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Special Focus on

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Customer Service Representatives

Special Section...page 6

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AUSTIN—Texas recorded 457 work-related fatalities in 2008,

a 13 percent decrease compared to 2007 when 528 fatalities

occurred. Nationally, there were 5,071 fatal work injuries in

2008, a decrease of 20 percent from the revised total of 5,657

in 2007, according to the most recently available data released

Aug. 20, 2009, by the U.S. Dept. of Labor, Bureau of Labor

Statistics (BLS), Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI).

The Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation (TDI-DWC) compiles detailed information on all work-related fatalities occurring in Texas for the CFOI, a program jointly administered with the BLS. The TDI-DWC annually releases total fatality counts and descriptive data in an effort to provide information to assist

employers, safety professionals, and policymakers in identifying occupational safety and health issues in the state.

Causes of Fatalities

Transportation incidents continued to be the leading cause of fatalities (44 percent), with a 4 percent increase from 2007. After a consistent decline in fatalities from 2004 to 2007, aircraft incidents rose from 5 in 2007 to 16 in 2008. White, non-Hispanic workers accounted for 88 percent of the total aircraft incidents—an increase of 180 percent from 2007.

Following transportation incidents, assaults and violent acts accounted for the second highest cause of fatalities ( 17 percent).

continued on page 18

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In This Issue

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GALVESTON—The Galveston Fire Department is still recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Ike, and in addition to flood damage to various firehouses, several of the department’s portable radios were damaged or completely destroyed during the storm.

Special Focus: Customer Service Representatives

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Now, thanks to a $7,500 grant awarded by Independent Insurance Agents of Texas (IIAT) and Fireman’s Fund Insurance Co., the Galveston Fire Department will be able to repair or replace all of its damaged radios.

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“For firefighters, being able to effectively communicate at emergency scenes is continued on page 17

SELLING STRATEGIES:

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by Kevin Ring

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