The AFL-CIO released its' 2011 annual job safety report, called "Death on the Job". The latest numbers show that 4,340 workers were killed while trying to earn a living, an average of twelve workers every day. In addition, it is estimated that 50,000 died of occupational diseases. For the year, more than 4.1 million workplace injuries and illnesses were reported in private and state and local workplaces.
"These numbers are alarming to say the least", said Gary Allen - General Vice President of the IAM, "OSHA was passed on December 30th 1970, and we are still seeing these staggering statistics in the workplace. OSHA has been ignored in the funding battles, and doesn't have nearly the resources it needs to address such an atrocious mark on our society. People shouldn't have to put their lives on the line in order to feed their families."
The safety report estimates that since the OSH Act become law, it has saved an estimated 431,000 lives. Those numbers are certainly welcome, but the numbers of workers it didn't save is the one that hauts our memories. Last year, several major workplace tragedies made the newscasts:
- The Upper Big Branch (W.Va.) coal mine explosion that killed 29 miners
- An explosion at the Kleen Energy plant in Middletown, Conn., that killed six workers
- The explosion at the Tesoro Refinery in Washington State that killed seven workers
- The BP/Deepwater Horizon Gulf Coast oil rig explosion that killed 11 and caused a massive environmental and economic disaster
This nation must do better. Injuries, diseases, illnessses and deaths are not supposed to be a normal part of the workday.
According to the report, OSHA has just 2,218 inspectors to monitor 8 million workplaces, and even when they discover violations, the penalties for employers who violate are too small, even in cases involving worker fatalities! Despite the poor record, House Republicans are working to weaken OSHA even more, so they can help fund tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires.
This year, there will be more than a hundred vigils, rallies and memorials in 25 states, America’s working families will commemorate Workers Memorial Day and honor workers who died or were injured on the job in the past year. To find a vigil near you, or to read the entire report, visit:
http://blog.aflcio.org/2011/04/27/4340-killed-on-the-job-job-safety-laws-must-be-strengthened/
