Work-related deaths in Texas highest in a decade

[TexasTowelie]

Texas recorded more than 500 work-related fatalities in 2012, the highest number for the state in a decade. And that follows two years of decreases in fatalities.

That’s according to preliminary data from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor of Statistics.

A total of 531 fatalities were reported in 2012, an increase of more than 20 percent over the previous year.

The deadliest occupation in Texas was driving heavy and tractor-trailer trucks “with a 57 percent increase in fatal injuries,” according to a statement from the Texas Department of Insurance. Construction deaths also increased.

More at http://crimeblog.dallasnews.com/2013/08/work-related-deaths-in-texas-highest-in-a-decade.html/ .

[font color=green]But we're #1 for small business job creation.[/font]

[Ilsa]

1. Good post. Is there a state ranking, I guess

using job-related accidental deaths per 100,000 workers? It wouldn't surprise me if Texas was high on the list.

[madrchsod]

2. here`s an interesting article comparing texas and california

this should answer your question.

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/texas-353624-california-percent.html

here`s another by the us government for all 12-13

http://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/fatals.htm

[TexasTowelie]

3. In addition, workers compensation is mandatory in California while it is optional in Texas.

I am also familiar that the Workers Compensation Insurance Rating Board of California is much more diligent with investigating whether employees are categorized with the incorrect class codes for employees than in Texas so that the correct premium is charged for each occupational class. The investigative and enforcement mechanisms are lax in Texas by comparison. Since the employees are misclassified more frequently in Texas it means that the taxpayers have to provide additional social services to injured workers rather than having the employers pay for those costs.

ETA: I have extensive experience in WC insurance and had to file financial data with WCIRB and TWC; therefore, I'm aware of the differences between the two states and the underlying social safety net issues.

[Wilms]

4. Rick Perry will now invite morticians to open businesses in TX. n/t

[TexasTowelie]

5. And FWIW, George W. Bush pretty much gave carte blanche to that industry

when he was governor of Texas. He ran off the director of the Texas Funeral Services Commission when she tried to levy huge fines against a group of funeral homes in the Dallas area that used unlicensed funeral embalmers. The owner of those funeral homes was a major campaign donor that provided nearly a half million dollars to Bush's campaign funds.

[Wilms]

6. You can't turn a corner...

...without bumping into another corrupt act.