Earlier this month, members of the House Consumer & Human Resources Committee heard a presentation from TOSHA (Tennessee Occupational Safety & Health) Administrator Steve Hawkins. The committee reviewed data showing results from inspection activity between July 1, 2015, and June 30, 2016.
One key takeaway for Tennessee businesses is to consider requesting a visit from TOSHA before the inspector shows. This proactive approach helps get results to include earlier fixes of various workplace hazards and no penalties assessed to the business.
Safety & Health Compliance Program
- 1,451 Inspections Conducted
- 5,177 Hazards Identified
- $2.2M Penalties Assessed
Consultative Assistance Program
- 385 Visits
- 3,369 Hazards Identified
- $ 0 Penalties Assessed
The Bureau of Labor Statistics recorded 112 people lost their lives while working in Tennessee in 2015. According to TOSHA, 2015 workplace fatality incidents for Tennessee fell from 4.8 to 3.7 per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers. The national number was 3.4. In Tennessee, transportation incidents were the leading cause of work-related fatalities (42 percent) followed by contact with an object (19 percent) and falls, including slips and trips (15 percent).
Visit the TOSHA website for more information. Click here to see TOSHA’s slide presentation to the committee.