The AFL-CIO released its annual Death on the Job report (.pdf file) on May 7. Here’s a look at some of the numbers from the report.
Deaths and injuries in 2011:
- 4,693 workers were killed on the job.
- An estimated 50,000 workers died from occupational diseases.
- Between 7.6 million and 11.4 million workplace injuries and illnesses are believed to have occurred.
Daily figures from 2011:
- An average of 13 workers were killed on the job.
- About 137 died from occupational diseases.
- 10,431 workers were injured or became ill.
Costs:
- The annual cost of workplace injuries and illnesses is between $250 billion and $300 billion.
- The most disabling workplace injuries cost employers $51.1 billion in direct costs in 2010.
- Businesses pay between $150 and $300 billion annually in direct and indirect costs.
OSHA penalties in fiscal year 2012:
- The average penalty for a serious violation was $2,156 for federal OSHA and $974 for State Plan states.
- In worker fatality cases, the median initial total penalty was $6,625 (federal) and $4,900 (state).
- After settlement, the median total penalty for fatality cases was $5,175 (federal) and $4,200 (state).
On OSHA inspectors:
- One federal or state OSHA inspector exists for every 66,776 workers.
- It would take federal OSHA 131 years to inspect all workplaces under its jurisdiction.
- Federal OSHA conducted 40,950 inspections in FY 2012, 325 more than the previous year.
- State Plan states conducted 51,281 inspections in FY 2012, 1,033 fewer than the previous year.
Recent rulemaking delays and their consequences:
Cranes and Derricks in Construction:
- 8 years to complete
- 22 lives lost each year of the delay
- 176 lives lost during entire rulemaking period
Hexavalent Chromium:
- 13 years to complete
- 40-145 lives lost each year of the delay
- 520-1,885 lives lost during entire rulemaking period
Silica:
- More than 15 years (rule not yet finalized)
- 60 lives lost each year of the delay
- 900 lives lost so far during entire rulemaking period
The opinions expressed in "Washington Wire" do not necessarily reflect those of the National Safety Council or affiliated local Chapters.