|
U.S. Department of Labor | |
||||
| Occupational Safety & Health Administration | ||||||
 |
|
OSHA News Release
2003 - 02/24/2003 - OSHA IDENTIFIES WORKPLACES WITH HIGHEST INJURY AND ILLNESS RATES |
OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
|
TRADE NEWS RELEASE February 24, 2003 Contact: Bill Wright Phone: (202) 693-1999 OSHA IDENTIFIES WORKPLACES WITH HIGHEST INJURY AND ILLNESS RATES Construction Industry Included in the Injury and Illness Survey WASHINGTON -- The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is alerting 14,200 employers across the country that their injury and illness rates are higher than average and encouraged them to take steps to reduce hazards and protect their workers. This year marks the first time the construction industry was included in the notification. "The purpose of the notification process is to alert employers that their injury and illness rates are above average," said OSHA Administrator John Henshaw, "and then offer assistance that will help reduce those rates. This process not only raises awareness among employers of their higher than average injury and illness rates, but it also affords them a golden opportunity to take steps to reduce those rates." OSHA identified establishments with the nation's highest lost workday injury and illness rates based on data reported by 93,000 employers surveyed by the agency last year (that survey collected injury and illness data from calendar year 2001). This was the first year the data collection initiative included the construction industry (13,000 construction employers were surveyed). Workplaces receiving the alert letters had six or more injuries or illnesses resulting in lost workdays or restricted activity for every 100 full-time workers. Nationwide, the average U.S. workplace had just under three lost-time instances for every 100 workers. Henshaw sent letters to all employers with high injury and illness rates, and provided copies of their injury and illness data, along with a list of the most frequently violated OSHA standard for their specific industry. While addressing his concerns for the high rates, Henshaw also offered the agency's help in turning those rates around, suggesting, among other things, the hiring of outside safety and health consultants, and using free safety and health consultation services provided by the agency through the states. "The data collection initiative, which is conducted each year, gives us a clearer picture of those establishments with higher than normal injury and illness rates," said Henshaw. "Armed with this information, we'll not only be able to place our inspection resources where they're most needed, but we can also use the information to plan outreach and compliance assistance programs where they will benefit the most." The 14,200 sites are listed alphabetically, by state, on OSHA's website at: http://www.osha.gov/as/opa/foia/hot_9.html. The list does not designate those earmarked for programmed inspections. Also, the sites listed are those in states covered by federal OSHA; the list does not include employers in the 21 states and two territories that operate OSHA-approved state plans covering the private sector. OSHA is dedicated to assuring worker safety and health. Safety and health add value to business, the workplace and life. For more information, visit www.osha.gov. (NOTE: A list of the industry groups in the OSHA 2002 Data Initiative follows this release). The Standard Industrial Classification codes for
the 93,000 establishments covered in the OSHA 2002 survey
U.S. Labor Department news releases are accessible on the Internet at www.dol.gov. The information in this release will be made available in alternative format upon request (large print, Braille, audio tape or disc) from the COAST office. Please specify which news release when placing your request. Call 202-693-7773 or TTY 202-693-7755. |
|
OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
 Back to Top |
www.osha.gov | www.dol.gov |
Contact Us | Freedom of Information Act | Customer Survey Privacy and Security Statement | Disclaimers |
||
| Occupational Safety & Health Administration 200 Constitution Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20210 |
||
