Transportation incidents were the top cause of death for Black workers, accounting for nearly a third of fatalities.
The 33rd annual Death on the Job: The Toll of Neglect review went public on April 24 and detailed the concerning statistics regarding Black workers. The report aims to address the evolving state of job safety, spreading awareness and insight into where measures may be lacking. Suggesting policy changes and dissecting the safety standards within each state, the report intends to address critical issues within the workforce that lead to injury and death.
These racial disparities have persisted for years but are reaching new heights as the rate increases. Of the industries where the most harm occurs, transportation incidents were the biggest cause of death, accounting for nearly a third. Other dominant industries that incurred fatalities were food, manufacturing, and administrative and support services.
The AFL-CIO determined the contributing factor to these death rates stems from a lack of agency in the workplace. Racism in these environments can stifle worker’s ability to speak up about safety concerns due to fear of retaliation, leading to preventable deaths.
The federation believes that stronger enforcement of OSHA rules and protections will ensure that employees can fulfill their duties without the threat of losing their lives. As the number of Black worker fatalities becomes more prevalent, the work to ensure Black employees are protected and able to address safety issues remains critical to their livelihoods.
Source: Black Enterprise
