Peter, I found this on the web, but the people in Washington said that they knew of
no international comparisons. Is this information correct?:
According to the latest available figures from the National Census
of Fatal Occupational injuries, 6,218 workers were killed in 1997,
up from 6,112 the year before. The largest portion of deaths (22
percent) involved workers killed in job-related highway crashes,
including truck drivers and others who operate motor vehicles.
Deaths from on-the-job falls, railway crashes, and being caught in
running equipment, such as manufacturing and agricultural
machinery, all reached a six-year high in 1997. The US ranks worst
in workplace injuries compared with 15 other industrialized
countries. It has the highest occupational injury rate and trails
10 other nations with a fatality rate of 5.9 deaths for every
100,000 workers. Great Britain and the Netherlands reported job
death rates of 1.1 for every 100,000 workers. Norway invests the
most money on job safety and health activities -- about $11.36 for
every citizen. By contrast, the US spends only about $1 per
citizen on worker safety programs. Only two countries surveyed
spend less. Great Britain reports having more workplace health and
safety inspectors than any of the 15 nations studied.
--
Michael Perelman
Economics Department
California State University
Chico, CA 95929
Tel. 530-898-5321
E-Mail [EMAIL PROTECTED]
