OSHA claims success
OSHA put out a press release on their enforcement activities in 2007, boasting of over 39,300 inspections against a goal of 37,700. They report 88,846 violations in 2007. The 2006 injury numbers are in, and workplace fatality rates were the lowest since records have been kept, down to 3.9 deaths for every 100,000 employees.
Good news, but the fatality numbers apply to immediate or short-term deaths. Diseases caused by long-term occupational exposure (such as to asbestos) are not counted in this number.
