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Workplace safety and off-the-job injuries
October 2003
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In the United States, each year businesses have a cost of $125 billion because of non-fatal workplace injuries suffered by 6 million workers. Annually 6,000 workers die in this country from workplace injuries. Another 50,000 die from illnesses caused by exposure to workplace hazards. |
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Effective job safety and and health add value to the workplace and help reduce worker injuries and illnesses. Every man and woman have the right to have safe and healthful working conditions. |
Corporate profitability and competitiveness is not influenced only by work-related injuries but as well by the off-the-job injuries.
Employers have a vested interest in the safety and health of their employees at work and away from work. At the end of the day, companies pay a major part of the expenses associated with health problems and insurance caused by injuries suffered by employees and their families. Additionally lost productivity affects profitability.
During the last few decades significant progress has been made in reducing workplace injuries and deaths. However the overwhelming part of disabling injuries and unintentional injury deaths are unrelated to work.
| It is believed that the costs of injuries that occur away from the work are equal to or greater than the cost of work related injuries. |
The burden imposed to companies by the of-the-job injuries occurring on employees has been underestimated. For this reason no measures have been taken, to the degree that this should have been done. Corporate leaders did not realize in time that their businesses, is equally or even more affected by the off-the-job employee accidents.
Companies that offer to their employees programs promoting off-the-job safety are not numerous. Even those that do offer such education, this is not up to the level required.
The subjects that could be very useful for promoting off-the-job safety are motor vehicle safety, falls, burns, overexertion and sports injuries.
Additionally offering to the employees programs aiming at their health education could have a significant positive impact for the company. Such educational health programs could include smoking cessation, fitness training, stress management, weight control and back pain prevention.
Companies should keep records not only of the work related accidents but as well of the off-the-job injuries occurring to their employees. It may as well be useful to keep records of their employees dependants injuries.
| In the
United States, each year businesses have a cost of $125 billion because
of non-fatal workplace injuries suffered by 6 million workers.
Annually 6,000 workers die in this country from workplace injuries. Another 50,000 die from illnesses caused by exposure to workplace hazards. In 2002 more than 80% of the 20,4 million disabling injuries and 95% of the 99,500 unintentional injury deaths were unrelated to work. |
These figures show that it will be beneficial for companies to focus and intensify their efforts for injury prevention in places other than workplaces, in the homes, communities and motor vehicles.
Employers must not only recognize this serious cause of loss of productivity, profitability and competitiveness but as well take measures to promote off-the-job safety.
The number of work related deaths and injuries decreased overall thanks to intensive programs of prevention including workers safety education. If a similar approach is taken for the off-the-job safety this could be greatly beneficial for the companies and society alike.
The common causes of fatal work related injuries include vehicle accidents, moving objects, falls, electricity and drowning. Common injuries include multiple injuries, injuries to the head and body, electrocution, drowning and mechanical asphyxia.
Alcohol and drugs are contributing factors in work related injuries and death.
| Certain occupations are more dangerous than others. Those associated with higher number of fatalities are commercial pilots, fishermen and fisherwomen, forestry laborers, drilling plant operators, mining laborers, ship's pilots and deck officers, structural steel laborers, truck drivers, excavation and earthmoving machinery operators. |
The most dangerous places for work related deaths include public roads, farms, industrial or construction areas, mines or quarries, trade or service areas.
Effective job safety and health add value to the workplace and help reduce worker injuries and illnesses. Every man and woman have the right to have safe and healthful working conditions.
Employers must provide to their employees places of employment free of recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm. They should provide well maintained tools and equipment including appropriate personal protective equipment.
Bibliography:
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
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