An estimated 2.34 million people die each year from work-related accidents and diseases. Of these, about 2.02 million die from a wide range of work-related diseases. This is according to the International Labour Organization (ILO) report, “The Prevention of Occupational Diseases, in line with the celebration of World Day for Safety Health at Work on April 28, 2013.

Deaths and injuries take a particularly heavy toll in developing countries, where a large part of the population is engaged in hazardous activities, such as agriculture, construction, fishing, and mining.

Each year, thousands of workers become victims of diseases that can be fatal without proper treatment. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), silicosis – a lung disease caused by the inhalation of crystalline silica dust – is one of the common health problems experienced by workers in rock quarries.

2013 © Manila Bulletin