15 January, Vitebsk /Olga Bogacheva - BELTA/. The incidence of workplace fatalities in the Vitebsk region significantly decreased in 2012 compared to the previous year, as reported to BELTA by Sergey Anufriev, First Deputy Head of the Vitebsk Regional Department of the State Labour Inspectorate of the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection. According to operational data, 18 workers died in the region due to industrial accidents last year, and 80 sustained severe injuries, representing a decrease of 43.8% and 2.4% respectively compared to 2011 levels. One fatal accident each was registered in the Liozno, Postavy, Senno, and Chashniki districts, as well as in Novopolotsk and Orsha. Two fatal accidents occurred in the Glubokoe and Polotsk districts and in Polotsk city, and six in Vitebsk city. The past year saw no fatal or severe accidents in the Dokshitsy, Dubrovno, Miory, Ushachi, and Sharkovshchina districts. Accidents resulting in severe injuries were registered in 16 districts and 4 cities of the Vitebsk region. An increase in severe injuries compared to 2011 was noted in Vitebsk city, Polotsk city, and the Senno, Vitebsk, Lepel, Orsha, Shumilino, and Beshenkovichi districts. The First Deputy Head of the Department drew particular attention to the rise in accidents with severe consequences in organisations belonging to small businesses. "In these organisations, the rate of fatal injuries increased from 2 to 4 cases last year, and severe injuries from 5 to 10 incidents," he noted. Based on the investigations of fatal accidents and preliminary data, it was established that violations of labour and occupational safety legislation were committed by both officials and employers, as well as by the victims themselves. The main causes of industrial injuries, based on the results of investigated accidents with severe consequences, were: violation of labour and production discipline and occupational safety instructions by the victims (22.3%); failure by managers and specialists to fulfil occupational safety duties (18%); deficiencies in the training and instruction of the victim on occupational safety (7.2%); victims being under the influence of alcohol (2 fatal accidents, 6 severe accidents, constituting 5.8% of the total causes); and violation of safety requirements by other employees (5.8%).