Workers' Memorial Day, April 28, 2001, is a designated time to remember
workers who have died from work-related injuries or illnesses. Although there have
been substantial improvements in occupational health and safety
(1), work-related injuries and deaths continue to be a major public health concern. During
1980--1997,
103,945 workers died from work-related injuries, an average of 16 deaths per day. In 1999,
the most recent year for which data are available, economic costs of fatal and
nonfatal unintentional work-related injuries were an estimated $122.6 billion
(2).
This year, the date also marks the 30th anniversary of the Occupational Safety
and Health Act and the establishment of the Occupational Safety and
Health Administration and CDC's National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health (NIOSH). NIOSH was established to conduct research and make recommendations
to prevent work-related injuries, illnesses, and deaths.
Additional information on causes and prevention of work-related injury and
illness is available from CDC, telephone (800) 356-4674 or at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/homepage.html.
National Safety Council. Injury facts, 2000 edition. Itasca, Illinois: National Safety
Council, 2000.
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