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OPA News Release: [04/10/2002]
Contact Name: Sue
Hensley
Statement of Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao
On Loss of Workdays Due
To Injury and Illness
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao released the
following statement today about the 2000 Lost Work Day Injury and Illness data
released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics:
"Today's announcement is more good news for workers, their families and
their employers. The number of workers with injuries and illnesses
requiring
time away from work edged down, continuing the steady drop since 1992
when the Bureau of Labor Statistics first started collecting this data.
“But the good news is tempered by the fact that truck drivers,
laborers, nursing aides and other hard working employees continue to suffer
high rates of injuries and illnesses on the job. Their safety and health is
important to all of us, and we must continue to find ways to reduce hazards and
improve their working conditions.
“More work is needed in reducing falls, assaults on health care
workers and injuries resulting from repetitive motion. While the number of
workers suffering musculoskeletal disorders has continued to drop, we are
determined to accelerate that decline and reduce both the number and the rate
of these often painful and disabling disorders.
“OSHA’s new four-point ergonomics plan, announced last week,
will reduce ergonomic injuries in the shortest possible timeframe. The plan
– guidelines, strong enforcement, new research, and compliance assistance
– will successfully reduce injuries and illnesses in workplaces across
America.”
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