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Monday, June 13, 2011
Big Facts on Workplace Accidents
The prevalence of workplace accidents is staggering: On average, 22 U.S. workers die each day from accidents.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the annual number of fatal accidents from 1994-2008 ranged from 5,071 to 6,588, and 4 million non-fatal private sector injuries were reported in 2007 alone.
The financial costs are also staggering. A 2002 report by the National Safety Council estimated that work-related injuries cost the U.S. economy $132.1 billion.
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11164/1152877-499.stm#ixzz1PBVYcK4t
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the annual number of fatal accidents from 1994-2008 ranged from 5,071 to 6,588, and 4 million non-fatal private sector injuries were reported in 2007 alone.
The financial costs are also staggering. A 2002 report by the National Safety Council estimated that work-related injuries cost the U.S. economy $132.1 billion.
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11164/1152877-499.stm#ixzz1PBVYcK4t
Labels: National Safety Council, safety statistics
posted by jarubinger
Go To This Workplace Safety Post: Read 3 Comments |
3 Comments:
I've found that the last couple of years numbers such as these are being misrepresented. Just take what is reported here. You'll find that the 22 per day number is based on 260 days per year, which excludes weekends. But work does not stop on weekends. Then take a look at the OSHA fatality reports (http://www.osha.gov/dep/fatcat/dep_fatcat.html) and you'll notice the numbers are much lower. Preventing deaths at work is extremely critical. But playing games with numbers does nothing but destroy your credibility.
The facts are horrible but workplace accidents do occur and prevention is key
A significant way to improve workplace safety is to recruit safety professionals with excellent interpersonal skills. A safety representative who is cranky and unapproachable fails to develop the teamwork that helps change attitudes and make workers more receptive to safety first in all tasks.
Yes, that person must be assertive, but some get much better cooperation than others do. A hostile workplace environment is less safe than one where the workers perception is that they work with safety leadership for a common goal, and those persons genuinely care about them.
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