North Carolina workplace illnesses on the decline

North Carolina workers will be happy to know that their state is one of the eight states to see a decline in workplace injuries and illnesses in the last year. In fact, with a rate of 2.9 incidents for every 100 workers, it is one of the 15 states with a workplace injury rate lower than the national average of 3.4. The trend coincides with the national trend of lower workplace accidents.

Thinking in purely monetary terms, workplace safety is essential not just for workers themselves but also for the businesses bottom line. This is because workers’ compensation rates go up in unsafe working environments, which cuts into a company’s profits.

According to a representative of the Department of Labor, their greater involvement was one of the reasons workplace deaths, illnesses and injuries declined. By forging relationships with companies and staying in continuous contact with them on details surrounding safety and health, they ensure workplace injury rates remain low.

In addition to this, a representative of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration explained that tightening federal and state regulations also played a factor in reducing the instances of worker injuries.

Whatever the cause is, the bottom line is that more businesses are trying to live up to their duty of creating a safe and hazard free workplace for their employees. When they fail to create such a workplace, an injured worker may be able to file a workers’ compensation claim. Through such a claim, employees can seek compensation for lost wages and medical costs. This may provide workers with the financial support they need to get back on their feet.

Source: Charlotte Observer, “Workplace injuries and illnesses drop in North Carolina” Samantha Gilman, Dec. 2, 2013