That's up from the 8 percent that reported staff cuts in 1996. The greatest increase in staffing occurred in construction, where 17 percent of respondents hired personnel. Outsourcing Not surprisingly, there appears to be a connection between staffing and outsourcing activity. Compensating for lean staffs is the outsourcing trend, which is very much alive and well. 20 percent of all respondents increased EHS outsourcing in 1997, while only 5 percent cut back.
Environmental management continues to be a prime outsourcing candidate.
Performance levels Outsourcing doesn't seem to be hurting companies' safety and health performance. 53 percent of all respondents say their injury and illness rates in 1997 are better than a year ago. Only 7 percent say their rates are worse. Some industries are doing better than this average. 60 percent of respondents in manufacturing and construction, and 62 percent in process industries, report improved injury and illness rates in 1997.