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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 25, 2015
Contact: Julie Rabinowitz, 207-621-5009
Workers' compensation claims totaled more than $1.6 million during the period of these reports.
AUGUSTA—The Research and Statistics Unit of the Bureau of Labor Standards at the Maine Department of Labor released separate reports on worker falls and injury due to chemical hazards, respectively. The reports are available on the Department of Labor’s website at www.maine.gov/labor/labor_stats/research.html .
“Knowing the scope and costs associated with workplace injuries helps us focus our efforts on preventing the injury in the first place,” said Governor Paul R. LePage. “Chemical exposures and falls are two types of injuries that can cause life-threatening injuries and have long-term effects on an individual and his or her family’s quality of life. Our SafetyWorks! program helps small businesses avoid these injuries, protect their workers and reduce injury-related costs like workers’ comp premiums and lost productivity.”
Workplace Chemicals, Hazards
The report, Injuries and Illnesses due to Workplace Chemicals and Related Hazards, presents data from Maine’s 2012–2013 Workers’ Compensation injury and illness claims resulting from direct or indirect exposure to injurious chemicals or workplace environmental hazards.
R&S extracted data from the Workers’ Compensation claims database for injuries and illnesses that occurred during 2012 and 2013, noting 406 incidents, which comprise the more serious (lost-time) injuries or illnesses that resulted from worker exposure to hazardous chemicals or adverse environmental/microbiological conditions. Non-lost time injuries are not included in the study as their data are for some cases less complete because of limited need for injury detail and administrative follow-up on those kinds of injuries and outcomes.
Respiratory Problems/Ailments was the largest nature of illnesses or injuries at 33.5 percent.
The body part most affected by chemical and microbiological sources was the category called body systems which accounted for the respiratory, digestive and other maladies caused by the chemicals and microbes.
Of the claims filed with the Workers’ Compensation Board for illnesses and injuries caused by workplace exposure to hazardous chemicals or adverse environmental/microbiological conditions in 2012 and 2013, 46 resulted in workers’ compensation awards totaling $665,564.22 and averaging $14,469 per awarded incident.
Exterior Falls
The report, Roofing and Building Exterior Worker Falls in Maine, 2011-2013, focuses on fall injuries among Maine’s roofing and building exterior construction workers, the factors that may have contributed to them and the regulatory/enforcement efforts to reduce them. From 2011 through 2013, four workers died as a result of falls while another 34 Maine workers were injured as a result of falls from roofs, falls onto roofs, and falls from ladders, scaffoldings, and staging.
This report provides data on the causes of these incidents, the kinds of injuries incurred by the workers, and associated Workers’ Compensation costs. It also provides information regarding federal regulations standards, enforced by OSHA, pertaining to fall-protection safety in the construction industry, and penalties levied against employers for violations of those standards.
Maine Workers’ Compensation claim costs for the 34 worker injuries resulting from roof, scaffolding, and ladder falls in 2011–2013 were approximately $1,051,655. More than 72 percent of that ($762,782) was for medical and rehabilitation care and about 25 percent ($259,124) for time away from work and claim settlements. The average cost per injury claim was $30,931.
The Research and Statistics Unit manages and analyzes data on workplace fatalities, injuries and illnesses and issues summary reports that help employers identify areas for improvements in safety and health protection. Their reports and data visualizations using Tableau are located on the Department of Labor’s website at www.maine.gov/labor/labor_stats/research.html .
Maine Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Standards, through its Safetyworks! program, provides free and confidential training to help employers and employees prevent work-related injuries, illnesses, and deaths and reduce related costs. These classes identify and explain the relevant OSHA and other requirements, strategies for meeting those requirements, and best practices to help employers and workers provide and use proper safeguards to keep their worksites safe. At times each year, Safetyworks! offers free training in Scaffolding and Fall Protection, Ladder Safety, and General Construction Standards. The classes and schedules are found at: http://www.safetyworksmaine.com .
The OSHA Education Center also provides construction fall protection courses online to employers and workers at www.oshaeducationcenter.com.
Businesses interested in confidential and no-charge assistance in reducing workplace injuries should visit the SafetyWorks! website at http://www.safetyworksmaine.com .
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