News Room

Continued Decline in Workplace Injuries Underscores Effectiveness of Voluntary Safety Programs

December 20, 2002
WASHINGTON, DC — December 20, 2002 — New government data showing the continued decline in worker illnesses and injuries “underscores the effectiveness of voluntary industry programs to promote workplace safety,” said Tim Hammonds, president and CEO of the Food Marketing Institute (FMI), referring to 2001 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data released yesterday.

     
“We’re particularly pleased to see that food retailer efforts are producing impressive results. The BLS data show that the industry has reduced workplace injuries and illnesses by more than one-third over the past 10 years — from 12.5 per 100 full-time workers in 1992 to 8.1 in 2001.

“The improvement we see in the most recent year — 8.4 to 8.1 — shows our industry’s current and ongoing commitment to worker safety.

“These results also show that OSHA working together with industry to implement changes in the workplace to enhance worker safety is effective.”

Food Marketing Institute (FMI) conducts programs in public affairs, food safety, research, education and industry relations on behalf of its nearly 1,250 food retail and wholesale member companies in the United States and around the world. FMI’s U.S. members operate more than 25,000 retail food stores and almost 22,000 pharmacies with a combined annual sales volume of nearly $650 billion.  FMI’s retail membership is composed of large multi-store chains, regional firms and independent operators. Its international membership includes 126 companies from more than 65 countries. FMI’s nearly 330 associate members include the supplier partners of its retail and wholesale members. 

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