Businesses
experience 6,800 fewer on-the-job accidents
 For
the seventh year in a row, fewer workers were injured in
on-the-job accidents in North Carolina. According to
statistics released last month by the state Labor
Department, the total
case rate of non-fatal injuries and illnesses in 1999
decreased for all industries, from a rate of 6.0 per 100
full-time workers to 5.7. Private sector workers, meanwhile,
saw the injury and illness rate improve from 6.1 to 5.7.
"The rate for injuries and illnesses has improved for
many years, and we are certainly pleased with this latest
information," said state Labor Commissioner Harry E.
Payne, Jr. "With fewer people getting hurt on the job, we
are grateful our working citizens see safety as a priority.
The Department applauds the obvious focus on safety and health
by companies across the state."
Declines were recorded in most large industry segments.
Agriculture, forestry and fishing recorded a 1999 rate of 6.8
injuries and illnesses per 100 full-time workers, down from
7.8 in 1998. Construction saw a rate reduction of 8.2 in 1998
to 6.2 in 1999. The
manufacturing industry segment remained even with 1998 figures
at a 7.6 rate while transportation and public utilities
improved from an injury and illness rate of 7.2 in 1998 to 6.9
in 1999.
In 1999, there were
approximately 184,000 on-the-job injuries and illnesses. Of those,
43,600 were serious enough to require days away from work
beyond the day of injury. That compares with approximately
190,800 injuries and illnesses in 1998 with about 48,900 cases
with days away from work.
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