Study on the reporting of occupational accidents of medium scale tea industry in Sri Lanka

Abstract

According to the Research conducted in Sweden found that underreporting of occupational injuries is 50% higher among precariously employed workers compared to those in standard employment relationships. This underreporting may represent unrecognized injuries that especially burden precariously employed workers, shifting financial, health, and social consequences from the employer to the employee. The total number of injuries caused by work is likely underestimated. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), there are over 250 million occupational accidents annually, with a fatality rate of 14.0 per 100,000 workers. Accurate accident recording and reporting are critical for improving workplace safety, yet many occupations remain uncovered by existing legal frameworks. The Factories Ordinance No. 45 of 1942 in Sri Lanka, for example, does not include commercial driving, illustrating the inadequacies in the country's occupational safety laws. Through a mixed-methods approach involving surveys, and interviews, the study seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding of current reporting practices and their deficiencies. The findings will inform policy recommendations and practical solutions to improve accident reporting systems, ultimately contributing to better occupational safety and worker protection in Sri Lanka’s tea industry.