Final answer:
The false statement about workplace safety is that 'Workplace accidents account for 1.7 million deaths worldwide each year,' as the WHO reports higher figures for deaths related to air pollution alone.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement about workplace safety that is false is: C. Workplace accidents account for 1.7 million deaths worldwide each year.
This statement is not accurate according to the World Health Organization (WHO) which reports that approximately 2.4 million people die each year from causes directly related to air pollution alone, and workplace accidents certainly contribute to the overall global mortality rate but not to this extent. Furthermore, occupational diseases are not outpaced only by accidental deaths when considering risks as murder is a significant cause of workplace deaths, especially for women. Rapid industrialization and lack of safety training are factual risks for occupational accidents and illnesses, aligning with the facts. It is indeed true that job-related accidents and illnesses are on the rise in developing nations due to various factors, including exposure to traditional and modern environmental hazards.