FACTS

Facts of Unsafe Workplace Conditions

1. Defective equipment. This may include supplies and tools that are defective when they come from the manufacturer or have worn out over time and haven’t been replaced or repaired.
2. Fall hazards. Slippery surfaces, as well as falls from ladders and elevations, can lead to fall accidents.
3. Fire hazards. This also includes objects or chemicals with a risk of explosion.
4. Inadequate guards. Guards need to be in place for inherently dangerous tools and machinery
5. Dangerous air conditions and toxic fumes. If the air is contaminated, employees run the risk of being exposed to severe respiratory issues and other diseases.
6. Lack of cleaning and improper housekeeping. If the workplace is dirty and unorganized, serious injuries are more likely.

STATS

• 4,836 workers died after suffering workplace injuries in 2015, (B.L.S.)
• The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) reports that another 50,000 workers died from illnesses and occupational diseases contracted at work.
• The AFL-CIO claims older Americans and immigrant workers are among the most vulnerable people in the workplace.
  • One-third of the workers who died from workplace injuries were over the age of 55.
  • The fatality rates of workers over 65 and Latinos are notably above average as well.
  • And the number of immigrant workers killed on the job — 943 — climbed to the highest level in 10 years. This figure partially overlaps with the number of Latinos killed on the job.
• Construction workers are more likely than those in other industries to be killed on the job, with 937 dying from workplace injuries they suffered in 2015.
• MSD (musculoskeletal disorder- i.e., strains, sprains, etc.) 37.8 incidents per 10,000 workers
• Falls, slips or trips: 16.8 per 10,000 workers
• Contact with objects or equipment: 25.5 per 10,000 workers
• Overexerting one’s self while lifting/lowering: 12.4 incidents/10,000 workers
• Injuries from fire or explosion: 0.2 incidents/10,000 workers
• Exposure to harmful substances: 5.0 incidents for every 10,000 workers