According to OSHA’s recently released 2023 data on workplace injuries and illnesses, over 1.5 million incidents were reported across more than 385,000 establishments. This staggering figure underscores the critical importance of workplace safety and the need for proactive measures to protect employees. For the first time, OSHA has gathered detailed incident information from approximately 90,000 establishments, allowing for a more comprehensive analysis of over 883,000 work-related injuries and illnesses.
OSHA has published a 2023 Work-Related Injury & Illness Summary, which highlights several noteworthy statistics:
- First-Year Incidents: Approximately 35% of work-related injuries and illnesses occurred during an employee’s first year on the job.
- Sector Breakdown: Four sectors accounted for a staggering 85% of reported cases:
- Healthcare: 28%
- Transportation/warehousing: 21%
- Retail Trade: 19%
- Manufacturing: 17%
- Common Occupations: The five most frequently reported occupations include:
- Laborers and freight/stock/material movers: 10.9%
- Stockers/order fillers: 8.3%
- Registered nurses: 8.2%
- Nursing assistants: 4.7%
- Injury Analysis: Of the 883,000 reported incidents, a significant 90% resulted in injuries. Among these cases:
- 20% required emergency room treatment, while 1% led to overnight hospitalization.
- 37% resulted in days away from work.
- 30% involved job transfer or restrictions.
To explore this data further, OSHA has made available a video that explains the insights collected through its Injury Tracking Application. The 2023 data can be accessed on OSHA’s website under the “Current ITA Data” section, where you can download two key files:
- 2023 Summary Data – This file contains establishment-level information.
- 2023 Case Detail Data – This file provides in-depth details about specific incidents.
Employers can utilize this summary report alongside the two 2023 data files to identify trends related to injuries, illnesses, and hazardous conditions in the workplace. This information is invaluable for developing risk management and safety strategies aimed at preventing future incidents and fostering a culture of safety.
For more information regarding workplace safety and how to implement effective safety measures, please contact your MMA safety advisor.
