A new law that requires employers to report serious injuries to the US Occupational Safety and Health and Administration within 24 hours of hs resulted in increased workplace safety nationwide, the agency announced.
Since the law went into effect last year, employers reported 10,388 workplace accidents involving severe injuries, including 7,636 that required hospitalizations and 2,644 that resulted in amputations.
Safety Hazards Identified
An analysis of the past year’s results found that the new law met its intended objective of helping the agency focus its resources where they are needed most and identifying high-hazard industries so OSHA cold identify and eliminate hazards, according to David Michaels, assistant secretary of labor for occupational safety and health.
“In case after case, the prompt reporting of worker injuries has created opportunities for us to work with employers we wouldn’t have had contact with otherwise,” Michaels said in a news release announcing the results.
Thanks to more comprehensive reporting, OSHA is able to help employers evaluate their own processes and equipment to collaboratively determine what went wrong. Businesses were then able to remove workplace hazards and prevent other workers from suffering the same injuries.
Specific Cases Cited
The report cited several examples in which the new reporting requirement led to increased workplace safety:
- When a mechanized blender at a meat-processing plant unexpectedly started up, it caused the amputation of both lower arms of a sanitation worker who had been cleaning the machine. The business immediately re-engineered the blender’s computer control system and changed safety interlocks, and improved worker training and supervision. The result was a reduction in the risk of amputation. Luckily, the worker’s arms were able to be surgically reattached and he currently is undergoing rehabilitation.
- In Chicago, a conveyor loaded with liquid chocolate suddenly started up as a worker was cleaning a roller. The worker’s arm was pulled in and mangled so badly that its repair required a plate and skin grafting. To prevent future injuries, the company installed metal guards to protect workers’ hands and arms from moving machine parts, as well as warning alarms and flashing lights that are activated 20 seconds before the conveyor starts up.
- In Idaho, a valve cover snapped shut on the hand of a trucker who was loading creamer into his tanker truck, severing his fingertip. Drivers were aware that this particular valve was dangerous. After the amputation, the business devised a new hands-free tool for closing the valve and alerted the valve’s manufacturer of its design problems.
- At a wastewater treatment facility in Illinois, a worker was overcome with heat exhaustion and rushed to the hospital. The employer immediately instituted more frequent worker breaks and provided water to employees. Within weeks, the employer installed cooling fans and submitted plans for a new ventilation system that would better control worker’s exposure to extreme heat.
While OSHA considers the new program to be a success it will continue to evaluate the reporting system and make changes to improve its effectiveness even more, according to Michaels.