Fatality rates and regulatory policies in bituminous coal mining, United States, 1959-1981

Impact of the OSHA trench and excavation standard on fatal injury in the construction industry

In 1989 the US Occupational Safety & Health Administration revised the excavation and trenching standard. We examined fatal injuries from trench cave-in in the construction industry for five year periods before and after the revision in the 47 US states for which data were available for both periods. There was a 2-fold decline in the rate of fatal injury after revision of the standard, which substantially exceeded the decline in other causes of fatal injury in the construction industry during the same period. The decline was somewhat greater in large business firms but was evident in construction firms of all size classes. The fatality rate from trench cave-in in union construction workers was approximately half that of nonunion workers, but we were unable to determine whether this was best explained by union status, employment of union workers at larger construction firms, or both. This study provides evidence for the effectiveness of OSHA regulation in preventing fatal work injury.

Current magnitude of occupational disease in the United States. Estimates from New York State

The data from our study indicate that the magnitude of occupational disease in New York State is considerable, and that a detailed and comprehensive plan must be initiated and implemented if occupational disease is to be controlled. New York State contains slightly less than 10% of the nation's workforce. A direct linear extrapolation of findings in New York State cannot be made to derive estimates of the national burden of work-related illness. Nevertheless, a crude estimate of the national magnitude of occupational disease can be derived from the New York experience. Such extrapolation provides a crude estimate of 50,000-70,000 deaths each year from occupational disease and of 350,000 new cases of occupational illness. These numbers are distressingly similar to the annual estimates of 100,000 deaths and 400,000 cases of occupational illness developed almost 15 years ago by Ashford. Clearly substantial progress remains to be made.

Occupational disease in New York State: a comprehensive examination

In order to obtain information on the current magnitude of occupational disease in New York State, four data sources were reviewed: Workers' Compensation records, disease registries maintained by the state department of health, data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), and data from the California's physician reporting system. A proportionate attributable risk approach is used to develop estimates of mortality due to occupational diseases. The distribution of occupational hazards was assessed using data from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYDEC). Finally, econometric estimates of the direct and indirect costs of occupational illness were developed. The best available data indicate that 5,000 to 7,000 deaths are caused each year in New York State by work-related illnesses, and at least 35,000 new cases of occupational illness develop each year in the State. It is also estimated that between 150,000 and 750,000 workers in New York State are employed in the 50 most hazardous industries. OSHA standards regulating exposure to selected chemicals were found to have been violated frequently. The annual costs of occupational disease in New York State are approximately $600,000,000; only a small fraction is covered by workers' compensation insurance. Of the 52,000 physicians in New York State, only 73 are board-certified in occupational medicine. Most of these are involved in administrative, teaching, and research aspects of occupational medicine. Of the 300 industrial hygenists in New York State, two-thirds are employed by major corporations. Recommendations are described to improve the recognition of occupational disease in New York State and to reduce the burden of this disease. A statewide network of occupational health clinical services is proposed and has been funded by the New York State Legislature. Other recommendations are also given.

Government regulation of occupational safety: underground coal mine accidents 1973-75

The purpose of this paper is to determine the influence of federal mine safety inspections on underground coal mine accidents. An economic incentives model is developed to relate federal enforcement activities to accident rates. The determinants of accident rates are analyzed for 535 coal mines during the period 1973-75. Estimates based on these data when applied to the model indicate that increasing inspections by 25 per cent would have produced a 13 per cent decline in fatal accidents and an 18 per cent decline in disabling accidents.