Shipbreaking deaths fall sharply in 2025, but accidents remain widespread: BILS

Worker fatalities in Bangladesh's shipbreaking sector dropped to just four in 2025, continuing a steady decline over recent years, but workplace accidents and injuries remained alarmingly high, the Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies (BILS) said in its annual report.

The BILS unveiled the findings on occupational safety and health at an event in a Chattogram hotel today (22 December), noting that deaths in shipbreaking yards have fallen from an average of 15 a year until 2020, to nine annually over the next four years, and further down to four in 2025.

Despite the improvement in fatalities, the report said accidents remain widespread. The sector recorded 49 workplace accidents during the year, injuring 62 workers. Of these incidents, 31 were classified as serious, accounting for about 63% of all accidents. Four accidents injured multiple workers at once, while 14 were considered minor.

More than 70% of the victims were cutter helpers, cuttermen, fitters and workers engaged in wire-related tasks, underscoring the risks faced by frontline manual workers in shipbreaking yards.

Serious accidents included limb loss or crushing injuries, bone fractures, severe burns from fires and explosions, and cases resulting in permanent disability. Minor accidents largely involved cuts, temporary injuries and wounds caused by nails or metal debris.

Fatalities occurred in 8% of total accidents in 2025, caused mainly by severe heavy injuries and falls into tanks. BILS said all fatal incidents were preventable with proper safety measures.

Photo: Courtesy

An analysis of accident types showed that falling heavy iron, liners or girders accounted for 35% of accidents. Gas or oxygen explosions made up 20%, a higher share than in previous years. Falls from height and crane-related incidents each accounted for 15%, while cutting and grinding work caused 10%. Other types of incidents made up the remaining 5%.

The report also detailed the nature of injuries sustained by workers. Injuries to the legs were the most common, accounting for 40% of cases. Hands and fingers were injured in 30% of accidents, while head and face injuries made up 15%. Eye and ear injuries accounted for 10%, and injuries to the chest, waist and neck were reported in 5% of cases.

Around 61% of accidents occurred during daytime operations, mainly during cutting, loading and heavy iron work. The remaining 39% took place at night, often due to poor lighting, worker fatigue and lack of supervision.

Seasonal trends were also evident. The report found fewer accidents between January and May, with incidents rising sharply from July to November. In 2024, only one worker died in the first half of the year compared with six deaths in the second half, a pattern linked to monsoon conditions and increased work pressure.

Speakers at the event urged stricter enforcement of safety standards, improved supervision and better training to prevent avoidable injuries and deaths in the shipbreaking industry.

Tapan Dutta, convener of the Shipbreaking Workers Trade Union Forum and a member of the Labour Reform Commission, labour leaders and officials, including AM Nazim Uddin of the Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal, Romana Akter from the Department of Labour, Kulsuma Akter Soma of the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments, YPSA coordinator Mohammad Ali Shahin, BILS centre coordinator Fazlul Kabir Mintu and BSBRA assistant secretary Nazmul Hasan were present at the event.