Adding Inequality to Injury: The Costs of Failing to Protect Workers on the Job

Overview

U.S. Department of Labor/OSHA report topics include: Work injuries and illnesses impose heavy costs on workers, families and the economy. Injured workers and taxpayers subsidize high hazard employers. The changing structure of work in the U.S. increases risk of injury and contributes to income inequality. Occupational injuries and illnesses strain social insurance programs and result in taxpayer subsidies of unsafe employers. The most effective solution: greater efforts to prevent work injuries and illnesses.