OSHA Notifies Workplaces with High Injury and Illness Rates
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Thursday, April 23, 2009 |
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The
Occupational Safety and Health Administration has notified more than
13,500 employers nationwide that their injury and illness rates are
considerably higher than the national average.
A letter sent
this month to those employers explained that the notification was a
proactive step to encourage employers to take action now to reduce
these rates and improve safety and health conditions in their
workplaces.
"Employers whose businesses have injury and illness
rates this high need to take immediate steps to protect their workers,"
said acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Jordan Barab. "Our
goal is to make employers aware of their high injury and illness rates
and to get them to eliminate hazards in their workplace. To help them
in this regard, OSHA offers free assistance programs to help employers
better protect the safety and health of their workers."
OSHA
identified businesses with the nation's highest rates of workplace
injuries and illnesses through employer-reported data from a 2008
survey of 80,000 worksites (this survey collected injury and illness
data for calendar year 2007). Workplaces receiving notifications had
rates more than twice the national average among all U.S. workplaces
for injuries resulting in days away from work, restricted work
activity, or job transfer.
Employers receiving the letters were
also provided copies of their injury and illness data, along with a
list of the most frequently cited OSHA standards for their specific
industry. The letter offered assistance in helping to reduce these
numbers by suggesting, among other things, the use of free OSHA safety
and health consultation services provided through the states, state
workers' compensation agencies, insurance carriers, or outside safety
and health consultants.
Occupational Safety and Health Law
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