TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2024
Fewer workers are dying from hazards such as trench collapses and falls so far this year, preliminary data from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration found. According to the department, this is the lowest number of fatalities the agency is mandated to investigate since fiscal year 2017, excluding COVID-19 related deaths.
“These numbers are promising evidence that stronger enforcement and collaboration with labor and management, driven by the Biden-Harris administration’s worker-centered approach, is saving lives,” said Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health Douglas Parker. “Most striking is the improvement in areas we have focused on with employers and unions. Our state program partners have also seen improvements.”
For fiscal year 2024, federal OSHA has reportedly investigated 826 worker deaths, an 11% decrease from the 918 in 2023.
Looking at the leading cause of serious work-related injuries and fatalities in the construction industry, fatal falls investigated by the agency dropped from 234 to 198, almost a 20% decrease. State OSHA programs, pending validation, found 15% fewer fatalities in state jurisdictions.
For trench collapses, national reporting from both federal and state agencies reportedly shows worker deaths declining almost 70% since calendar year 2022. Fatalities decreased from 39 in 2022 to 15 in 2023 and, to date, 12 in calendar year 2024.
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Fewer workers are dying from hazards such as trench collapses and falls so far this year, preliminary data from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration found. |
“While fewer workers have died from the hazards OSHA investigates, we still lose more than 5,000 workers each year in largely preventable incidents. While we’re proud of this progress, our work is far from over. Reducing worker deaths means embracing an approach that makes worker health and safety a core value in every workplace. Only then can we fully address all the causes and factors that lead to workers dying needlessly on the job,” added Parker.
The agency adds that these decreases follow outreach and education by OSHA and industry partners, including the National Emphasis Program on Falls. Additionally, this included state plans and enforcement of a “zero tolerance” policy for unprotected trenches, including immediate inspections and referrals for criminal prosecution where warranted.
2023 Top 10 Violation List
At the end of last year, OSHA revealed its annual top 10 most frequently cited workplace safety standards for fiscal year 2023. Fall Protection – General Requirements remained at the top of the list for the 13th year in a row, followed by Hazard Communication and Ladders once again.
The preliminary data was presented by OSHA Region 6 Administrator Eric Harbin during the 2023 National Safety Council 2023 Safety Congress and Expo. The fiscal year ended on Sept. 30.
The Top 10 most frequently cited standards for FY 2023 were:
Tagged categories: Accidents; Construction; Department of Labor; Fall protection; Fatalities; Health and safety; Labor; OSHA; OSHA; Safety; Worker training; Workers
