The world's worst industrial disasters

What are industrial accidents?

Industrial accidents are accidents and injuries which occur in industrial plants, such as:

• factories
• oil rigs
• gas plants 
• mines

Unfortunately, they have been occurring since the early industrial age and many industrial accidents can be prevented. 

What types of injuries could occur in an industrial accident?

Some of the types of injuries which could occur in the workplace in an industrial accident include:

• exposure to poisonous gas
• respiratory problems
• eye irritation
• blindness
• exposure to radiation
• death
• disabling injuries

The worst industrial accidents in history? 

Below we take a look at some of the many world's worst industrial accidents throughout history. 

Bhopal Gas Tragedy

In 1984, the world's worst-ever industrial disaster occurred in India called the Bhopal Gas Tragedy. This gas leak at a pesticide plant caused approximately 15,000 to 20,000 deaths as well as 558,125 injuries.

This world's worst industrial disaster could have been avoided and eight employees of the gas plant were guilty of causing death by negligence. 

Chernobyl

You are likely familiar with the name of this Ukrainian nuclear power plant. The 1986 Chernoybl unauthorised test caused an explosion causing the deaths of 3,940 people as a result of radiation-induced cancer and leukaemia and a further 50 solely due to radiation. 

Unfortunately, this industrial disaster could have been avoided as it was caused by many human errors. 

Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

This largest oil spill disaster ever occurred in 2014 in the Gulf of Mexico. Millions of barrels of oil leaked into the sea as a result of an explosion on the oil rig. Wildlife were harmed in this industrial disaster as well as damage occurring to the environment. 

Soma Mine Disaster

In 2014, Turkey saw a coal mine explode in Soma. This industrial disaster resulted in 301 deaths and exposed the poor working conditions  and safety standards in Turkey's mining industry, 

Rana Plaza Collapse

The Rana Plaza Collapse was an industrial disaster that happened not that long ago back in 2013. Here several factories within a building collapsed causing over 1,100 deaths and many injuries to garment workers in the factories.

A lack of structural maintenance caused this industrial disaster, cheap materials and a blatant disregard towards safety by the owners. Following this industrial disaster, there were calls for improved safety for workers. 

Halifax Explosion

One of the world's worst industrial disasters took place in Canada in 1917. The Halifax Explosion was caused by two ships crashing into a fire which then led to an enormous explosion. In the immediate areas, 1,782 people died, and in addition, approximately 9,000 people were injured. 

Piper Alpha Oil Platform Disaster

This industrial disaster took place in 1988 in the North Sea. An explosion occurred on an oil platform resulting in 167 deaths of those working on it.

The cause of this world's worst industrial disaster was a gas leak and failed safety systems resulting in a fire. As a result of this industrial disaster changes were made to how oil and gas operations offshore are regulated.

The Exxon Valdez

Back in 1989, the Exxon Valdez industrial accident occurred when an oil tanker spilt crude oil into the sea. The 260,000 to 750,000 barrels killed 100,000 to 250,000 seabirds. The crew of the Valdez were to blame for this industrial disaster, one of whom was drinking before the crash.  

Who is responsible for industrial accidents?

Often industrial companies are responsible for industrial accidents. This can be due to:

• an accident, such as a human error
• negligence 
• incompetence

Therefore, if you are working for an industrial company it is likely your employer is to blame.

Industrial accidents can be caused by a variety of reasons. For example, the Chornobyl disaster was caused by:

• the wrong operating instructions
• bad training
• faulty design
• operator negligence

Who is responsible if an employee is injured in the workplace?

By law, your employer has a duty of care towards you as their worker to protect your health and safety whilst at work. This means they have to do what is reasonably practicable to prevent you from having a workplace accident or injury at work. If your employer fails to do this, they are responsible if you are injured in the workplace.

What to do if you have a workplace accident?

If you have an injury or accident in the workplace the priority should always be to get medical help for yourself and anyone else injured in the workplace accident. Once you have done this, there are other steps you should take in case you later want to make an accident at work compensation claim. These include the following:

• report  the accident in writing and ideally in any accident report book
• take photos of the accident scene and of your injury 
• ask for witness contact details
• write an account of the incident
• seek legal advice for a workplace compensation claim

If you have an accident at work you could claim compensation so you must take the right steps to get evidence to support this. 

Could you claim for an accident at work? 

When you have an injury or accident at work, you can often claim compensation. Accidents at work can occur in many different industries such as in office jobs. But industrial workplace accidents such as in factories or construction sites are very dangerous. If you have an injury at work and it was not your fault, you can make a compensation claim. 

An injury or accident in the workplace can be life-changing.  An accident at work can also prevent you from working for a long time. It is, therefore, essential that you get the compensation due to you.

So let National Accident Helpline help you make your workplace accident compensation claim today.  Call or request that we give you a call back here.  If you prefer, you can begin your claim online. 

How to make an accident at work claim?

Making an accident at work compensation claim with the National Accident Helpline is straightforward and completely stress-free. The last thing you need after an accident at work is more difficulties. Therefore, at National Accident Helpline, we make our compensation claim process simple and even let you find out how much compensation you can get through our online compensation calculator. 

When you make an accident at work claim with the National Accident Helpline, the first thing you will do is to speak with our helpful and knowledgeable advisors. They will listen to what happened in terms of your workplace injury and then pass this information on to our specialist solicitors. National Accident Helpline's experienced and highly competent legal team will immediately start progressing your workplace compensation claim. 

Did you know that at National Accident Helpline, we offer a no-win no no-fee basis for your compensation claim for an injury in the workplace? With no win no fee, you take no financial risk for your workplace accident claim. 

If you have had a workplace accident make your personal injury compensation claim with us today.  Give us a call at and begin your compensation claim. Or you could ask us to call you back here or even start your claim online.