January 2024 Volume 3 | Issue 4:
2022 Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries sees 5.7% increase
BLS ISSUES ITS 2022 FINDINGS
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has released its National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries. In 2022, there were 5,486 fatal injuries recorded, a 5.7% increase from 2021’s 5,190 fatal injuries. The census also found that in the United States, a worker dies every 96 minutes. Additionally, unintentional overdoses increased 13.1 % and continues an upward trend since 2012. The fatal injury rate for Black or African American workers and for Hispanic or Latino workers also increased in this census. Fatalities due to exposure to temperature extremes increased 18.6 percent in 2022.
OSHA issues a statement on the BLS findings
Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Doug Parker issued a statement on Dec. 19, 2023, regarding the BLS findings. Here is Parker’s statement, in part:
“Today’s announcement by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of a 5.7 percent increase in fatal occupational injuries is a sobering reminder of the important work we must do, especially for Black and Hispanic workers who saw the largest increase in workplace fatalities,” said Parker. “The BLS census also finds work-related overdoses and suicides continue to be causes of great concern, and they are another call to action for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, employers and other stakeholders to address these very serious issues. Mental health must be part of overall worker safety and health.”
Where can I get more information on this?
The BLS release can be found here.
Parker’s full statement can be found here.
All BLS occupational illness, injuries, and fatalities information can be found here.
More information on heroin/opioids can be found on our union’s member resources page.
OSHA HAS RESOURCES FOR WINTER WEATHER
Noting the increase in temperature extremes fatalities in the BLS data, OSHA has a resource available to all! Although OSHA does not have a specific standard that covers working in cold environments, employers have a responsibility to provide workers with employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards, including winter weather related hazards, which are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to them. Outdoor work requires proper preparation, especially in severe winter weather conditions. Employers should, therefore, train workers on the hazards of the job and safety measures to use, such as engineering controls and safe work practices, that will protect workers’ safety and health.
What should employers do?
REACH OUT TO US
What would you be interested in reading about in the Safety Net? Reach out to us!
We love hearing from you!
More importantly, readers truly enjoy and connect with member-submitted content. The Safety Net’s mission is to strengthen CSEA’s safety network and gain visibility to encourage CSEA members to take part/have a role in improving their workplace conditions. What better way to build a network and inspire each other than to hear from one another and learn in the process? What’s your story? We would love to hear it! Share your content, which could simply be a safety-related quote/slogan, meme, or photo. You may also submit your own written content; tell us about a particular experience, success story, or give a shoutout to a CSEA member/committee/local or unit that deserves some recognition! Please note that all content must be original or attributed to the original source.
*All participants receive a prize!
GET INVOLVED
Be an Advocate for Safety: Help Rebuild CSEA’s Safety Network!
Print the Safety Net newsletter in bulletin format: cseany.org/safetynet
Show us a photo of the newsletter bulletin posted in your workplace to receive a prize!
*Email any submissions and ideas to osh@cseainc.org.
MEMBER RESOURCES: OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY & HEALTH
Materials & Publications
View/download – A-Z list of fact sheets: cseany.org/safety-resources
Request Free Prints: Publications Order Form
Workshop Trainings & Webinars
View/Watch – webinar trainings: cseany.org/osh-webinars
CSEA Occupational Safety & Health (OSH) Specialists
Have a general safety concern?
Contact your OSH Specialist here: cseany.org/member-support
WORKERS’ COMPENSATION
Hurt at Work?
CSEA endorses the law firm of Fine, Olin and Anderman
Get started now by clicking https://www.foalaw.com/csea-members/
Or call at 855-637-1207
SUBSCRIBE TODAY
|
Do you have co-workers who might want to subscribe? Share this newsletter with them and have them scan this QR code to subscribe. |
|
|
The Safety Net is published by the Occupational Safety and Health Department of CSEA, AFSCME, Local 1000, AFL-CIO. |