Tag Archives: USA

USA: 28 April – Join us TODAY to honor workers and Families / Únete HOY para Honrar a las Personas Trabajadoras Fallecidas y a sus Familias

Each year National COSH releases the Dirty Dozen report of Unsafe Employers to commemorate Workers Memorial Week. This year we will release the report TODAY, April 24th at 2pm ET / 1pm CT / 12pm MT / 11am PTWe hope you will join us.

The Dirty Dozen highlights the courageous stories of workers and communities fighting for better protections to reduce fatalities, injuries and illnesses and puts a spotlight on irresponsible companies that put workers and communities at risk.

We’re inviting the news media to hear directly from workers and families who pay the price when an employer cuts corners. After presentations from workers about this year’s companies, we will open the session to members of the media in attendance to speak directly with workers about the conditions which they face on the job.

While this is primarily a media event, we invite you to stand in solidarity with the workers who dare to speak out.

We would be honored for you to join us TODAY, as we work together to build a powerful movement to protect all workers in all workplaces.

In solidarity,  Susi, for the National COSH Team.

National COSH

USA: New AFL-CIO report finds worker deaths on the job continue, will worsen under Trump administration policies

The AFL-CIO’s 34th annual ‘Death on the Job’ report provides a state-by-state analysis of threats to worker health and safety and policy recommendations for how the government can better protect workers

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Workers are dying and being injured on the job, and the Trump administration and DOGE are putting them at greater risk by enacting policies that will create deplorable working conditions, according to a new report released today by the AFL-CIO.

Ahead of Workers Memorial Day, the AFL-CIO released its 34th annual “Death on the Job: The Toll of Neglect” report, a comprehensive analysis of the state of workers’ health and safety at the national and state levels. Findings include:

  • Inadequate workplace safety laws and policies resulted in the deaths of 5,283 workers on the job in 2023, the latest year of data available, and an estimated 135,304 workers from occupational diseases.
  • Black and Latino workers are still disproportionately dying on the job, both at rates higher than the national job fatality rate.
  • The report shows 659 Black worker deaths, the second-highest number in more than two decades.
  • The report also shows 1,250 Latino worker deaths, making Latino workers the group at the greatest risk of dying on the job among all demographics.

The national job fatality rate was slightly lower in 2023 than in 2022, thanks to strong, pro-worker policies. But the Trump administration’s substantial cuts to—and in some cases, effective elimination of—federal agencies that protect the health and safety of 161 million American workers will likely increase mortality. These cuts include gutting the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), the agency that delivers critical health and safety expertise for both workers and employers; eliminating 11 offices of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in states with the highest workplace fatality rates; eliminating 34 offices of the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), which protects coal miners from hazards like black lung disease, in 19 states, while simultaneously pausing a new silica rule that would prevent coal miners from acquiring silicosis; and allowing Elon Musk, whose companies are being investigated for dozens of workplace safety and health violations, to pursue access to sensitive OSHA data through his inquisition into the Department of Labor.

“Every worker has the fundamental right to come home safe at the end of their workday. But for too many workers, that basic right is under attack,” said Liz Shuler, president of the AFL-CIO. “Workers fought and died for generations for the health and safety laws and protections we have today, and this year’s report shows we need to do even more. The Trump administration and DOGE are gutting the federal agencies that hold bosses accountable for endangering workers, firing the federal workers who monitor and research health hazards, indicating that they will repeal crucial worker safety regulations, and giving billionaires like Elon Musk the power to access and even manipulate OSHA whistleblower records. We can’t bring back the thousands of workers lost each year, but we can fight to prevent more devastation to working families across this country and demand that the Trump administration reverse course.”

“This year’s ‘Death on the Job’ report once again shows that, as in every crisis, the crisis of worker mortality is hitting Black and Latino workers the hardest,” said Fred Redmond, secretary-treasurer of the AFL-CIO. “It is unacceptable that employers are continuing to fail all workers, and especially Black and Latino workers, by not providing them the safety measures and resources they need to stay safe on the job. Enough is enough. The AFL-CIO is fighting the scourge of workplace mortality, and we will not rest until the number of workers who die on the job is zero.”

The 2025 “Death on the Job” report comes just before Workers Memorial Day, the annual commemoration of workers who have died on the job and our fight to prevent these tragedies. The AFL-CIO, its state and local labor federations, and affiliated unions are raising awareness of the Trump administration’s threats to worker health and safety with events across the country this week and next, including a hearing about cuts to worker health and safety programs that took place on Monday, April 21. At the hearings, federal workers, union leaders and community members shared their stories about the impacts of the Trump administration’s actions.

Read the full report here.

AFL-CIO News release

 

USA: Death on the job report – 14 things you should know

Death on the Job graphic

Ahead of Workers Memorial Day, the AFL-CIO released its 34th annual “Death on the Job: The Toll of Neglect” report, a comprehensive analysis of the state of workers’ health and safety at the national and state levels. Workers are dying and being injured on the job, and the Trump administration and DOGE are putting them at greater risk by enacting policies that will create deplorable working conditions, according to the report.

“Every worker has the fundamental right to come home safe at the end of their workday. But for too many workers, that basic right is under attack,” said Liz Shuler, president of the AFL-CIO. “Workers fought and died for generations for the health and safety laws and protections we have today, and this year’s report shows we need to do even more. The Trump administration and DOGE are gutting the federal agencies that hold bosses accountable for endangering workers, firing the federal workers who monitor and research health hazards, indicating that they will repeal crucial worker safety regulations, and giving billionaires like Elon Musk the power to access and even manipulate OSHA whistleblower records. We can’t bring back the thousands of workers lost each year, but we can fight to prevent more devastation to working families across this country and demand that the Trump administration reverse course.”
This year’s ‘Death on the Job’ report once again shows that, as in every crisis, the crisis of worker mortality is hitting Black and Latino workers the hardest,” said Fred Redmond, secretary-treasurer of the AFL-CIO. “It is unacceptable that employers are continuing to fail all workers, and especially Black and Latino workers, by not providing them the safety measures and resources they need to stay safe on the job. Enough is enough. The AFL-CIO is fighting the scourge of workplace mortality, and we will not rest until the number of workers who die on the job is zero.”
Here are 14 things you need to know from the 2025 Death on the Job report:
  1. 385 workers died each day from hazardous working conditions.

  2. 5,283 workers were killed on the job in the United States.

  3. An estimated 135,304 workers died from occupational diseases.

  4. The overall job fatality rate decreased to 3.5 per 100,000 workers.

  5. Workers of color die on the job at a higher rate: Black and Latino worker job fatality rates are disproportionate compared with all other workers and they continue to remain high.

  6. Employers reported nearly 3.2 million work-related injuries and illnesses, a decrease from the previous year.

  7. At least 55 workers died from heat on the job, a 28% increase from 2022; fatal and nonfatal data are an undercount of the real problem.

  8. Workplace homicides continue to be a significant problem, even though they decreased 12.6% since 2022; workplace suicides increased 5.2% from 2022.

  9. Separately, unintentional overdoses at work decreased nearly 5% from 2022 to 2023, due to increased attention paid to and efforts to combat the opioid crisis.

  10. The rate of serious workplace violence injuries has increased to 4.3 per 10,000 workers.

  11. Musculoskeletal disorders from repetitive motion injuries continue to be a major problem, accounting for approximately 28% of all serious work-related injuries and illnesses in private industry.

  12. Underreporting of all workplace injuries and illnesses is widespread—the true toll of work-related injuries and illnesses is 5.2 million to 7.8 million each year in private industry.

  13. Chemical exposures continue to plague working people, leading to debilitating, life-threatening diseases that are totally preventable.

  14. The cost of job injuries and illnesses is enormous, estimated at $174 billion to $348 billion a year—an undercount of the real impact on society, families and communities.

The report also suggests solutions to these problems—actions that can be taken to improve these numbers.

USA: White House proclamation on 28 April

A Proclamation on Workers Memorial Day, 2024

A job is about more than a paycheck — it is about dignity and respect.  Our Nation’s workers built this country, and we need to have their backs.  On the most basic level, that means every worker in this Nation deserves to be safe on the job.  Too many still risk their lives or well-being in unsafe work conditions or dangerous roles.  On Workers Memorial Day, we honor our fallen and injured workers and recommit to making sure every worker has the peace of mind of knowing that they are protected at work and can return home safe to their families every night. read more

USA: CWPR on 28 April

CPWR

Workers Memorial Day takes place on 28 April. People around the world will honor the thousands killed each year on the job and the millions more who suffer serious occupational injuries and illnesses. The number of workplace fatalities and injuries remains unacceptably high: in construction alone, approximately 1,000 workers die on job sites annually.

Each year, April 28th offers the opportunity for us to remember those who have died and to strengthen our commitment to make sure every worker comes home safely every day. Fulfilling that commitment takes the dedication of people across the industry: owners, contractors, managers, government officials, unions, workers, and many others.

Improving the safety and health of construction workers must take many forms and respond to many hazards. This year we encourage everyone to focus on addressing:

  • Falls. One in three work-related deaths in construction is caused by a fall. The National Campaign to Prevent Falls in Construction brings together people from across the industry to raise awareness of this hazard and to show how to prevent these incidents. Participate in next week’s National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction as part of making a year-round commitment to eliminating this hazard.
  • Mental Health. Mental health issues — especially opioid dependency and suicide – continue to affect construction workers at much higher rates than the average U.S. worker. CPWR’s resources, which include Hazard Alert Cards, Toolbox Talks, and training programs, all support prevention. Also, watch for the opportunity to sign up to receive a new newsletter highlighting mental health research and effective resources.
  • truck-by Incidents. The just-completed National Stand-Down to Prevent Struck-by Incidents raised awareness of these hazards, the second leading cause of death and the leading cause of nonfatal injuries among construction workers. Listen to the Stand-Down webinar on developing Internal Traffic Control Plans and check out other CPWR materials that address hazards such as dropped objects, heavy equipment, lift zone safety, and work zone safety.

 

USA: BlueGreen Alliance | New Report Highlights Worker Safety Actions Under Trump, Biden Administrations

Ahead of Workers’ Memorial Day on April 28, the BlueGreen Alliance released a report exploring efforts to protect or undermine worker health and safety under the current Biden administration and previous Trump administration. The report, Then and Now: Worker Safety Under Trump and Biden, considers administrative actions in several areas: capacity at the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA); protecting miners from black lung-causing silica dust; regulation of hazardous chemical facilities; worker injury reporting requirements; and COVID-19 response.

“Workers’ Memorial Day honors the workers who didn’t come home at the end of their shift,” said BlueGreen Alliance Executive Director Jason Walsh. “It’s also the day we can commit ourselves to a future where every worker is able to say goodbye to their families before their shift with the safe assumption that they will be returning home healthy at the end of the day. We should expect our leaders to prioritize that.”

The new report builds on a September 2020 BlueGreen Alliance report—Misled: The Impact of the Trump Administration’s Agenda on Working Families and the Environment—which provided an analysis of a range of policy actions made by the Trump administration. In the new report the organization revisits those policy actions related to worker health and safety and sets them alongside actions from the Biden administration.

The full report can be found here.

USA: On Workers Memorial Day 2024 injured workers demand justice at CA state building in Oakland

USA: Black Worker Initiative youth summit on Workers’ Memorial Day

On April 28th from noon to 4:30 p.m., Worksafe’s Black Worker Initiative is hosting a Youth Listening Summit at the Greenlining Institute in Downtown Oakland, California, to engage with young people ages 11-20. Youth Facilitators will lead discussions with youth on critical issues they face, from availability and quality of job opportunities and working conditions to environmental justice. Youth will be mentored to craft talking points and present their opinions and recommendations to a panel of ChangeMakers: California Labor Commissioner Lilia Garcia-Brower, Cal/OSHA Acting Chief Debra Lee, Assembly member Mia Bonta, District 2 Council President Nikki Fortunato Bas, and District 3 Council Member Carroll Fife. This event is a first for Worksafe, and we are very excited to hear from Bay Area youth! We are taking registration up to the day of the event so feel free to refer youth to the event website.

 https://www.blackworkerinitiative.com/youth_listening_summit/

USA: AFL-CIO Releases 2024 Death on the Job report

On 25 April, ahead of  Workers Memorial Day on April 28, the AFL-CIO released their 33rd annual report, Death on the Job: The Toll of Neglect. This annual report serves as a national and state-by-state profile of worker safety and health, offering direction to policymakers and regulatory bodies as they strive to address the scourge of working people facing death, injury and illness at work. Among the report’s startling data are the disproportionate rates of Latino and Black workers at risk of dying on the job. Black workers are facing the highest job fatality rates in nearly 15 years and Latino workers continue to face the greatest risk of dying on the job, compared to all other workers.

The report also sheds light on the enormous cost of job injuries and illness on our society—an estimated $174 billion to $348 billion a year—and the flat-funded budget for job safety agencies to fulfill their growing duties, which do not even keep up with inflation. It also outlines key strategies to address this crisis, including a renewed commitment to regulatory oversight agencies, improved data and transparency, stronger deterrents against employer retaliation, and prioritizing standard-setting and enforcement.

“Despite workers’ hard-won safety and health rights, this report shows the fight is far from over,” said AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler. “Too many workers face retaliation for reporting unsafe working conditions or injuries, while low penalties fail to deter employers from following the law. The alarming disparities in workplace fatalities among workers of color are unacceptable, symptomatic of deeply ingrained racial inequity and the need to pay increased attention to the dangerous industries that treat workers as disposable. As we honor those who have fallen this Workers Memorial Day, we remain committed to holding corporations accountable so that all jobs are safe jobs—where every worker can return home safely at the end of the day.”

“This report exposes an urgent crisis for workers of color and reaffirms what we’ve long known: When we talk about justice for workers, we must prioritize racial equity,” said AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond. “The fact that Black and Latino workers continue to die on the job at disproportionate rates demands a reckoning with the failure of employers to protect them. We must honor the lives lost on the job with action, as we recommit ourselves to advancing safety, health and equity for all workers.”

This year’s report reveals that in 2022:

  • 344 workers died each day from hazardous working conditions.
  • 5,486 workers were killed on the job in the United States.
  • An estimated 120,000 workers died from occupational diseases.
  • The job fatality rate increased again to 3.7 per 100,000 workers.
  • Workers of color die on the job at a higher rate: Black and Latino worker job fatality rates are disproportionate compared with all other workers and are continuing to increase.
  • Black workers’ job fatality rate was the highest it has been in nearly 15 years—4.2 per 100,000 workers.
  • Latino workers’ job fatality rate increased again to 4.6 per 100,000 workers—meaning they continued to face the greatest risk of dying on the job than all workers, at 24% higher than the national average; the rate marked a 24% increase over the past decade.
  • Employers reported nearly 3.5 million work-related injuries and illnesses, an increase from the previous year.

These sobering findings stress the urgent need for immediate action to prioritize worker safety and shed light on the escalating challenges facing workplace protections. Progress has been hindered by growing opposition from big corporations to workers’ rights and protections. Extremist politicians have also unnecessarily politicized critical issues such as climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic, which has created more challenges to longstanding problems of heat and infectious disease exposure in the workplace, and the lack of funding has left our agencies scrambling to keep up.

And in this critical election year, the stakes are even higher for those who need safe working conditions. The stark difference between the Biden and Trump administrations’ worker safety and health records underscore this significant moment for workers. While the Biden administration has issued strong standards and enforcement initiatives and has tirelessly worked to rebuild and fortify job and safety agencies after years of neglect and erosion, the prior administration’s actions led to severe understaffing, the repeal of essential worker safety laws, restrictions on public access to vital information and weak enforcement against employers who violate the law.

In light of these report findings and obstacles we continue to face, the AFL-CIO remains committed to prioritizing the prevention of injury, illness and fatalities at work, advocating for strong standards and organizing for safer working conditions while supporting leaders like President Biden who champion workers’ rights to a safe job. While there is still much work ahead, our advocacy for policies that protect workers and hold employers accountable remains steadfast. Collaboration with lawmakers, activists and allies will continue to advance workplace safety initiatives, ensuring that every worker has the opportunity to thrive in a safe and healthy environment.

Read the full report here. 

https://aflcio.org/press/releases/afl-cio-releases-2024-death-job-report-ahead-workers-memorial-day

USA: Dollar Store Workers Rising: Health, Safety and Solidarity Panel

Dollar Store Workers Rising: Health, Safety & Solidarity Panel organized by CPD Action

Dollar Store workers are rising up to organize for our right to work in safe and dignified conditions!

Join us for an interactive panel of workers, organizers and experts as we unveil the findings of a brand-new Dollar Store health & safety survey, our list of demands and how you can take action in solidarity with us.

Panel speakers include:

  • Kenya Slaughter, Step Up Louisiana Organizer (Host)
  • McKenzie Midgette and Tony Barton, Dollar Store Workers
  • Karen Escobedo, Center for Popular Democracy
  • Christina LeBlanc, Invest in Louisiana
  • Debbie Berkowitz, Kalmanovitz Initiative for Labor and the Working Poor at Georgetown University

Event co-sponsors: Step Up Louisiana, Center for Popular Democracy, Invest in Louisiana and COSH.

https://www.mobilize.us/cpda/event/619488/