KY’s Dept. of Workplace Standards Focuses on Improving the State’s Workplace Fatality Record

According to the Courier-Journal, a man working for Cintas servicing industrial dryers was found dead inside a dryer last week.  The man apparently tried to dislodge something that had become stuck when he fell into the running dryer. The accident that occurred at the Uniform Services & Work Apparel of Louisville, KY, left the company and the man’s coworkers devastated by the tragedy.  The company released a statement saying, “Our deepest heartfelt sympathy is extended to his family.” 

Also last week, two men lost their lives in a mining accident in Centertown, KY.   The two men died at Armstrong Coal’s Equality mine in Ohio County when their truck was crushed under falling rock at the surface mine.  “Mine safety is of paramount importance, and investigative teams will begin work immediately to determine the cause of this accident and whether there are any steps that can be taken to ensure such an accident does not occur again,” Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear said in a statement.  According to the news report, there have been six mine-related deaths in Kentucky this year. 

Unfortunately, these accidents do not help the poor safety record that Kentucky has in workplace injuries and deaths.  Kentucky is plagued by a high number of workplace fatalities, and the state’s occupational fatality rate this year is higher than last year’s. 

KY State reporting guidelines requires employers to report on-the-job fatalities, amputations, and hospitalizations within 72 hours of the incident.  Fatalities, however, must be reported within 8 hours.  According to the state’s current 2011 fatality data, there have been 28 workplace fatalities. This number does not count the fatalities reported last week.  In 2010, there were just 19 workplace fatalities during the same reporting period, and by the end of the year there were just 24.  2009 saw 30 fatalities by this time of the year, and 36 total for the year. 

However, Kentucky Labor Cabinet’s Department of Workplace Standards recognizes the problem with workplace injuries, and they have partnered with Eastern Kentucky University’s OSHA Training Institute Education Center (OTIEC) to offer training geared towards improving workplace safety.  Kentucky Labor Cabinet Secretary Mark Brown said in a press release earlier this month that Kentucky “is well-known for having a very productive workforce. What we’re working for is having one of the safest workplaces in the nation.” 

Kentucky is one of 26 states that has developed and operates its own job safety and health program in conjunction with the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).  In 2008, Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear re-established the Kentucky Labor Cabinet with the purpose of streamlining the state’s services and concentrating limited resources on frontline, regulatory activity.  

The responsibility for enforcing occupational safety and health law in Kentucky is now vested in the Labor Cabinet and assigned to the Department of Workplace Standards.  Kentucky must maintain job safety and health standards that are “at least as effective as” comparable federal standards. 

Our Kentucky workers’ compensation lawyers urge employees to follow safety guidelines while on the job.  However, we especially encourage our KY employers to provide a safe working environment for all Kentucky employees.  It is critical that we all work together to keep our workers safe.