Workplace Safety

It would seem logical that work place safety would make for a simple proposition. Everyone deserves to return home from work safely at the end of the day; however, it is estimated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) that 4,405 workers in the United States suffered fatal injuries in 2013.  (OSHA, 15) That is close to 4 workers dying each day of the year during 2013. Below is a chart of the major events that caused the death of the worker, which demonstrates that transportation incidents are the leading cause of fatalities. For in depth analysis of this topic in chart form please follow the link below.

http://www.bls.gov/iif/oshwc/cfoi/cfch0012.pdf


In addition to fatalities, there were 3.3 cases per 100 full-time workers in the United States reporting occupational injury that required for more that first aid, as defined by OSHA.

http://www.bls.gov/iif/oshwc/osh/os/osch0052.pdf
The following quote from the OSHA website sums it up succinctly. “Making a living shouldn't have to cost you your life. Workplace fatalities, injuries, and illness are preventable. Safe jobs happen because employers make the choice to fulfill their responsibilities and protect their workers. “ Dr. David Michaels Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health. https://www.osha.gov/dep/fatcat/dep_fatcat.html 

This mission of this blog will be to focus on the basic premise that employees deserve a safe work place to earn their living, while also looking at the challenges faced by employers in providing the appropriate training, overcoming obstacles to safety initiatives and the process of developing or sustaining a safety program. It will also provide me with an opportunity to explore and educate myself in the processes surrounding work place safety and the successful implementation of those programs.

Thank you for visiting. Please share your thoughts on the subject.