Turkey plans decisive action to end shipyard accidents

"The radical measures, which are needed, must be taken by responsible people. The Labor Ministry is doing what needs to be done," said Celik, adding that a technical report regarding this latest incident was being prepared.

Three workers were killed and twelve others were injured in an accident that occurred at Gisan Shipyard in the Tuzla on Monday.

The accident happened when a lifeboat that employees were on broke free during the test run. The lifeboat landed upside down in the water and employees were trapped by the safety harnesses they were wearing as a precaution.

This latest incident was not a typical accident due to the relations between the employer and the workers, Celik also said. An engineering mistake has been blamed for the accident, he added.

A total of 102 workers have died at the shipyard since 1992. The sub-contracting system and noncompliance with the occupational safety regulations in shipyard operations are seen as the major causes of the deaths in Tuzla.

Most of the work in Tuzla is outsourced to smaller companies, which have been accused of employing untrained workers and adopting poor safety practices.

Photo: AA