Hawaii reports surge in serious work-related accidents

With fatalities, amputations, burns and other serious injuries on the list, the Hawaii State Department of Labor & Industrial Relations on Tuesday announced an alarming surge in workplace incidents over a 20-day period in May.

Between May 2 and May 21, the state saw four fatalities and seven serious injuries that the Hawaii Occupational Safety & Health Division is investigating to “help ensure that employers are providing a safe work environment to their employees and are complying with safety and health laws,” according to a press release.

“This surge in serious industrial accidents is a harsh reminder for employers and workers to think about safety when taking any work actions,” DLIR Director Leonard Hoshijo said in the press statement. “While there’s no apparent connection between the accidents, all employers should examine conditions at their workplaces, safety policies, training and monitoring. Workers need to think safety, and avoid taking unsafe shortcuts to get a job done.”