New Delhi, June 17 -- Industrial accidents continue to claim lives and livelihoods across India and South Asia despite advances in technology, regulation and management systems. Recent incidents in chemical plants, factories, mines and construction sites underscore a persistent reality: economic growth without safety is unsustainable. The challenge is not unique to India, but the scale of the problem, coupled with a large informal workforce, makes occupational safety and health (OSH) a critical national concern.

The Global Picture

The latest estimates from the International Labour Organization (ILO) reveal that nearly three million workers die every year from work-related accidents and diseases worldwide. Of these, approximately 330,000...