TRSA members continue to reduce occupational injuries and illnesses and remain safer than non-member textile service operators. Newly compiled 2012 TRSA survey data shows 5-year declines of one third in members’ key incident rates, with their performance at least 20 percent to 30 percent below nonmembers in most such metrics.
From 2008 to 2012, TRSA survey respondents’ combined total reported incident rate (TRIR) fell 35.7 percent and their days away from work, reassignment and transfer (DART) rate dropped 33.3 percent. Comparing 2012 TRSA data with the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS, a Labor Department agency) compilations for the industry as a whole, TRSA respondents were better:
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20 percent in DART at 3.2 incidents per 100 full-time workers vs. 4.0 for the nation’s entire linen and uniform supply (LUS) industry
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30 percent in DART in industrial laundry (IL) at 2.6 vs. 3.7 for all U.S. IL facilities
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21 percent in TRIR for all TRSA respondents at 4.5 vs. 5.7 for the LUS industry
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20 percent in industrial TRIR at 4.0 vs. 5.0 for all ILs
Of the roughly 1,200 industry classifications that BLS produces these statistics for, the LUS figures for TRIR are among the highest, sharing the 80th percentile with 15 other types of businesses, including manufacturers of food, die-cut paper/paperboard office supplies, clay products and footwear. TRSA’s respondents are in just the 62nd percentile. In DART, LUS is at the 91st percentile; TRSA, 79th.
Survey results are on the agenda for discussion at TRSA’s May 21-22 Safety Summit in Indianapolis, where attendees will collaborate on new solutions to persistent risks such as driver safety, ergonomics, blood-borne pathogens and hazard communication. Industry leaders will facilitate these interactive discussions to develop best practices and policies: tangible, immediately applicable tactics participants will use to enhance their companies’ safety cultures.
TRSA introduced the Summit last year in light of the success of such collaboration through other information-sharing techniques under the SafeTRSA banner, such as the survey and online safety training resources. “We are pleased with our members’ response to TRSA efforts to foster enhanced safety management practices and our annual survey has quantified their success,” stated TRSA President and CEO Joseph Ricci. “Our track record of incident reduction indicates we continue to reduce risk and make headway in achieving zero-injury workplaces.”
The data for the 2012 TRSA survey came from 713 “plants” and “depots,” reporting separate results for both. Plants are primarily laundry processing and finishing facilities. Their survey data includes their on-site operations and administrative and route distribution functions. Depots perform mostly route distribution work but may sort soiled laundry and stage clean goods for delivery. The TRSA research shows linen supply depots nearing the zero-incident goal, having registered discernible TRIRs and DARTs in just two of the past five annual surveys. Industrial laundry depots (which handle mostly uniforms) have reduced TRIR by 69.5 percent and DART by 82.7% in the past five years.
Complete results of the TRSA survey are provided at no cost to members who report their data; they receive a customized report showing how their results compare with the sample as a whole. TRSA’s Safety Committee plans to release the full report later this year.
About TRSA
Based in Alexandria, Va., TRSA represents the $16 billion textile services industry, which employs 200,000+ people at 1,500+ facilities nationwide, by advocating for fair regulatory and legislative policy affecting our industry and promoting the environmental benefits of reusable textiles. TRSA increases textile services productivity, sustainability, safety and professionalism through education, certification, research, benchmarking and information-sharing. Most Americans benefit at least once a week from the cleanliness and safety of laundered, reusable linens, uniforms, towels, mats and other products provided to the service, industrial/manufacturing, hospitality, restaurant and healthcare sectors. TRSA quantifies our industry’s commitment to cleanliness and sustainability through its Clean Green and Hygienically Clean Certification programs. Visit the TRSA website at www.trsa.org.
