Working World

Many of us might find OSHA requirements tedious, time consuming and expensive to implement. Still, it is hard to argue with success.

In calendar year 2007, as reported on Oct. 23, 2008, rates for injury and illness were the lowest that the Bureau of Labor Statistics has ever reported. Since 2003, the rate at which employees suffered a recordable injury has decreased by 16 percent. The Days Away/Restricted case rate — which measures employees who are absent from work, restricted, or transferred as a result of a workplace injury or illness — has declined by 19.2 percent during the same period.

Better yet, fatalities are also down. In 2007, lethal work injuries were 3.7 per 100,000 employees. This statistic marks the all-time low since the BLS began its Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries in 1992. The fatality rate for Hispanic workers alone has decreased by 12 percent since 2002.

The Department of Labor credits its practice of targeting industries and employers that experience the greatest number of workplace injuries and illness. In 2008, there were 38,591 inspections; 121 resulted in a penalty over $100,000. The department will continue its scrutiny in industries of emphasis including landscaping, oil and gas field services, and construction, including residential, commercial, and highway, street and bridgework.

Are the numbers just more statistics? Definitely not. Suppose, for just one example, that you work in a microwave popcorn processing plant. Because of OSHA intervention in 2007, you now have protection against exposure to harmful butter-flavoring chemicals. OSHA inspections and interventions mean that you have a safer workplace.