By the Numbers: Falls in the Workplace

Unintentional falls are the most common form of injury across the country: every day last year, falls resulted in almost 1,800 reported emergency department visits and 417 hospital admissions, says a new report by the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI).

In the U.S. in 2017, fatal falls were at their highest level in the 26-year history of the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) accounting for 887 (17 percent) worker deaths.

• 65% of fall-related injuries occur as a result of falls from same-level walking surfaces.
• The services, wholesale, and retail trade industries together accounted for over 60% of injuries that resulted from same level falls.
• An estimated 20 – 30% of people who experience a slip and fall will suffer moderate to severe injuries such as bruises, hip fractures, or head injuries.
• The most common fractures that occur from slip and fall accidents are fractures are of the spine, hip, forearm, leg, ankle, pelvis, upper arm, and hand.
• 1 in 6 of all lost-time work injuries result from slips, trips and falls.
• Slips, trips and fall injuries make up almost 20 percent of all job-related injuries.
• It is estimated that these injuries result in an average of 11 days away from work.
• Slips, trip and fall injuries cost employers approximately $40,000 per incident