Bobbin-winding unit in a textile factory, Sudan
Photo: ILO

In this small textile weaving workshop in Jordan, mothers can work while keeping their children with them.
Photo: J Maillard (ILO)

Agricultural workers preparing to spray pesticides, Brazil.
Photo: Classet (ILO)

TWO MILLION KILLED AT WORK EACH YEAR

About two million people are killed by their work every year. This latest global estimate comes from the International Labour Office (ILO) - and that's just a small part of the carnage at work, says Jukka Takala, Director of ILO's SafeWork programme.

"If terrorism took such a toll, just imagine what would be said and done." Jukka Takala, ILO

Read the story in full: Two million killed at work each year more

Related ILO publications and sources

Safety in Numbers: Pointers for a global safety culture at work, ILO Report 28 April 2003 [pdf]

Global estimates of fatalities caused by work related diseases and occupational Accidents, 2002, ILO report

"Decent work - SafeWork", ILO report, May 2002

ILO guidelines on occupational safety and health management systems (full text and summary)

More about ILO SafeWork

Hazards Workers' Memorial Day webpage