One Third of American Workers Say Their Employers Prioritize Productivity Over Safety

National Safety Council survey finds workers in high-risk jobs are afraid to report safety issues

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Jun 20, 2016, 12:13 ET

ITASCA, Ill., June 20, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today the National Safety Council released survey results showing 33 percent of the 2,000 employees surveyed across the nation believe safety takes a backseat to productivity at their organizations. The percentage was even higher among employees in high-risk industries. Sixty percent of respondents in the construction industry, and 52 percent of those working in agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, felt safety was less of a priority than finishing tasks. These findings are particularly alarming because those industries are first and second when it comes to the number of occupational deaths each year.

The mission of the National Safety Council is to save lives by preventing injuries and deaths at work, in homes and communities and on the road through leadership, research, education and advocacy. (PRNewsFoto/National Safety Council)

The survey is based on the Council's Employer Perception Surveys and is released during National Safety Month, observed each June to raise awareness of the leading causes of preventable death and how Americans can reduce their risks.

"Every employee deserves a safe workplace," said Deborah A.P. Hersman, president and CEO of the National Safety Council. "While some of our findings were encouraging, others were a stark reminder of how far we still have to go to ensure safety is every employer's highest priority."

The number of workplace deaths in 2014 was as high as it has been since 2008, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. More than 4,800 workers died from incidents such as car crashes, slips, trips and falls, contact with objects or equipment and exposure to harmful substances.[i]

Gauging Americans' perceptions toward their safety at work may help provide further insight into the increasing numbers of workplace deaths. Other key survey findings include:

49 percent of temporary and contract workers, and 41 percent of employees working in healthcare settings, said they were afraid to report safety issues
62 percent of construction workers, and those in agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, believe management does only the minimum required by law to keep employees safe
61 percent of employees in the agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting industry say there is resistance to working safely among employees
70 percent of employees say safety training is part of their orientation and that employee health and well-being is promoted at work

Employers interested in improving their safety culture can join the Journey to Safety Excellence, which provides a roadmap for reducing incidents and saving lives. Visit nsc.org/journey for more information.

Full survey results and methodology and available here, and National Safety Month materials and information are available at nsc.org/Safe4Life.

About the National Safety Council
Founded in 1913 and chartered by Congress, the National Safety Council, nsc.org, is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to save lives by preventing injuries and deaths at work, in homes and communities, and on the road through leadership, research, education and advocacy. NSC advances this mission by partnering with businesses, government agencies, elected officials and the public in areas where we can make the most impact – distracted driving, teen driving, workplace safety, prescription drug overdoses and Safe Communities. Safety+Health magazine, the Council's flagship publication, is a leading source of occupational safety and health information.

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[i] According to Injury Facts 2016

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SOURCE National Safety Council