Employers – Reevaluate Your Safety Program Annually
For the third year in a row, North Carolina has seen an increase in workplace fatalities. In fiscal year 2004, 87 workers were killed. This is an increase from 84 fatalities in 2003 and 82 fatalities in 2002. Half of these individuals died in construction related accidents. One-third died in manufacturing accidents. The most common cause of death in the workplace was an employee being struck or crushed by an object. Fall-related deaths were the second most common cause of death.
Special emphasis education programs targeting the state’s Hispanic population have significantly reduced the percentage of Hispanics involved in fatal accidents. In 2002, 26% of the fatalities were Hispanic. By 2004, that number had dropped to 18%. Caucasian workers accounted for 68% of fatalities in 2004, and African American workers accounted for 14% of all fatalities.
The most recent statistics from the North Carolina Department of Labor illustrate a current emphasis on the construction industry, the single greatest source of workplace fatalities in North Carolina. In the last reported year of inspection activities, the North Carolina Department of Labor conducted 1,916 inspections resulting in 7,931 citations and monetary penalties totaling $1,382,709.00. Of these, 64% of citations were issued for violations of safety regulations involving scaffolding, fall protection and ladders. Those citations resulted in penalties totaling 69% of the amount collected by the Department of Labor in penalties.
Workplace safety is an important element in the successful operation of any business in North Carolina. Failure to meet safety requirements can result in tragic loss of life or injury to workers and expose a company to substantial financial loss. Employers should annually reevaluate their safety program. The reevaluation should include updating for any changes in regulations or guidelines; establishing regular safety reviews at the workplace; and maintaining employee records and safety and injury records as required by law.
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