Work accidents in S. Kalimantan

BANJARMASIN, South Kalimantan: The number of occupational accidents in the region has reached 326 in the last five months, much higher than the total 296 cases throughout last year.

Head of the local manpower office Soewardi said, however, that the accidents were less serious than those of last year's.

As of last month, the accidents this year have caused two deaths, 36 physical disabilities and 288 less serious injuries. Last year, occupational accidents caused three deaths and in 1993, 12 deaths.

Soewardi said the high figure is caused by a lack of discipline and negligence of workers to use safety equipment.

He said, however, that several companies were also found to have failed to provide the appropriate safety equipment.(pwn)