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BLS reports 8.9 percent increase in fatal work injuries

There were 5,190 fatal work injuries recorded in the United States in 2021, an 8.9-percent increase from 4,764 in 2020, the BLS reported in its annual Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries. The fatal work injury rate was 3.6 fatalities per 100,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) workers, the highest rate since 2016. A worker died every 101 minutes from a work-related injury. Black and Latino workers had fatality rates disproportionately higher than their co-workers. Workers in transportation and material moving occupations experienced the highest number of fatalities (1,523), an increase of 18.8 percent from 2020. Transportation incidents remained the most frequent type of fatal event in 2021, accounting for 38.2 percent of all fatalities.



Mental stress injuries up 71 percent in restaurant industry

While cuts, falls, and strains make up a large portion of workers compensation claims among restaurants, injuries related to mental stress have skyrocketed, with 2021 being the highest on record according to a report by AmTrust Financial Services Inc.

Cuts are the most common injury for restaurant workers but falls result in larger payouts. Workers' compensation claims from motor vehicle-related injuries cost the most, paying out $20,000 on average.



2022 America's Health Rankings report reveals disturbing trends

United Health Foundation (UHF), recently released its 2022 America's Health Rankings report which ranks states across 83 metrics including health outcomes, behaviors, environment, and social and economic elements. The report shows between 2019 and 2020 the rate of premature death in individuals under the age of 75 increased by 18 percent and drug deaths spiked 30 percent.

The prevalence of multiple chronic conditions has worsened since before the pandemic, as have rates of cancer, arthritis and depression. The most prevalent chronic condition in 2021 was arthritis, accounting for 25.8 percent; depression came in second at 20.5 percent. Obesity is at an all-time high.



Nurse organizations update guidance on mitigating workplace violence

The Emergency Nurses Association and the American Organization for Nursing Leadership have updated their Guiding Principles on Mitigating Violence in the Workplace and related toolkit. The guidelines feature nine principles, including using evidence-based strategies to address all aspects of violence and the toolkit highlights six steps to address and mitigate violence.



New white paper on suicide and overdose fatalities in construction

A new white paper from CPWR, The Center for Construction Research and Training, details key takeaways from a two-day workshop on "Combating Suicide and Overdose Fatalities Among Construction Workers." It outlines training available to help workers, best practices for training effectiveness, smartphone apps to use, and hotlines to call when a worker is in need.



NLRB expands fees and penalties for labor violations

In a recent case, Thryv Inc., the NLRB upheld an administrative law judge's finding that a marketing agency violated labor law by laying off a group of employees before bargaining with the union. In so doing, the Board ruled that employers are now on the hook for "all direct or foreseeable" damages flowing from any violation of the NLRA, such as out-of-pocket medical expenses, restitution for lost credit rating, and missed mortgage and rental payments so long as the Board deems them to be a "foreseeable" consequence of any unlawful termination. While it is expected this decision will be appealed, employers should fully analyze the circumstances surrounding discipline that could lead to suspension or discharge of employees engaged in protected, concerted activities.



5th circuit court rules against vaccine mandate for federal contractors

A split federal appeals court in New Orleans blocked the President from enforcing his COVID-19 vaccine mandate for government-contractor workers in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Indiana, finding he had overstepped his authority.



Emergency department use for initial comp visits varies widely across states

A recent study by the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) showed "substantial variation" across 28 states, even for the same injuries, calling into question whether some state programs push the more expensive care at the onset of an injury regardless of medical necessity. In 2021, emergency room utilization for initial medical services ranged from 14% in Arizona to 37% in Massachusetts, with many states falling in the 20% to 25% range.



Methylene Chloride poses "unreasonable" risk to workers under certain conditions

In a Federal Register notice, the Environment Protection Agency states that, as a whole chemical substance, methylene chloride, which NIOSH says has contributed to the deaths of multiple workers performing bathtub refinishing, presents unreasonable risk of injury to human health.



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