Raleigh, NC – North Carolina’s workplace injury and illness rate for private industry dropped to a historic low in 2015 keeping the Tar Heel state one of the safest states in which to work. The rate dropped from 2.7 cases per 100 full-time workers in 2014 to 2.6 for 2015 and remains below the national rate.
“During my service as Labor Commissioner, I am proud of the fact that North Carolina’s injury and illness rate has dropped 51 percent (5.3 to 2.6) over the past 15 years,” Labor Commissioner Cherie Berry said. “The record-low injury and illness rate is a credit to the employers and employees of our state. Safety is being embraced by management as well as those on the front lines who are performing the state’s most dangerous work.”
The state’s Occupational Safety and Health Division focuses on hazardous industries like construction and manufacturing by implementing special emphasis programs, providing free education and training, conducting free safety and health consultative visits, and establishing partnerships and alliances.
The 2015 rate for construction dropped to 2.7 per 100 full-time workers from 3.3 in 2014, below the national rate of 3.5. The 2015 rate for manufacturing remained steady at 3.3, below the national rate of 3.8.
North Carolina is one of the top 10 safest states in which to work, with a rate statistically less than the national rate of 3.0.
Labor officials point to other driving factors that are affecting the state’s record-low rates. Accidents are costly when you factor in legal fees, insurance costs, plant down time and liability suits. Many employers are implementing effective safety and health programs to lower costs and improve their bottom line.
“Good employers understand that a good workplace safety program pays for itself,” Commissioner Berry said, “but at the end of the work day, it’s really about making it home to family and loved ones that matters most.”
Source: NC DOL