Source: U.S. Department of Labor
Preliminary results from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries indicate that the number of fatal work injuries last year was slightly lower than final results from 2010: 4,609 versus 4,690.
Responding to the BLS figures, Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis noted that the census is “a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done. On average, 13 workers lose their lives each and every day, and that loss ripples throughout their communities. Children, parents, brothers, sisters and neighbors all bear an enormous burden when a loved one dies on the job.
“It’s clear that we must maintain our commitment to ensuring our workplaces are safer and healthier for every American. This is a challenge that must be undertaken not just by the government but by the entire country. We know how to prevent these fatalities, and all employers must take the steps necessary to keep workers safe.”
“We will continue to collaborate with employers, workers, labor leaders, and safety and health professionals to ensure that every American who clocks in for a shift can make it home safe and sound at the end of the day,” she affirmed.