Workplace death numbers uptick stirs some concerns

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.wcfcourier.com/articles/2009/07/19/news/breaking_news/doc4a6365b47f930449159911.txt

Sunday, July 19, 2009 1:30 PM CDT

By DEB NICKLAY, [e-mail]
MASON CITY --- The number of workplace deaths in Iowa shot up 24 percent from 2006 to 2007, prompting some to argue more oversight 0f employers is needed.

Others say the upward spike is an anomaly and should not be cause for overreaction.


Iowa workplace fatalities

Year Deaths

1998 68

1999 80

2000 71

2001 62

2002 57

2003 76

2004 82

2005 90

2006 71

2007 *88

*Reported in some documents as 89.


Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

There were 88 deaths occurring in Iowa workplaces in 2007, up from 71 in 2006, based on the latest statistics provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released in April.

Gerald Edgar of Garner, a longtime corporate safety manager who has worked for several large companies, said while there was an increase, the number does not mark a trend.

Iowa’s comparatively small pool of employees overly magnifies a 17-fatality increase seen in 2007, he said.

However, if the increase had been seen in one industry or sub-group, the numbers would be significant or reflect a trend.

FULL story at link.

[MrModerate]

1. Seems like an unremarkable uptick, well within the control limits of previous years.

Which is not to say that oversight of employers -- especially in high-risk fields like construction -- shouldn't be regularly looked at as something that can be improved (not necessarily "increased," but improved).