The standards of safety in most Polish industries are at a scandalously
low level, with about 150 accidents reported daily. Within the last few
days, three workers were reported dead when part of a liquefied sulfur
pipe was gutted in Dabrowa Gornicza. Earlier a similar accident in Lodz
claimed two laborers. In the last six months, 71,000 workers have been
injured at work, a figure larger by hundreds than in the same period
last year. The death toll stands at 270, which is scores higher
year-on-year. According to the Central Statistical Office (GUS), most of
the deaths resulted from falls from high buildings. Such building site
accidents occur mainly in regions of high unemployment, where
constructors are reluctant to invest in safety measures.
(Rzeczpospolita, p. A5). S.M.
