Secretary Solis Reports on Decline in Workplace Injuries and Illnesses
From OSHA QuickTakes –
Results from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (http://www.bls.gov/iif/oshsum.htm) released Oct. 21 show there were about 400,000 fewer nonfatal occupational illnesses and injuries reported by private industry employers in 2009 than in the previous year. Of the 3.3 million illnesses and injuries reported in all industries, the manufacturing industry showed the largest decline in cases since 2003. The number fell by 23 percent (161,000 cases) while the rate of reportable injuries and illnesses for every 100 workers dropped by 14 percent. The construction industry reported a 22 percent decline (71,700 fewer cases) with a corresponding drop of more than six percent in the workplace injuries and illnesses rate.
In response to the BLS findings, Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis issued the following statement: “Complete and accurate workplace injury records can serve as the basis for employer programs to investigate injuries and prevent future occurrences. Most employers understand this and do their best to prevent worker injuries, but some do not. That is why my department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration is aggressively working to ensure the completeness and accuracy of injury data compiled by the nation’s employers. We are concerned about the widespread existence of programs that discourage workers from reporting injuries, and we will continue to issue citations and penalties to employers that intentionally under-report workplace injuries.”