SHARP Focus Newsletter - Fall 2022

Work-Related Fatalities

Thirty-eight Washington workers died on the job in the first half of 2022. The construction industry experienced the highest number of fatalities, and motor vehicle incidents were the most frequent injury event type. There were more workplace homicides and suicides in the first half of 2022 than in all of 2021. A new SHARP Stat from the Washington FACE program gives more details.

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Janitor Safety and Health

Janitorial work is labor-intensive, often with limited support and resources. Cleaning workers are exposed to many hazards on the job that can lead to injury or illness. SHARP researcher Dr. Jia-Hua Lin recently edited a special issue in the journal Applied Ergonomics focused on the safety and health of workers in cleaning occupations, with SHARP research included in the collection.

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Apprenticeship Increases Plumber Safety

Apprenticeship training is assumed to increase workplace safety, but there has been little research showing its effectiveness at reducing injuries. A newly published SHARP study found that journey level plumbers who graduated from apprenticeship programs had lower workers? compensation claim rates than those who had not. A one-page summary of the research findings is also available.

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H-2A Visa Worker Injuries

The number of seasonal farm workers employed through the H-2A visa program is growing, but little is known about their risk for job-related injury. SHARP researcher and CSTE Applied Epidemiology Fellow Luke Sampson, MPH found that employers who apply for H-2A workers have higher rates of injury claims that cover only medical care, and pay significantly less for wage replacement claims. A slideshow presentation of this preliminary research is available online