WTC Update: OSHA Official Discounts Injury Report

Dec. 10, 2001
There have been only a handful of injuries - and none that are life threatening - among rescue workers at the site of the World Trade Center (WTC) disaster, according to OSHA's regional administrator for New York.

There have been only a handful of injuries - and none that are life threatening - among rescue workers at the site of the World Trade Center (WTC) disaster, according to Patricia Clark, OSHA''s regional administrator for New York.

Clark was interviewed Nov. 28, after speaking at the National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health in Washington, DC.

Clark said reports that there have been thousands of injuries at the WTC site were misleading, as they were based not on OSHA injury and illness recording criteria, but on New York City Department of Health guidelines.

She said according to the city''s criteria, every time an article of personal protective equipment is handed out, or minor first aid is administered, it counts as an "injury."

"The number of people who have been hospitalized is under 10," Clark said.

OSHA''s response to the WTC recovery effort exemplifies the new philosophy of OSHA Administrator John Henshaw, who has emphasized a cooperative approach with employers.

OSHA staff members are on site 24 hours a day, but they are not enforcing standards, acting instead as advisors, and this has raised concern among some observers who worry that OSHA is not doing enough to protect workers.

In late November Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao announced a partnership with the City of New York contractors and other organizations to protect the safety and health of thousands of workers at the WTC disaster site.

The partnership agreement outlines a cooperative effort to ensure a safe work environment, including a new site orientation training program and establishment of a safety committee that includes representatives from labor, management, OSHA, and other agencies. For more information about the partnership, see Occupationalhazards.com article "New Partnership Benefits Rescue Workers."

by James Nash

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 IndustryWeekEHS Today, Material Handling & LogisticsLogistics 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.

Sponsored Recommendations

June 23, 2025
Learn about lone working laws in the US, key hazards and risks, and get actionable advice on how to keep your lone workers safe.
June 23, 2025
Chemical substitution can quickly get messy, with unclear steps and the risk of swapping one hazard for another. This checklist helps you avoid costly mistakes, prioritize which...
June 23, 2025
A mature approach to health and safety means making safety a core part of your culture, where everyone plays a role and performance is measured by more than just numbers. In this...
June 23, 2025
Behavior-based safety focuses on observing and encouraging safe behaviors to reduce workplace risks. Experts explain how strong safety culture, clear methods, and digital tools...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of EHS Today, create an account today!