The world's most dangerous countries to work in

Which countries are the most dangerous for workers? 

In most countries around the world, employers must keep their workers safe and healthy yet some do not do such a good job of it as others. Here we look at which countries are the most dangerous to work in across the world.

Sierra Leone

In Sierra Leone, a massive 69% of workers report being seriously injured while at work. This is the highest workplace injury figure of any country in the world!

Gambia

The number of workplace injuries in Gambia is not far behind  Sierra Leone, standing at 64%. In this country, agriculture is the main sector of work.

Malawi

Malawi is also a very dangerous place to work with 62% of workers experiencing an injury or accident while at work. 

Myanmar 

One of the other most dangerous countries for workers is Myanmar where 58% of workers have experienced a serious workplace injury. Myanmar Is a dangerous country to work in where it is suffering civil unrest and armed conflict.

Liberia

The fifth most dangerous country to work in globally is Liberia. Working in Liberia means you are susceptible to armed robbery and other serious crimes that the police fail to deal with. 

Uganda

Uganda is the sixth most dangerous county to work in. Working in Uganda means putting yourself at risk of the relentless terrorist attacks which occur there.

Zambia

The seventh most dangerous country to work in the world is Zambia. A lot of petty crime occurs in this country which adds to the danger risks. 

Ghana

Ghana is the eighth most dangerous country in the world to work in. However, out of West African countries, Ghana provides many professional job opportunities so it is a popular destination for workers. 

What other countries that have a high rate accidents at work?

Although the countries above are the eight most dangerous countries to work in globally, the fatality rate of people at work is greatest in Bhutan in South Asia where 31.9 per 100,000 workers yearly die. This figure is followed closely by Timor-Ledste where 29.2 per 100,000 workers die and Nepal with 28.8. In contrast, however, Iceland, Malta and San Marino have had no fatal work accident or injury fatalities per 100,000 workers since 2008. 

Other countries that have a high rate of fatalities and accidents at work and, therefore are a dangerous country to work in are:

• Mexico
• Turkey
• Pakistan
• Portugal
• Costa Rica
• Finland
• Argentina

In Azerbaijan, for the service sector, for example, 58 per 100,000 workers dieyet in the UK only 0.13 per 100,000 workers in the service sector die as a result of an injury or accident at work. 

The least dangerous countries to work in are:

• Poland with 4% of workers suffering a serious workplace injury
• Singapore with serious workplace injuries affecting 5% of workers
• Italy with 7% of workers having had a serious injury at work

Are some industries more dangerous than others?

In addition to some countries being more dangerous than others in terms of workplace accidents and injuries, some industries are more dangerous than others. The most dangerous industries in the world to work are:

• Agriculture
• Fishing

In these industries, 34% of workers in the poorest countries have had a severe injury while at work. Also, in the fishing industry, the average fatality rate globally is 15.96 per 100,000 workers. The next most dangerous industries to work in globally are:

• construction
• manufacturing

The mining and quarrying industries are also some of the most dangerous industries where the death rate is high. In Egypt, for example, there are 75.24 fatalities per 100,000 workers.

Also, it is more common for a man to experience a serious injury at work than a woman. 23% of men have suffered a workplace accident and 14% of women have.

What are the most common workplace accidents and injuries?

Some of the most common workplace accidents and injuries in high-income countries are in the form of mental health issues as a result of workplace harassment and violence.

Does an employer have a responsibility to ensure worker safety?

All employers in all countries must abide by the health and safety laws in the country. Where these require them to keep employees healthy and safe at work, it is their responsibility to prevent workplace accidents and injuries. 

If an accident occurs, who is responsible for it?

If an accident occurs in the workplace it is usually the responsibility of the employer. In the UK, an employer has a legal duty to keep you safe and healthy when at work. Your employer has to do what is reasonably practicable to ensure this.

What should you do if you have a workplace accident?

If you have a workplace accident, the first thing you must do is to get medical help which may mean calling an ambulance or getting first aid medical attention at work. There are some other actions you should take which will help if you want to make a workplace accident claim. These include:

• telling your manager about the accident
• checking your accident is noted in the accident at work log book
• taking photos of the injury
• taking photos of the injury scene 
• Asking for witness details

Could you claim for an accident at work?

If you suffer an accident or injury in the workplace, there could be compensation owed to you. This is the case where the accident in the workplace was the fault of your employer. You can also make a claim where an employee was at fault for the accident at work as your employer is ultimately responsible for them.

Accidents at work occur in all countries and in a variety of workplace settings. You may, for example, have an office accident or an accident involving a manual labour job. Wherever your accident or injury at work occurs, National Accident Helpline can help you get the fair and just compensation award you are due. We fully  understand how necessary your compensation is for your accident at work which has had a massively negative effect on your life.

So ask us at National Accident Helpline to help you make an accident at work today.  Call , or if it is more convenient, request a call back here. You can even start your claim online.