We have come a long way. Although we have improved conditions for our workers, many of the products we buy are imported from countries that have lower safety and environmental standards. Since the beginning of the industrial revolution, we have fought for and won significant rights for workers, including the right to a safe working environment. As a result, we have seen the rate of worker injuries and deaths drop significantly in the past 150 years. Accidents cannot be eliminated entirely but many current causes of occupational injury and illness are avoidable.
Lead is but one example of a contaminant that causes illness through occupational exposure.
Economic Occupational injuries destroy careers and undercut family livelihoods. They also raise the rates that we pay for insurance, the cost of doing business, and the cost we pay for products and services. Some jobs are undesirable to workers because of the risk of injury. Environmental Environmental issues are generally not associated with workplace fatalities. However, environmental contaminants are among the causes of occupational harm.