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March 31, 2000 9:25 AM, EST

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is in the process of inspecting 417 trucking-related companies nationwide because of 1998 employer records on injuries or illness.

The reports identified 14 or more injuries and illnesses resulting in lost work days for every 100 full-time workers, compared with the national average of three instances for every 100 workers. The 417 companies involved fall under the Standard Industrial Classification codes, according to the federal agency.

An OSHA spokesman said March 29 that the identities and locations of the companies are being kept confidential until after the inspections are concluded. He said inspections began in February and were ongoing.

The list comprises companies with the nation's highest lost-workday injuries and illnesses, based on employer-related data of 80,000 work sites. About 13,000 companies across the country were issued letters to fix safety and health hazards that OSHA noted drove up injury and illness rates.

For the full story, see the Apr. 3 print edition of Transport Topics. .