The Virginian-Pilot
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The rate of workplace injuries in Virginia rose last year, according to a state report released Thursday. The state recorded 3.3 nonfatal injuries or illnesses per 100 full-time public and private workers in 2010, up from 3.1 in 2009, according to the study from Virginia's Department of Labor and Industry.
The rate for private workers was 3.1, lower than the national average of 3.5. The rate for government workers was 4.1, compared with 5.7 nationwide. In the private sector, the transportation industry experienced the highest rate in Virginia, at 5.5.
The report did not discuss the reasons for the increase. In September, the agency reported that the number of workplace fatalities in Virginia dropped 13 percent last year, to 104 from 119 in 2010.
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Marty the Greek Analysis:
Private workers are reluctant to report OTJ injuries in fear of losing their jobs. Public workers fear the red tape in reporting OTJ injuries. Transportation injuries? Let’s open up their GPS lockers and see how fast they really are getting to their destinations vs. what their arrival time should be based on posted road signs. Anybody see the two turned over Tractor Trailers this week on I-64? Last I recall there are three per week on average, on the beltway.
Transportation industry needs to do a risk analysis, and ask is the speed of getting there quickly and causing accidents worth the cost of delivering the goods on time?
I own a small business...approx. 3,500,000.00 gross sales
My employees have no problem reporting OTJ injuries. Just this year we had 3 injuries that required surgery and rehab totaling $30,000. I require all injuries to be reported regardless of the severity. Some I pay; but when surgery and lose of wages occur...work comp pays. I will have to admit this year was extreme some years we have no major injuries. However, I have never fired a person for OTJ injuries!
More Stats Please...
$5.5 MIL is not bad for a small business... What line of work is it and how many employees? How do you know if they don't report? Have you conducted a blind survey?
Small Business...3.5 not 5.5 million
How do I know...my goodness they call if they hurt their pinky! I have a very open door policy...they tell me everything and I want them to! We are a heating and cooling contractor with approx. 30 employees; whom most have worked for us for 10 - 25 yrs. I don't need a blind survey. :)
See you tomorrow...
Time for my Winter HVAC check-up. We'll talk more then. That $5.5 MIL... Is that net or gross? I'll also have my SBDC guy over at 1:00 and talk how we can increase some profit ; )
Sounds more like he will
Sounds more like he will stopping by to see how to get a piece of the pie. As someone who works in workers compensation, I can tell you that you cannot hide a real injury. Having worked in construction I remember being told to suck it up, but a real injury cannot be hidden.
Concur...
And, HVAC is not really HD construction type work. People who hurt their pinky too often are not picked to go on to the next big job.
This is an industry specific look by look and can't be generalized into a few classes of work lines.
Yes it can. The stats are
Yes it can. The stats are very accurate. HVAC and electrical work are a very low rated class. I have to be honest in saying your comment doesn't even make sense to me. Rule number #1 is K.I.S.S. Learn it, live it, love it.