Reality Check: Taking Another Look At Workplace Fatalities
Guest Post
In an age of advanced technology, we like to think seemingly old-fashioned workplace risks such as fire and chemical poisoning are no longer a real concern. The statistics tell another story, however, with many employees falling prey to hazards they may not have even realized. The first step to keeping yourself safe from prevalent workplace hazards is knowing what they are and how they can be prevented. Detailed below are a few of the most common causes of workplace fatalities and what you can do to ensure they never occur at your place of employment.
Transportation incidents
Believe it or not, the vast majority of workplace fatalities occur as a result of transportation incidents. In fact, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics reports 42 percent of workplace fatalities in 2007 were categorized as transportation incidents.These generally involve vehicle collisions; highway incidents are reported to cause 25 percent of total workplace fatalities. Alternative forms of transportation are occasionally to blame as well.
Contact with objects and equipment
The second most common cause of death in the workplace is contact with objects and equipment. Although the total number of deaths due to contact with equipment is higher for males, the percentage of female employees dying in this manner is more than three times higher than that of males — 17 percent compared to five percent.
Exposure to harmful substances
The dangers of asbestos exposure have been well documented and publicized during the past decade, but employees and employers alike remain unaware of the hazardous nature of a litany of other harmful substances. Hazardous substances commonly encountered in the workplace include acids, pesticides, petroleum products, solvents and heavy metals. To reduce the risk of injury or death, employees working with or around harmful substances must be equipped with the appropriate safety apparel and tools.
Falls
Deadly falls occur in a variety of industries, but the Centers for Disease Control reports that falls are most prevalent in the construction industry. Conditions associated with workplace falls include slippery surfaces, holes in floors or walls, unprotected edges and ladders positioned in an unsafe manner. By taking simple measures to address the aforementioned conditions, employers can prevent the majority of workplace falls.
Fire and explosions
In 2007, fire and explosions accounted for three percent of workplace fatalities. These tragic events often occurred as a result of exposure to many of the harmful substances explained earlier. Fires and explosions are also frequently caused by electrical malfunctioning and unsafe storage practices. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration suggests workplaces comply with established standards so as to prevent future fatalities related to fire or explosion.
Over the past several years, an increasingly technological approach to industry has combined with greater hazard awareness to great effect. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the number of fatal work injuries decreased 21 percent between 2006 and 2011. However, with an estimated 4,609 deaths on the job in 2011, there is still work to be done.
A great first step is to invest in protective equipment for all employees working in potentially hazardous environments. For example, flame-resistant clothing serves as an excellent investment for employees working in law enforcement, military, firefighting and a variety of other industries including hazardous clean-up and welding. In addition to the procurement of safety devices, employers should employee hours are kept reasonable; many workplace fatalities occur as a result of short staffing and overwork.
The vast reduction of workplace fatalities in recent years indicates it is indeed possible to keep employees safe on the job. Accomplishing this end will require a concerted effort on the part of employers, employees, labor unions and government agencies.
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