November 16, 2001—Leaders in the construction industry told over 300 attendees at the American Society of Safety Engineers’ (ASSE) Construction Safety Symposium that the proper training, reducing hazards, partnering with the OSHA officials, implementing effective safety programs, and sharing profits with employees have all contributed to reducing injuries and fatalities.
The Director of the OSHA Directorate on Construction Safety Standards Russell Swanson told the attendees that there is a clear emphasis by OSHA to increase workplace safety by working directly with employers by providing safety knowledge and education rather than putting an emphasis on issuing citations.
“I am happy to report today that there has been a decrease in construction industry fatalities,” Swanson said. “While employment in this industry continues to increase, fatalities have dropped. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that in 1999 there were a total of 1190 construction industry fatalities, while in 2000 there were 1154.”
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