Louisiana scored a major victory for workplace safety recently in the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s 2011 Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses. The state’s rate of private industry work-related injuries and illnesses was the best since OSHA revised its record-keeping rules in2002.
The survey uses a measure of non-fatal work-related injuries per 100 full-time workers to measure safety across the nation. Currently the national average is 3.5 injuries per 100 workers. This year saw private industry injuries and illnesses in Louisiana drop to 2.5 per 100 workers, well below the national average and even lower than Louisiana’s previous average of 2.7 per 100.
Credit for this decrease goes mostly to employers and workers who make safety a priority and work together to reduce injury rates. The Louisiana Workforce Commission supports those efforts by directing its safety consultation resources to industries with higher accident rates, helping those employers protect their workers and reduce injuries.
Several sectors showed significant improvement in workplace safety. The arts, entertainment and recreation sector showed the biggest decrease, falling by 1.8 per 100.The wholesale trade, professional, scientific, and technical services sectors all had incidence rates fall by 0.7 per 100 workers. Other sectors showing significant improvement were:
- Retail trade
- Transportation
- Warehousing
- Construction
If you or a loved one have suffered serious injury in an on-the-job accident, it is important to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney. They can help you navigate state and federal law regarding workplace safety and help you pursue any appropriate claims for damages.
Source: KNOE, “OSHA lauds Louisiana’s low injury rate on the job,” Oct. 30, 2012
