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It
is time – it is way past time – that workplace safety become a major issue in Kansas and in the Kansas legislature. During the 2002 legislative session, I introduced a bill to create the
Workplace Safety Task Force. I offered the bill as an amendment during floor debate on March 20, 2002. Unfortunately, my amendment failed on a vote of 54 in favor and 67 against.
Far too many Kansas working men and women face dangerous conditions at work – dangers that
can be avoided through thoughtful planning and better communication and education between employers and employees.
A 2001 study conducted by the United Health Foundation ranked the states on various factors,
including occupational safety and fatalities. The study ranked the states concerning on-the-job fatalities on a scale of 1 to 50, with 1 being the best and 50 being the worst. Kansas ranked a
disappointing 40. This was a significant drop from the rank of 32 in 1990. The study found that Kansans experienced 7.4 deaths per 100,000 workers. The national average is 5.1 deaths per 100
,000 workers.
We definitely need to do more to raise up the issue of workplace safety and to start addressing and improving the situation in Kansas.
The bill I introduced (2002 House Bill 2888) would establish a Workplace Safety Task Force
made up of a bipartisan group including members representing employers and members representing the Kansas AFL-CIO. The task force would be charged with making recommendations to the
Kansas legislature and governor on the following topics: (1) workplace injuries and deaths; (2) whether sufficient incentives exist in the workers compensation system to promote workplace safety;
(3) the national academy of sciences report on protecting youth at work; (4) the reduction of violence in the workplace; and (5) whether a permanent council on workplace safety should be
established. In addition, the task force should explore ways to make the meat packing plants in Kansas safer places to work.
It is regrettable that a simple and needed bill to raise awareness of workplace safety issues and to
attempt to develop a framework to start addressing these important issues could not receive a majority of votes in the current Kansas legislature. Unfortunately the issue will remain as we
continue to remember those workers who have fallen each year on Workers Memorial Day. If I am elected Insurance Commissioner, I will use the power of that office to raise awareness of the
issue of workplace safety and I will continue to push for legislative action on this critical topic. A safer workplace creates a more productive environment. Less deaths and injuries on the job result
in fewer worker compensation claims and should reduce worker compensation insurance costs for employers. Safe workplaces are a “win, win” concept all the way around.
Let’s work together to make workplace safety a priority issue in the public debate of issues in Kansas government.
Jim Garner is the Democratic Leader of the Kansas House of Representatives and is a candidate for Insurance Commissioner. He has been endorsed by the Kansas AFL-CIO.
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