Vol. 71/No. 31      September 3, 2007

More than 4 million workers in private industries were injured or made sick in 2005. Of these, about 950,000 were hurt to the point they could not return to their job. Statistics for last year have not yet been released.

Grossly understated, these figures are based solely on what bosses report. In addition, workers in factories, fields, and mines face many pressures to keep quiet about injuries and illnesses.

Another 50,000-60,000 workers die each year from job-related illnesses.

There were 47 deaths in the coal mining industry last year, more than double the number for the previous year. But this is only part of the picture. One in 20 miners have black lung, a job-related illness that kills an estimated 1,500 workers a year.

Last year 1,226 construction workers were killed on the job, the most for any industry sector. Fishing workers died at the highest rate, about 14 fatalities for every 10,000 workers.
 
 
Related articles:
Utah miners: company disregard for safety led to mine collapse
Organize the mines!
Mine boss Murray has long antiworker record
'Militant' gets warm welcome in Utah
Young Socialists back struggle by Utah miners  
 
 
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