The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries Report, released Wednesday, shows the rate of fatal work injuries remained unchanged in regard to the overall numbers in 2018.
Although unintentional overdoses at work increased by 12 percent and suicide at work increased by 11 percent, the report showed a 14 percent decline in work-related fatal falls from heights, the lowest total since 2013.
According to OSHA, “Enforcement efforts helped abate more than 7,000 fall-related hazards in the construction industry. OSHA will continue to use BLS data for enforcement targeting within its jurisdiction to help prevent tragedies,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Occupational Safety and Health Loren Sweatt.
“Inspections for OSHA were up, and we will work with state plans so employers and workers can find compliance assistance tools in many forms or call the agency to report unsafe working conditions. Any fatality is one too many,” said Sweatt.
December 20, 2019
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