Workplace injuries and illnesses decline

The Daily Record Newswire Workplace injuries and illnesses among private industry employers declined to a rate of 3.5 cases per 100 workers in 2010, according to recent statistics released by the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics. The rate is down from 3.6 cases per 100 workers in 2009. A total of about 3.1 million injuries and illnesses were reported among private sector industry employers in 2010, down from 3.3 million reported in 2009. "We are encouraged by the reported decline in incidence rates for workplace injuries and illnesses, which is reflective of the joint effort of government, business, unions and other organizations," Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis said in a statement about the statistics. "Nevertheless, 3.1 million injuries and illnesses in the workplace is too high. Serious injuries and illnesses can knock a working family out of the middle class. Workers should not have to sacrifice their health and safety to earn a paycheck." Solis noted that the rate of illnesses and injuries in public sector workplaces remained "alarmingly high," at 5.7 cases per 100 workers - a rate 60 percent higher than in private sector workplaces. She also noted that the statistics underscore the importance of accurate recordkeeping, and expressed concerns that poor recordkeeping practices discourage workers from reporting illnesses and injuries and results in underreporting. "Employers must know what injuries and illnesses are occurring in their workplaces in order to identify and correct systemic issues that put their workers at risk," Solis' statement said. Published: Thu, Nov 3, 2011