On-The-Job Deaths Declined in 2012

Fatal workplace accidents in Kentucky and across the country dropped seven percent in 2012, according to new national numbers.

But some industries – like gas, oil and construction – saw a rise in worker deaths.

And in the growing field of wireless communications, 10 workers died in falls from cellular towers and three more were seriously injured.

Last year, 4,383 workers died from work-related injuries, says the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This was down from 4,693 job deaths in 2011.

“I am greatly encouraged by the reduction in workplace fatalities, even in a growing economy,” said Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez in an online statement. “Workers in this country have the right to return home safe and healthy at the end of a work day. Despite that right, poor safety conditions cause thousands of people each year to lose their lives at work.”

According to BLS figures, the rate of fatal workplace injuries fell from 3.5 per 100,000 full-time workers in 21011 to 3.2 per 100,000 workers in 2011.

Rise in Construction Site Deaths

The rise in deaths in oil, gas and construction is attributed mostly to large job gains in those industries.

Fatal injuries in private-sector construction increased five percent to 775 in 2012 (up from 738 a year earlier), even though total hours worked in the construction industry rose only one percent, according to the numbers.

This halts a favorable trend. Construction deaths had been declining for five consecutive years. Overall, they are down 37 percent since 2006.

Deaths at oil and gas extraction sites rose 23 percent to a record 138.

From The Wall Street Journal:

In an effort to improve the numbers, [OSHA] has undertaken multiple outreach and educational initiatives, including a campaign to prevent falls in construction. It also is planning a nationwide, voluntary safety training and jobsite inspection day in the onshore oil and gas exploration and production industry, which will be co-sponsored by employers.

But Mr. Perez also signaled tough enforcement ahead. He said the agency is committed to preventing “these needless deaths,” and employers must meet “their legal and moral obligation to send their workers home safe every single day.”

The families of men and women who are killed on the job can file claims for Kentucky workers’ compensation benefits.

Sources:

• Occupational Safety and Health Administration https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=NEWS_RELEASES&p_id=24603
• The Wall Street Journal http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323665504579029191263090008.html