|
 Printer-Friendly Version
Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
For more information call: (202) 219-8211
Americans continue to enjoy the benefits of a healthy, robust economy.
Unemployment rates are their lowest in a quarter century. But the sad fact is
that occupational fatality rates remain unchanged. Over 6,200 working men and
women died on the job last year. No workers should be forced to choose between
their lives and their livelihoods.
The largest number of fatalities occurred in the construction industry
where falls were especially prevalent. Transportation-related fatalities and
deaths due to farming accidents were also unacceptably high. We know more must
be done to protect America's hard working men and women.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration(OSHA) is putting its
emphasis on reducing hazards in industries with the highest rates of injuries,
illnesses and fatalities. The agency's five-year strategic plan focuses on
industries where fatality rates are especially high and improved safety and
health conditions are essential.
Let us not forget that fatality statistics are not merely numbers. They
are our families, friends, co-workers and neighbors who got up and went to work
one morning but never came home. I will continue to do everything I can to
protect them.
# # #
Note: The U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics today
released a report entitled: National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries,
1997.
Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
| 
