tennessee workplace injury rate declines

Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development Commissioner James Neeley announces Tennessee’s workplace injury rate has steadily declined over the last 10 years. The decline in part is attributed to an increase in Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration (TOSHA) statewide training, inspections and cooperative employer programs. Industry injury rates have declined from 7.6 percent to 4.8 percent in the last decade.
“What these numbers reflect is how important it is to make both employees and employers aware of how to prevent workplace injuries before they occur,” said Labor and Workforce Development Commissioner James Neeley. “By increasing training and cooperative employer programs through our consultative services we believe the injury rates will continue to decline in the future.”
TOSHA’s training program has more than doubled in both the amount of seminars given and the number of people attending. In 2006 TOSHA offered more than 400 seminars across the state with approximately 13,000 attendees.
“TOSHA is dedicated to helping employers and employees across the state maintain a safe and healthy workplace,” said TOSHA Administrator John Winkler. “By working cooperatively with employers and helping them emphasize their in-house safety program, employee injuries are reduced.”
In 2006, TOSHA made more than 400 consultation inspections. Consultation inspections are a free service TOSHA offers to better improve workplace safety and health. When a company requests a consultation inspection a consultant will work with the company to make them aware of any workplace hazards.
The company will not be penalized for the violation(s), but they are required to correct the problem.
The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development Safety Awards Program is designed to stimulate interest in accident prevention and to promote safety. The program recognizes manufacturing and construction firms throughout the state that achieve and maintain a safe and healthful workplace. Employers involved in the Volunteer STARprogram and the Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) together have a 2.5 percent lower injury rate than the overall average injury rate.
For more information on TOSHA’s services please call 800-249-8510 or go to http://www.state.tn.us/labor-wfd/tosha.html .