News from the USA health and safety site

Workplace Injury/Illness Rates Drop to Historic Lows

In 2000, on-the-job injury and illness rates of U.S. workers declined to a historic low of 6.1 cases per 100 workers. Injury and illness rates in more dangerous occupations such as construction and manufacturing also continued to decline. Last year, 5.7 million Americans experienced an injury or illness at work -- about the same as in 1999 -- but the number of hours worked rose, resulting in a rate decline. In announcing the good news, Labour Secretary Elaine L. Chao said, "We must keep improving upon this positive trend in workplace injury and illness rates, through proper enforcement of health and safety standards, as well as OSHA's model compliance assistance program."

FY2003 Budget Request for OSHA Emphasizes Continued Outreach, Enforcement President Bush has requested a $437 million budget for OSHA in FY03, including a $2.75 million increase in compliance assistance, outreach, and training activities. While the request reflects an approximate 1.3% general decrease from the current appropriation,

OSHA Administrator John Henshaw reminds all that we're in the midst of a wartime budget that still affirms the important role OSHA plays in homeland security. "Workplace safety and health is a crucial component of homeland security," he says, "and we will continue to focus much of our efforts to ensure workers and employers have the tools and guidance they need to be safe at their jobs."

The budget proposal includes $60.3 million for expanded outreach activities and compliance assistance, and $4 million for a new training grant program to replace the current Susan Harwood grants program. A total of $161.1 million is earmarked for enforcement and anticipates the agency will conduct 1,300 more inspections in FY03 than this year.

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