Ministry of Labor Releases Occupational Fatality Stats for First Three Quarters: Construction Deaths Rise to 102, Fab Safety Prioritized

On November 3, the Ministry of Labor released occupational fatality statistics for the first three quarters of 115. Total industrial fatalities dropped 9% year-on-year to 193. However, construction fatalities rose by 9 to 102, with falls causing 62% of the deaths. By region, New Taipei City (31) and Kaohsiung City (27) recorded the highest totals, both increasing by 6 deaths compared to the same period last year. Nearly nine-tenths of construction fatalities occurred in private building projects, including 20 in factory and office construction (7 in high-tech plant projects, 4 of which were within science parks). Over seven-tenths of the deceased were subcontractor workers. In response, the Ministry plans inter-agency inspections, third-party safety supervision, and specialized audits of high-tech plant sites, and has amended inspection guidelines for Articles 26 and 27 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act to tighten multi-tier subcontracting oversight.

Key takeaways

• Fatalities across all industries fell 9% to 193 in the first three quarters of 115, but construction deaths rose to 102, with falls causing 62%.
• New Taipei City (31) and Kaohsiung City (27) had the most fatalities, each up by 6 year-on-year, while Taichung and Changhua each fell by 11.
• Nearly nine-tenths of construction deaths occurred in private projects, with 20 in factory and office builds (7 in tech fabs); over seven-tenths were subcontractor workers.
• Measures include inter-agency joint inspections, third-party supervision, tech plant safety audits, and amended enforcement guidelines for subcontracting management under Articles 26 and 27 of the OSH Act.