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Herman: More Must Be Done About Construction Fatalities

Aug. 18, 2000

Citing a report on job-related fatalities for 1999, Secretary of\r\nLabor Alexis M. Herman said yesterday that more must be done to\r\nprevent workplace fatalities in the construction industry.

EHS Today Staff

Citing a report on job-related fatalities for 1999, Secretary of Labor Alexis M. Herman said yesterday that more must be done to prevent workplace fatalities in the construction industry, just as homicides in the workplace have been reduced.

"The decline in homicides -- 10 percent last year and 40 percent in the last six years -- demonstrates that when we concentrate our efforts we can make a difference," said Herman.

OSHA worked with retailers and taxi companies to provide guidance on preventing violence, and as a result helped to reduce the number of homicides in the workplace.

Herman said the same efforts should be focused on reducing fatalities in the construction industry.

The construction industry accounts for 20 percent of all workplace fatalities -- the highest percentage for any single industry, according to the Department of Labor.

"We have focused OSHA''s resources in construction and other high-risk work sites and will continue to do so. These deaths can be prevented," said Herman.

by Virginia Sutcliffe

About the Author

EHS Today Staff

EHS Today's editorial staff includes:

Dave Blanchard, Editor-in-Chief: During his career Dave has led the editorial management of many of Endeavor Business Media's best-known brands, including IndustryWeek, EHS Today, Material Handling & Logistics, Logistics Today, Supply Chain Technology News, and Business Finance. In addition, he serves as senior content director of the annual Safety Leadership Conference. With over 30 years of B2B media experience, Dave literally wrote the book on supply chain management, Supply Chain Management Best Practices (John Wiley & Sons, 2021), which has been translated into several languages and is currently in its third edition. He is a frequent speaker and moderator at major trade shows and conferences, and has won numerous awards for writing and editing. He is a voting member of the jury of the Logistics Hall of Fame, and is a graduate of Northern Illinois University.

Adrienne Selko, Senior Editor: In addition to her roles with EHS Today and the Safety Leadership Conference, Adrienne is also a senior editor at IndustryWeek and has written about many topics, with her current focus on workforce development strategies. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics. Previously she was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck?, which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list.

Nicole Stempak, Managing Editor: Nicole Stempak is managing editor of EHS Today and conference content manager of the Safety Leadership Conference.