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“BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS TOXICOLOGY ANALYSIS” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Labor was published in the Senate section on pages S9782 on Sept. 23, 1997.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS TOXICOLOGY ANALYSIS
Mr. ENZI. Mr. President, the lack of information pertaining to alcohol and substance abuse fatalities in the workplace is alarming. If we are serious about the safety of American workers, we must carefully examine all contributing factors that pose a potential threat while on the job.
I had intended to offer an amendment to the Labor, HHS and Education Appropriations bill that would instruct the BLS to incorporate in their annual report an analysis of toxicology reports in the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries. After meeting with the BLS Commissioner, Katharine Abraham, we agreed that the BLS will again perform this important analysis during the calendar year 1998 and issue a report no later than 6 months after the data collection is completed. This agreement dismisses the need for a congressional mandate. I appreciate BLS's cooperation in properly addressing this matter.
In 1992, the Department of Labor initiated a program to compile data on how alcohol and drugs contributed to fatal work injuries. The BLS's Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries Program collected 1,355 toxicology reports from 43 States and the District of Columbia--roughly one report for every four of the 1992 fatalities. About one-sixth of the cases for which toxicology reports were available, fatally injured workers tested positive for toxic substances. The most frequent cases showed alcohol use followed by cocaine and marijuana.
Unfortunately, the BLS stopped collecting this data in 1995. Although this data was only reported over a 3-year span, it clearly shows that alcohol and substance abuse is a major contributor to fatal workplace injuries. In an effort to understand the safety of American workers, we must have data available to us. The inclusion of this analysis in the annual report sends a message that we do care about the safety of American workers.
Prior to being elected to the U.S. Senate, I was an accountant for Dunbar Well Service in Wyoming--a large, independent oil well servicing company. Aside from my accounting responsibilities, I also traveled the State collecting urine and saliva samples from our employees. Not only have I given alcohol and substance abuse tests, but I've been tested. I understand a thing or two about validity and dignity. This analysis doesn't hinder either of those traits. Safety in the workplace should be everyone's concern. However, if we don't understand how our workers are killed on the job, then we only deceive ourselves. This analysis will provide a better understanding of why and how frequently alcohol and drugs play a contributory role in fatal work injuries.
Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the letter sent to me from BLS Commissioner, Katharine Abraham, be printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the letter was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows:
U.S. Department of Labor,
Washington, DC, September 4, 1997.Hon. Michael B. Enzi,U.S. Senate, Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, DC.
Dear Senator Enzi: I am writing regarding the proposal to require the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to gather and analyze toxicology reports on workers who have been fatally injured on the job.
Since 1991, the Bureau has conducted the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI), which compiles a complete roster of workers who are fatally injured at work each year, along with details about the fatal events. In 1991 and 1992, the Bureau conducted research studies in which toxicology reports were collected as part of the fatality census. The reports were analyzed with the help of Dr. William M. Marine, Professor of Preventive Medicine and Biometrics at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center.
Toxicology reports were obtained from a variety of sources, including medical examiner or coroner reports, police reports of motor vehicle accidents, and autopsy reports. In some jurisdictions, toxicology reports are not available to BLS because of State confidentiality requirements. It also should be noted that toxicology tests are not completed for all deaths. Often tests are performed only when there is a suspicion of drugs present, though the practice regarding conduct of toxicology tests varies by State. In 1991, for example, the share of work-related fatalities for which toxicology reports were available varied from more than 50 percent (in 8 of 23 States for which reports were provided) to less than 10 percent (in 10 of the 23 States).
For 1991, 23 of 31 States that participated in the fatality census provided toxicology reports. Toxicology reports were available for 28% (829) of the 2,968 work-related fatalities in the 23 States. For 1992, 43 States and the District of Columbia submitted toxicology reports. Reports were received for 1,355 deaths representing 25% of the total work-related fatalities in these States.
Positive toxicology results were found for 125 of 829 cases for which reports were available for 1991. Alcohol was present in 49% of the 125 cases; amphetamines were present in 12%; marijuana in 12%; and cocaine in 10%. For 1992, positive toxicology results were found for 214 deaths out of 1,355 for which reports were received. Alcohol was present in 52% of the 214 cases; cocaine in 17%; marijuana in 13%; and antidepressants, amphetamines, barbiturates, morphine, codeine, methadone or other substances in 17%. These figures exclude cases in which there were toxicological findings that could have been due to the life-saving efforts of hospitals or others. A positive toxicological finding nonetheless does not establish the extent to which alcohol or drugs contributed to the fatality.
I would be happy to meet with you or your staff to discuss the toxicological studies the Bureau has conducted and their findings. If you feel, based on that discussion, that it would be valuable to repeat this type of study, the Bureau will gather and analyze toxicology reports on workers who have been fatally injured on the job during calendar year 1998, and will issue a report no later than six months after the data collection is completed.
I hope you find this information useful. Please let me know if we can be of further assistance.
Sincerely yours,
Katharine G. Abraham,Commissioner.
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