Agency notifies 15,000 workplaces with highest injury, illness rates

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration recently sent a letter to approximately 15,000 workplaces with the highest number of injuries and illnesses resulting in days away from work, restricted work activities or job transfers, known as the DART rate.

The agency identified businesses with the nation's highest rates of workplace injuries and illnesses through employer-reported data from a 2009 survey of about 100,000 work sites. This survey collected injury and illness data for calendar year 2008. Workplaces receiving notifications had DART rates more than twice the national average among all U.S. workplaces.

Employers receiving the letters were provided copies of their injury and illness data, along with a list of the most frequently cited OSHA standards for their specific industry. The letter suggested, among other things, small businesses use OSHA's free safety and health consultation services provided through the states to reduce workplace injuries and illnesses.

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"Receipt of this letter means that workers in that particular establishment are being injured at a higher rate than in most other businesses of its kind in the country," said David Michaels, assistant secretary of labor for OSHA. "Employers whose businesses have injury and illness rates this high need to take immediate steps to protect their workers."

OSHA's consultation program helps employers with 250 or fewer workers address safety and health in the workplace. This program is administered by a state agency and operated separately from OSHA's enforcement program. The service is free and confidential, and there are no fines even if problems are found. Designed for small employers, the consultation program can help an employer identify hazards while finding effective and economical solutions for repairing them. In addition, the OSHA state consultant can assist in developing and implementing a safety and health management system for the workplace.

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May 10, 2010

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