The November 1 OSHA Update had an article on reduced injury rates. In 2010 “there were 3.1 million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses among private industry employers.” Over 3 million injuries in one year! To me, that sounded like a very large number. Until I read the rest of the article. In 1994, that number was double — 6.8 million.
The article quoted Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis, who I think said it well: “We are encouraged by the reported decline in incidence rates for workplace injuries and illnesses, which is reflective of the joint effort of government, business, unions and other organizations. Nevertheless, 3.1 million injuries and illnesses in the workplace are too high. Serious injuries and illnesses can knock a working family out of the middle class. Workers should not have to sacrifice their health and safety to earn a paycheck.”