OSHA Releases Latest Report on Work-Related Injuries

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released a new report on work-related injuries and fatalities earlier this month. The government-run agency responsible for ensuring the safety of millions of workers reported just over 3 million nonfatal injuries in 2013, which translates into an incidence rate of roughly 3.3 per 100 workers.

So, how do this numbers fare against work-related injuries from past years? According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), rates of work-related injuries and fatalities have continued to decline since 2003 (with 2012 being the only exception). That's a pretty shocking statistic that attests to the power of OSHA and other safety organizations aimed at protecting our nation's workforce.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is a regulatory body established under the Occupational Safety and Health Act, which President Richard M. Nixon signed into effect in 1970. Ever since OSHA was first established, rates of work-related injuries, illnesses and fatalities have gradually declined. This organization is one of the reasons why the U.S. is viewed as a stronger, healthier job market than many other countries.

The incident report published by OSHA had some rather interesting findings. See below for a brief overview of these findings:

• The total amount of reported injuries and illnesses in private sectors declined in 2013 from 2012.
• The total amount of series injuries reported in private sectors also declined in 2013 from 2012.
• Manufacturing was the only sector which exceeded the rate of cases with days away from work.
• In 2012, the incident rate of work-related injuries was roughly 3.2 per 100 workers. This number declined just slightly to 3.1 per 100 workers in 2013.
• Workplace illnesses accounted for approximately 5.1% of the 3 million plus injuries in 2013.
• Nearly a third of all work-related injuries and illnesses occurred in goods-producing industries.

So, what should you take away from this report? Yes, work-related injuries and illnesses are on the decline. However, millions of people are still injured while performing their professional duties each year. Some of these injuries are minor and cause no reason for immediate concern, while others leave lasting, permanent damage. Employers should invest the necessary resources into ensuring they provide workers with a safe, healthy environment in which to work.

Do you think OSHA is doing a good job at ensuring the safety of American workers? Let us know in the comments section below!