Workplace safety is important in all industries and all 50 states. By examining recent data from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and other safety organizations, we can begin to see trends and issues in workplace safety.
Rate of injuries among full-time workers:
- 2.8 per 100
- 0.9 per 100 who missed several days of work
- 0.7 per 100 who required a job transfer or new restrictions
Three most dangerous states for workplace accidents:
- Wyoming: 11.5 accidents per 100,000 full-time workers
- Alaska: 9.9 per 100,000
- North Dakota: 9.6 per 100,000
Nonfatal injury and illness totals in seven industries:
- Healthcare: 544,800 injuries and 32,700 illnesses
- Retail: 401,100 and 8,800
- Manufacturing: 395,300 and 35,000
- Accommodation and food service: 271,000 and 7,600
- Transportation and warehousing: 213,100 and 8,300
- Construction: 195,600 and 3,600
- Tech and office industries: 66,100 and 4,400
Leading causes for nonfatal workplace accidents:
- Overexertion
- Falls, slips, and trips
- Struck by objects or equipment
- Workplace violence
- Vehicle accidents
Most common injuries suffered in the workplace:
- Sprains, strains, and ligament tears
- Body aches or pains
- Lacerations
- Contusions and bruises
- Bone fractures
Workplace injuries compared to employee age and sex:
- Men were involved in more than half of all workplace accidents despite representing less than half of the workforce in some areas and industries.
- Workers aged 55 or older usually missed two weeks after a workplace injury, but workers younger than 25 missed only five days for comparable incidents.
What Can We Learn From These Statistics?
The first lesson we can glean from 2019 workers’ compensation statistics is that occupational illnesses are predictably high in industries involving frequent interactions with airborne contagions and hazardous chemicals. Healthcare and manufacturing industries had significantly higher rates of occupational illnesses than any other industry, with both of their totals reaching above 30,000 reported illnesses that required workers’ compensation payouts. This data also tells us that more precautions need to be taken in both of these industries to protect workers from harm, such as PPE provided to all workers. Occupational illness trends are expected to look much different and much worse in 2020, though, due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The 2019 workers’ comp data also reveals what is always suspected: most workplace accidents are entirely preventable. The leading cause of injury is overexertion, which should be prevented through simple means like team lifting heavy objects, providing better break and shift schedules to workers, and applying better safety training procedures. Slips, trips, and falls are the second leading cause, which is often related to clutter and carelessly around the workplace.
Lastly, the statistics show us that on-the-job injuries frequently take people out of work for days. Whether the worker is young or nearing retirement, they might miss an entire workweek due to an injury that requires prompt medical care. With so many people living paycheck-to-paycheck recently, losing just five days of work can be financially devastating, so obtaining fair and maximized workers’ compensation benefits after an accident is more important than ever.
For reliable legal guidance for a workers’ compensation claim in Florida, choose Politis & Matovina, P.A. in Daytona Beach. Our attorneys can move your claim along from start to finish, dealing with stubborn insurance companies and employers on your behalf while always keeping your best interests in center focus. Call (386) 333-6613 to learn more about our legal experience and services.