OSHA News

More than 10,000 workplaces spotted as risky by OSHA

(May 28, 2007)-- A 2006 survey on 80,000 worksites turned up with the figures being presented by OSHA. These about 14,000 workplaces were found out to have more than 5.3 injuries or illnesses that caused in days away from work, constrained activity at work, or job transfer (DART) for every 100 workers who are full-time or regular.

This figure is indeed very high since in 2005, the national average was only 2.4 DART instances every100 workers. The OSHA have corresponded with the employers of these worksites cited as high in
injury and illness risks by issuing notification letters.

Aside from the letter of notification, the employers were also given copies of their workplace’s illness and injury data. There is also a list of the most frequently violated OSHA standards in their industry.

The OSHA also informed the employers that they are available to assist them in turning the numbers around. Furthermore, the office offered some pointers and instructions on how to protect their employees.

They gave a suggestion that the employer make use of free safety and health consultation services of the OSHA, which was given through the states by the state workers\' compensation agencies, insurance carriers, and outside safety and health consultants.

OSHA elucidated that their issuing of notification letters to the identified worksites’ employers was a kind of pep talk. They said that it is a sensible and positive step towards making the employers’ perform the necessary measures to change the situation.

Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA, Edwin G. Foulke, Jr. further stipulated that their objective in notifying the employers is to encourage them make an effort in reducing the rates of illness and injury. It is for the employers to realize that improving the health and safety environment of their business workplaces is also a step to greater productivity.

OSHA’s identification process aims to increase awareness that many incidents of injuries and illnesses occur at these workplaces. With this, comes the challenge of persuading employers to use several means at their disposal to alleviate the hazards and eventually stamp out occupational illnesses and injuries.

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