a total of 1,106 work accidents in 2009, making it the province with the highest rate of workplace accidents, followed by the northwestern province of Kocaeli with 910 work accidents and the northwestern province of Bursa with approximately 850 work accidents.
The 26-35 age group experienced the highest rate of work-related accidents, with 52 percent of workplace accidents occurring in this group, the research noted.
The data also indicated that the highest incidence of accidents occurred in production areas and workshops. A further 358 works accidents occurred in sports halls, dining halls, resting areas and storage areas. In addition, 11 incidences of occupational diseases were also recorded in the union’s research. According to the report, workers’ hands were the most at risk of injury.
In terms of productivity, Turkey lost a total of 60,505 working days in 2009 due to workplace injuries and deaths. Bursa had the highest incidence of lost working time, followed by the provinces of İstanbul, İzmir and Ankara.
