Too Many Workers Killed or Injured on the Job

According to the Labor Statistics Bureau data  5,657 workers were killed on the job in 2007 (the most current data available). An estimated 4 million were injured.  This means that on an "average" day, 15 workers are killed on the job and more than 11,000 are injured.

The Las Vegas Sun has reported that a death on the job today costs the typical corporation only $3,675.

Most of us think that OSHA is there to enforce regulations that would reduce unnecessary injuries and deaths. Unfortunately during the last 8 years, the agency was systematically stripped of its enforcement apparatus. The Sun reports "Today federal OSHA has fewer inspectors than in 1980, with the ability on average to inspect every workplace only once every 137 years. OSHA’s stagnating budget means it has an average of $3.89 available to protect each worker in America."  For more information, click here.

Labels: osha work injury workers compensation