Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su responds to identified inaccuracies in USDA worker safety data, outlining steps to enhance data integrity and reinforce commitment to worker safety.
In a recent statement, Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su addressed concerns about the accuracy of worker safety data reported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This is after an internal review by the Bureau of Labor Statistics identified some human errors and technical glitches affecting the integrity of certain datasets.
The BLS inquiry concluded that the mistakes were individual events, which occurred mostly due to a failure to adhere to prescribed practices and rules. The analysis, conducted by Jonathan Schwabish of the Urban Institute, found no intentional or malicious motive behind the inaccuracies. To this end, the BLS has pledged to upgrade its staff’s training and its internal procedures in order to prevent similar events in the future.
She called attention to the importance of precise data in framing appropriate labor policies as well as maintaining worker safety and welfare. Acting Secretary Su was quoted as saying, “The integrity of our data is what matters most. We are already taking steps in these areas, reinforcing our transparency and accuracy efforts.”
Worker safety data of the USDA are essential in developing policies to safeguard laborers from different sectors, such as agriculture and meat processing. Recent discussions have focused on the challenges facing these industries, particularly labor shortages and the necessity of comprehensive immigration reform to bridge workforce gaps.
The Labor Department’s proactive measures to rectify data inaccuracies underscore the administration’s dedication to upholding worker safety standards. By implementing improved training and stringent adherence to protocols, the department aims to restore confidence in the data that informs critical policy decisions affecting millions of workers nationwide.
