By Priscilla Kohl, HRTool Staff Writer
The U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics released its final count for work-related fatalities that occurred in 2006. According to their data, the United States sustained 5,840 work fatalities in 2006. As stated in its Revisions to the 2006 Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) file, “The overall 2006 fatality rate for the U.S. was revised upward from 3.9 per 100,000 employed workers to 4.0 per 100,000 employed workers.”
The states with the highest work fatality rates are California, Texas and Florida. (Figures for 2007 are not yet published.)
In its “National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries in 2006,” the U.S. Department of Labor reports that certain occupations experienced higher fatality rates than others. Selected occupations with high fatality rates in the United States for 2006 are listed below. Fatality rates given are per 100,000 workers.
- Fishers and related fishing workers: 141.7
- Aircraft pilots and flight engineers: 87.8
- Logging workers: 82.1
- Structural iron and steel workers: 61.0
- Refuse and recyclable material collectors: 41.8
- Farmers and ranchers: 37.1
- Electrical power-line installers and repairers: 34.9
- Roofers: 33.9
- Driver/sales workers and truck drivers: 27.1
- Miscellaneous agricultural workers: 21.7
The report also explained that aircraft-related fatalities were up by 44 percent due to a number of multiple fatality events including the August 2006 Comair crash. Falls from roofs accounted for 184 deaths, a rise of 15 percent from 2005.
Take Preventive Measures First
Work fatalities are devastating to everyone concerned, particularly for the families and loved ones left behind. It is too late for the deceased worker when hazardous or unsafe conditions are acknowledged and remedied after a tragedy occurs. The way to manage unhealthy or unsafe conditions is by taking preventive measures starting today.
Of course, business owners want to provide a safe working environment for their workers. They also have a moral and legal responsibility to protect the health and safety of their employees. Anyone who has been in a car accident caused by a split-second wrong decision or by not taking preventive safety measures (replacing worn tires, faulty brakes, etc.) knows how costly accidents can be. Likewise, well-managed business safety programs are in the owner’s best interest. Injuries, accidents and workplace deaths can ruin a company’s financial situation and reputation. In addition, federal and state penalties and/or fines may be levied against a business for workplace accidents or mishaps.
The positive news is that health and safety programs can bring numerous financial benefits such as lower workers’ compensation insurance rates and reduced medical expenses. If your business employs workers, especially in a high-hazard worksite, you will want to pay particular attention to federal and respective state programs, laws and regulations. A good place to start is with OSHA. Their Web site has a section developed especially for small business. They also provide free and confidential onsite consultation services.
As a safety professional once said during a workplace-safety presentation, “If you can't find the time to do it right, when will you find the time to do it over? If you don't have time to do it safe, do you have time to do it with a man or woman down?”
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