It's a disgrace that so many people die on the job, and it's a disgrace that Americans are so oblivious to that fact. That's why we celebrate Workers' Memorial Day every April 28.
Teamster President Hoffa reminds us that unions struggled for decades to improve working conditions. It's an issue especially dear to Teamsters' hearts because highway accidents are the leading cause of death on the job. Truck drivers are more likely to die at work than people in any other occupation.
Today, the AFL-CIO reports
In 2009, according to preliminary data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 4,340 workers were killed on the job—an average of 12 workers every day—and an estimated 50,000 died from occupational diseases. More than 4.1 million work-related injuries and illnesses were reported, but this number understates the problem. The true toll of job injuries is two to three times greater—about 8 million to12 million job injuries and illnesses each year.The good news: President Obama is setting new safety and health standards, increased the job safety budget and hired hundreds of new inspectors.
The bad news: Corporate-backed politicians are trying to block new regulations and slash OSHA's budget.
btw, More great images like the one above can be seen at http://www.hazards.org/wmd/images.htm.
