Behind every statistic lies a story. Workplace safety facts are not just numbers on a page; they represent lives, livelihoods, and the well-being of individuals. Some of these numbers tell a shocking tale of apathy towards the hard workers in industries like construction, mining, demolition and manufacturing.

In this article, we delve into the workplace safety statistics that explain how the matter of precaution and hazard-identification at worksites is a matter that requires your immediate attention.

Some Interesting Workplace Safety Facts

Here are the OSHA facts and statistics that shed light on the urgency of workplace safety.

Let’s dive in.

1. In 2019, Almost one Worker died from a Work-Related Injury every 99 minutes

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in the United States, it has been noticed that there were nearly 5,333 severe workplace injuries in 2019. A 2% rise from 5,250 recorded in 2018. In 2021, a worker would pass away from a workplace injury every 101 minutes.

2. In 2021, 2.6 million Illnesses and Non-Fatal Workplace Injuries in the Private Sector

By the employers of private industry, it has been reported that there were almost 2.6 million illnesses and injuries in 2021. There might be a 1.8% decrease in diseases from 2020 (from 544,600 to 365,200 in 2021) in private organizations.

3. Construction Industry has the Highest Rate of Fatal Injuries

Every year, a minimum of 108 thousand employees die at their workplaces which accounts for 30% of all fatal accidents and severe injuries. According to data from several developed nations, construction workers have greater chances to die in the workplace and roughly 3 to 4 times more chances than other industry workers.

4. Workplace Injuries Due to Transportation have Increased

With 2,122 cases, transportation incidents reached a record high in 2019. This represented an increase of 2%. The most severe work-related injuries happened due to material moving and transportation, and on average, there were 1,523 deadly workplace injuries in 2021. It was a significant rise of 18.8 as compared to 2020. But they are still 6.6% down from 2019.

5. Fall/Trips/Slips Increased Almost 11% as Compared to 2019

Due to falls, trips, and slips, there were almost 880 fatalities which might rise up by 11% from 2018. Fire and explosion-related workplace fatalities declined 14% from 115 to 99 in between. Almost 66% of Latino workers were killed while performing their everyday tasks at the workplace, It has been recorded a total number of 1088 Non-American citizens. 

6. Exposure to Hazardous Substances Increased the Workers’ Fatality Rate in 2021

In 2021, the number of fatalities increased due to exposure to hazardous substances and it has led to 798 employees. It might be considered as the highest figure as compared to other years. This category experienced a significant increase in deaths, almost 18.8% from 2020 to 2021. 

7. Hazardous Materials Cause Skin Cancers

According to the International Labor Organization, it is estimated that exposure to hazardous compounds at work causes 10% of skin cancers worldwide and that they kill roughly 438,000 employees annually.

8. The Fatality Rate of Drivers Increased by 16.3% in 2021

From 887 casualties in 2020 to 1032 deaths in 2021, the number of fatalities of truck drivers and sales workers increased by 16.3%. Transportation is one of the major causes of an increase in workers’ death rate.

9. Employers Pay $1 Billion and More Per Week for Non-Fatal Workplace Injury

According to Liberty Mutual’s 2021 Workplace Safety Index, companies in 2018 spent more than $1 billion per week on direct workers’ compensation payments for incapacitating, non-fatal workplace injuries.

10. The Total Cost of Injuries in the United States Cost of $167 Billion in 2021

Injuries at work cost an estimated $167.0 billion in 2021. This amount accounts for $47.4 billion in lost wages and productivity, $36.6 billion in medical costs, and $57.5 billion in administrative costs.

11. OSHA has Increased its Budget in 2022

The federal agency’s budget has grown by $10 million since 2020, when it was $581,787,000 a year. The total annual spending for OSHA in 2019 was $557,787,000. In 2022, OSHA has a budget of 591,787,000 U.S dollars.

12. Only 1,850 OSHA Inspectors Oversee the Safety and Health of More Than 130 Million American Workers

Despite the fact that OSHA’s federal branch only has 10 regional offices & 85 local offices. However, each of its state affiliates has over 8 million workplaces worldwide. This is around one OSHA inspector out of every 70,000 U.S. workers, including 1850 state and federal regulators.

13. Manufacturing Employment Accounts for 15% of Occupational Injuries in America

According to a BLS report, manufacturing workers in the United States have the fastest rate of occupational injuries in the private sector. In 2019, there were 421,400 incidents with non-fatal illnesses and diseases. 

14. Non-Fatal Intentional Harm and Homicides Increased in the Workplace in 2020

In 2020, 392 workplace homicides happened. Additionally, there were 37,060 nonfatal injuries at work that were caused by another person’s purposeful harm. In 2020,  transportation and material movement, construction and extraction, management, production, and sales were the five occupational groups with the highest number of workplace homicides. Of all workplace assassinations in 2020, 23.5 percent occurred in sales and associated occupations.

15. In the Private Sector, 7% of Males are more likely to Sustain an Injury at Work than Men in Government Jobs

According to BLS statistics, there were 60% of cases involving Occupational injuries, most of them related to male workers working in the private sector, while 40% were associated with women. However, in the Government sector, men suffered 53% more injuries than women (47%). 

16. The Number of Workplace Fatalities in the US has Decreased by Over 60 Percent

OSHA reports that nationwide, workplace fatalities in 2019 were 60.53% lower if compared with 1970s data. In 50 years, the average number of workplace deaths in the country, across all industries, decreased from 38 to 15 per day from 1970 to 2019.

17. Between the Ages of 25 and 34, 21.3% of those quit their Jobs due to Workplace Injuries in 2019

As per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that, of the 888,220 workers who missed at least one day of work due to an injury experienced at work, 189,310 were between the ages of 25 and 34, and 184,850, or 20.8%, were the ages of 45 and 54.

18. The most Workplace Fatalities Occurred in Texas and California in 2019 Compared to all Other States

According to the United Labor of Statistics, in 2019, 488 workers died in Texas, whereas 422 employees died in California while working. However, Texan reported a fatal accident rate that was 3.8 for every 100,000 full-time workers and 2.3 rates in California.

19. Georgia, Delaware, and Arkansas are Considered the least Dangerous States for Workplace injury

Other states that have the lowest number of nonfatal workplace illnesses and injuries are North Carolina, Louisiana, Virginia, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, South Carolina, Ohio, and Texas. These stats have a 2.8% injury rate which is much lower than the national average.

20. People who Suffer Workplace Injuries Skip Eight Consecutive Days of Work on Average

In the private sector in 2019, the average number of days missed due to work-related accidents or injuries was eight. However, several industries reported higher-than-normal rates of absenteeism due to workplace accidents.

21. Workplace Injuries and Accidents Decrease the 4% of GDP that a Government is Unable to Repay

The cost of illness, injury, and death results in a loss of roughly 4% of the global gross domestic product due to lost productivity, workplace injury, medical expenses, disability payments, and compensation for survivors.

22. Amazon Warehouse Workers Experienced Significant Injuries in 2022

According to the Strategic Organizing Center, Amazon warehouse worker accidents were 70% more common in 2022 than at other warehousing companies. The analysis is based on federal injury statistics that Amazon provided to the agency in charge of workplace safety, OSHA.

23. 50 to 76% of Musicians in the Professional Sector have Spoken about Serious Injuries

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, almost 50 to 76% of musicians suffer from musculoskeletal injuries. It turns out that excessive use of the limbs and enthusiasm for loud music can harm the human body.

24. PPE Used Properly can Minimize Workplace Injuries by up to 90%

According to National Safety Council research, wearing PPE decreased employees’ risk of foot injuries by 60%, skull fractures by 85%, and injuries to the eyes by 90%. Therefore, it is evident that wearing PPE can significantly reduce the rates of accidents and injuries that occur at work.

25. Industries like Construction, Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing, have Higher Workplace Fatality

As per the National Council Injury Facts, transportation and warehousing, construction, agriculture, fishing, and forestry experience the highest illness and death rate of employees. It involves per 10,000 workers resulting in days off due to illness and injuries. 

Let’s Begin Your Workplace Safety Journey

These workplace safety facts underscore the importance of prioritizing workplace safety to protect employees, reduce financial burdens on businesses, and improve overall productivity and well-being. Employers should continually assess and improve safety measures to create a safer working environment for all employees. However, to build a well-being and safe place, enrolling in OSHA 10 hour construction and OSHA 30 hour construction courses helps you to avoid becoming a number in these stats. 

Sources:

International Labor Organization (ILO), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov), National Safety Council Injury Facts, OSHA.Gov, CNBC