200 Work Accidents and Four Deaths Reported Since January
Bahrain recorded 200 work-related accidents and four deaths between January and August this year, according to figures presented during a labour safety workshop.
The figures were announced at a workshop organised by the Labour Training and Awareness Committee of the Free Federation of Bahrain Trade Unions under the title “Reporting Work Accidents and Injuries and Determining Disability Rates and Compensation.” The event was attended by 35 workers and trainees.
The workshop featured Zahra Hashem from the Occupational Safety and Health Inspection Department at the Ministry of Labour, Dr. Wafa Al Jowder, Deputy Head of the Medical Committees at the Ministry of Health, and Zainab Isa, Senior Insurance Benefits Specialist at the Social Insurance Organization.
The speakers stressed the importance of reporting workplace injuries within the legally specified deadlines to protect workers’ rights to medical treatment and compensation.
Four deaths recorded
Hashem said the Ministry of Labour recorded 200 work accidents and four deaths from January to August.
She said accident reports are received from several sources, including the Ministry of Interior, the Social Insurance Organization and injured workers.
She stressed that reporting accidents helps identify their causes, prevent similar incidents and ensure injured workers receive the treatment and compensation to which they are entitled.
Employers are also required to report injuries to the relevant authorities within the prescribed deadlines and complete the necessary documentation to ensure the injury is officially registered and the worker’s insurance rights are protected.
What counts as a work injury?
- Accidents while performing work duties
- Incidents while travelling to or from work on the normal route
- Certain incidents during breaks or meal periods
- Work-related conditions such as heatstroke and heat exhaustion
Reporting deadlines
- 24 hours: Deaths and serious injuries
- 10 days: Work-related diseases
- 15 days: Injuries causing seven consecutive days of absence
Disability assessment
- Assessment is made after the worker’s condition stabilises
- Depending on the injury, assessment can take 6 months to 2 years
- Head and major nerve injuries may require up to 2 years
Compensation Guide
- No disability: No disability compensation
- 1%–29% disability: One-time compensation
- 30% or more: Work-injury disability pension
- 20% disability: BD3,456 in the example provided
- 40% disability: BD192 monthly pension in the example provided
200 work accidents were recorded in Bahrain from January to August, including four deaths. The Social Insurance Organization recorded 20–30 work injuries in July, including one serious case. Failure to meet reporting deadlines can result in fines of BD50 to BD200.
Related Posts