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OPA News Release: [09/17/2003]
Contact Name: Ed
Frank
Phone Number: (202) 693-4676
Statement of Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao on Historic
Drop in Workplace Fatalities
WASHINGTON—U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao released
the following statement about today’s National Census of Fatal
Occupational Injuries report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics showing that the
number of workplace fatalities fell by 6.6 percent in 2002 to the lowest level
ever recorded since the survey was first completed in 1992:
“Today’s report is good news for America and demonstrates
the Administration’s strong commitment to workplace safety. Still, even
one workplace fatality is too many and we will continue to aggressively protect
workers through tough, targeted enforcement action, as well as through our
health and safety partnerships with workers, employers and unions.
“In addition to the new all-time lows in total workplace
fatalities and fatality rates, it is especially encouraging to see a six
percent decrease in fatalities among Hispanic workers after seeing increases
every year since 1995. The Department's outreach efforts, such as the Hispanic
Task Force on Worker Safety, our Spanish-language Web sites and hiring of
Spanish-speaking OSHA employees, will continue to make Hispanic workers
safer.”
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