Looking Ahead: Workplace Safety in 2017
- Jan 7, 2017
It's a new year, but what does that actually mean for workplace safety? Realistically speaking, the main difference between this year and last is that it's a new time frame for safety statistics to be taken. However, it's also a solid timeframe to set and reach new personal (and team) goals in the workplace.Surely this year will bring new safety regulations set forth by various institutions as well as improvements in the areas of safety equipment development - both of which come naturally with the progression of time. Regardless, it's important to understand that additional regulations don't necessarily make for a safer work environment. The only real changes that will take place are dependent on you and your coworkers; your awareness, work habits, and willingness to teach, learn and improve all of these things for the benefit of everyone.
Let's take a look at something interesting.
When the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported their revised (and final) numbers for the 2014 work year, they noted a 5.1% increase over the previous year for workers who died from traumatic events. Additionally, falls/slips/trips increased by 13% in the same time period. Furthermore, there was an increase in deaths among older workers as well as temporary and/or contract workers. These were primarily increases in the sectors of agriculture, mining, construction and manufacturing.
According to experts, the increase was not a result of economical upsurge.
On April 26, of 2016 The National Council for Occupational Safety and Health (COSH) released a report titled Preventable Deaths 2016 which outlines more than 100,000 annual deaths related to direct workplace trauma, as well as from long-term exposure to on-the-job hazards. The report outlines many issues, shortcomings, and preventative measures geared towards a safer, more productive work environment across a variety of sectors and occupations.
Particularly alarming are the statistics for fatal injuries in mining (up 17%) and agriculture (up 14%), manufacturing (up 9%) and construction (up 6%). Fatal injuries for workers 55 and over were the highest they've ever been. Female workers experienced a 13% overall increase in fatal work injuries in 2014 as compared to 2013.
Now, it's important to note that these numbers take a while to come in and be thoroughly evaluated. At first glance, 2014 was thought to be a better year than 2013 in regards to fatalities; it took nearly 2 years to realize 2014 was more lethal.
The real questions we need to be asking are "How and why?" are fatalities increasing?
With our current technology and with our highly developed safety equipment and safety standards, why are more people dying? Do we not live in an age where we should be able to eliminate a rather large percentage of workplace injuries and deaths? Are we really so careless? Are employers to blame? Are employees simply disregarding the best-practices for their occupations? Is it more complicated than providing a simple answer???
Of course there are many factors that contribute to each and every fatality. It wouldn't be fair or honest to place the blame on a single area or group of people without the proper data to back it up. Nonetheless, something is preventing us from seeing a solid decline. Over the decades, we have surely seen the numbers decrease, but is it really enough? Can't we do better? Is the pursuit of profits and paychecks really taking priority over safety? Are we all so ignorant as to assume "It can't happen to me"?
We don't have the answers, and we're not sure that anyone actually does. Mistakes will happen, and accidents will happen - which is why we call them "accidents".
What we do know, as a fact, is that a safer workplace begins with YOU. Whether you're a boss or a manager, supervisor or laborer, short-term or long-term employee; it begins with you. We all need to take the initiative to create a better workplace for ourselves and our co-workers. We need to be setting the example for the next generation of workers. We need to let our intelligence and abilities shine, proving that we're capable of performing our jobs safely. After all, the information is out there. We're living in a world of unlimited resources and ignorance is not a very valid excuse. We need to look out for one another as well as ourselves.
Now, we'd also like to mention that the overwhelming majority of workers do take safety quite seriously - but that doesn't mean there is no room for improvement. Is a human life really worth an hour of saved work? Or even a few minutes? Is pressuring your employees or co-workers to work dangerously really profitable? Is taking a risk that you "think" is okay really worth a lifetime in a wheelchair, or a family without a father or mother?
We like to think that we all have the best intentions in mind. We believe that most workers have a fear and awareness of workplace hazards, yet we're still confident that we can all make tiny improvements. Whether you're working alone or as a team, it's important to think things through. Be timely yet safe, effective yet cautious. Don't let the stresses of the job frustrate you and get the best of you. Safety comes first.
Here's to hoping you're able to take something away from this post. We encourage you to make 2017 a better year in the workplace, even if you had a flawless 2016. Give a pointer to the new guy. Take that extra safety class. Keep up with safety advancements in your field. Lend a helping hand. Point out hazards that might otherwise go unnoticed. Give your best effort to make your workplace a safe, productive, and respectable one in 2017.
Have a great year and stay safe out there!
There are plenty of jobs in the United States and other countries around the world that are labeled as risky, dangerous, hazardous and even deadly. You see the lists each year, as writers, researchers and news sources struggle to properly organize and present articles on what they claim to be the 10 or 25 most dangerous jobs or the 5 most deadly occupations. But due to hundreds if not thousands of different factors, it's nearly impossible to label any profession as the most deadly. We do however, know of a handful or two of occupations that are specifically dangerous.
Since we try to put a strong focus on workplace safety, we often comb through statistics regarding health, dangers and injury in the workplace. We try to come forth with relative statistics to help create awareness and give you the knowledge to create a safer workplace, regardless of the hazards. We know injuries can happen at work, and we know that many of them can also be prevented.