National COSH Publishes 'Preventable Deaths 2014' Report

A report released by National Council on Occupational Safety and Health (COSH), "2014 Preventable Deaths: The Tragedy of Workplace Fatalities" says that more than 50,000 U.S. workers die each year due to occupational injuries and illnesses. Key findings include:

• At least 4,383 workers died from sudden traumatic injuries in 2012.
• Tens of thousands of workers die each year form long-term occupational illnesses.
• Nearly 700 deaths can be prevented each year by adoption of a standard limiting workplace exposure to silica. 

The report also includes National COSH recommendations that address these workplace fatalities:

• Enhance workplace safety and health programs.
• Create stronger standards and regulations.
• Provide more access to OSHA services in multiple languages.
• Allow workers to file complaints.
• Provide public access to national fatality data.
• Strengthen and update OSHA laws.
• Work on immigration reform.