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Archived News Release--Caution: information may be out of date.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Office of Public Affairs

OPA Press Release: Statement by Labor Secretary Alexis M. Herman on 1998 Workplace Injury and Illness Rates [12/16/1999]

For more information call: 202-693-1999

Workplace injury and illness rates declined for the sixth year in a row. That's good news for American workers and for American employers. Since 1973, occupational injury and illness rates have decreased 40 percent, and more than half of that decline occurred since 1993 when President Clinton took office.

Further, there's been a drop in actual injuries, too. Employment rose 3 percent in 1998, yet 200,000 fewer workers got hurt or sick on the job than in 1997.

Employers and workers are making job safety and health the top priority it has to be. As we begin a new century, let us resolve to send every worker home whole and healthy every day.

Archived News Release--Caution: information may be out of date.