Workplace fatality rate rising in Canada while falling in almost all other countries
Ottawa (1 Jan. 2007) - Canadians are dying at a rate of five workers for each regular working day of the year as a result of accidents on the job and occupational diseases, says a report by the Centre for the Study of Living Standards.
The number of workplace fatalities rose to the highest level ever in 2005 with 1,097 deaths reported, up 18% from 928 in 2004, the Ottawa-based centre says.
Statistics for the study were compiled by the Association of Workers Compensation Boards of Canada (AWCBC) from 1993 to 2005.
Founded in 1995, the centre is funded by a variety of federal and provincial departments and agencies along with contributions from think tanks, business and labour groups and other international and bipartite organizations.
“The numbers – and rates – of workplace fatalities are troubling,” says Andrew Sharpe, executive director of the centre. “Other countries are making progress in this area and we are not.”
Among the report's highlights:
- Workers in certain industries are at greater risk of dying from workplace causes. Fishing and trapping are the most dangerous industries, followed by mining, quarrying, and oil wells, logging and forestry, and construction.
- Fatality rates vary across the country. In 2005, Newfoundland had an average of 11.7 deaths per 100,000 workers; the national average was 6.8 deaths per 100,000 workers. Ontario had the highest number of deaths, 412, followed by Quebec with 223 and B.C. with 189.
- The incidence of workplace fatalities from accidents and occupational diseases increased from 5.2 deaths per 100,000 workers in 1996 to 6.8 deaths per 100,000 workers in 2005. This is in contrast to almost every other country in the Paris-based Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), where the incidence of workplace fatalities is declining.
- Deaths from occupational illnesses have shown a dramatic increase. Cancers, asbestos-related diseases and other illnesses count for half of all fatalities. Asbestos is a particular concern because Canada continues to mine and export the mineral. Many OECD countries have banned it. Given how asbestos-related diseases develop slowly over time, fatalities are expected to continue to rise. NUPGE
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