Common Workplace Injuries – Stats & Facts

FACTS

1. The following workplace hazards result in the injuries to workers that are preventable. 
   

• Overexertion
• Same Level Falls
  
• Struck by Object or Equipment
• Falls to Lower Level
  
• Bodily Reactions or Other Exertions
• Motorized Vehicle Accidents
  
• Slip or Trip with No Fall
• Caught or Compressed by Machinery
  
• Struck Against an Object

1. Most cited violations by OSHA 
   

• Fall Protection
• Hazard Communication Standard
  
• Scaffolding Requirements
• Respiratory Protection
  
• Lockout/ Tagout Requirements
• Powered Industrial Trucks.
  

STATS

• The number of work-related fatalities has declined by more than 65 percent in the last few decades, and work related illnesses have declined by an impressive 67 percent.
• Falls, slips, and trips reported 25,460 such injuries at a rate of 35.9 per 10,000 full-time workers. More than 72,000 workers in trade, transportation, and utilities were also injured in falls during 2019, at a rate of 31.4 per 10,000 full-time workers.
• The BLS categorizes 275,590 incidents as “overexertion and bodily reaction,” making it the most common source of work-related injuries for private companies. 
• Contact with objects or equipment is third place on a list of work-related injuries with 229,410 accidents in this category, 25.8% of all incidents compared to 27.5% for falls, slips, and trips.
• OSHA says 75% of all “struck-by” fatalities involve heavy equipment.
• With 49,430 injuries, transportation incidents only make up about 5.6% of all nonfatal workplace injuries. However, they caused more worker deaths (2,122) in 2019 than the top three workplace injuries combined (1,612).