Each year, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) collects mandated reports of workplace injuries and illnesses. They analyze the results that can be used to evaluate programmatic efficiency in reducing workplace illnesses and injuries. The statistics include an incidence rate, which is the number of injuries per 100 employees. These rates are reported by the industry sector.
The compiled data by the BLS includes the nature and severity of each injury, the number of days work missed due to injury, the age of the injured worker, and the gender of the injured worker. An analysis of BLS statistics continues to show that risk profiles vary predictably across professions. Lower income jobs correlate strongly with a higher incidences of workplace injuries.
In a recent year, the following four industries were found to be the most dangerous, depending on the metric used to measure danger:
- Construction
- Government
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting
- Transportation and warehousing
The top ten on the list and reported incidence rates were:
- Couriers and messengers
- Air transportation
- Wood production manufacturing
- Performing arts, spectator sports, and related industries
- Nursing and residential care facilities
- Animal production and aquiculture
- Hospitals
- Crop production
- Support activities for agriculture and forestry
- Building material and garden supply dealers
What Workplace Injuries are the Most Common?
The most common workplace injuries are sprains, strains, and tears. These are all soft tissue injuries that can occur from a variety of accidents. They occur at a rate of almost 40 cases per 10,000 workers.
Other common injuries include musculoskeletal disorders and general soreness and pain. Bruises, contusions, cuts, lacerations, punctures, and fractures are typical workplace injuries as well. Some injuries are more common in men than women. However, men and women are equally likely to experience burn injuries and multiple traumatic injuries.
What are the Most Common Causes of Workplace Injuries?
The most common causes of reported workplace injuries include overexertion and bodily reaction, which occur at a rate of 36 per 10,000 employees. These account for about 33 percent of all cases. Slip and fall accidents occur at a rate of about 29 per 10,000 employees and account for about 27 percent of reported cases.
How employees get injured is also worth considering. Floors, walkways, or ground surfaces caused about 19 in 10,000 injuries. Individual actions were responsible for about 17 in 10,000 injuries. These statistics reveal that it may be possible to further reduce the rate of incidence of workplace accidents through simple adjustments, such as providing adequate lighting, installing handrails on stairs and platforms, and removing slippery spills immediately after they occur. Other possible contributing factors to workplace injuries could be excessive demands on employees to perform tasks quickly, employees being tired, and workers being distracted.
All employers should make sure that safety and health hazards are addressed. After a severe work accident, an employee should speak to a lawyer about filing a Workers’ Compensation claim.
Delaware County Workers’ Compensation Lawyers at the Law Office of Deborah M. Truscello Help Employees with Catastrophic Injuries
Many industries have serious hazards, and workers should always be mindful of safety; however, accidents can still happen. If you need help with your work accident case, speak to a Delaware County Workers’ Compensation lawyer at the Law Office of Deborah M. Truscello. To schedule a free consultation, call us at (610) 892-4940 or complete our online form. Located in Media, Pennsylvania, we serve clients throughout Bucks County, Chester County, Delaware County, Lancaster, Montgomery County, Norristown, Philadelphia, Reading, and West Chester, Pennsylvania.