Is Workplace Safety Improving? The Answer May Surprise You

New Report Shows Gains in Workplace Safety

Results of a recent survey conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics offers a hopeful glimpse into the world of workplace safety—proving workplace accident prevention efforts continue to have a positive impact on the the amount of injuries and illnesses in the work environment. 

Released Dec. 4, the survey shows slightly more than 3 million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses were reported by private industry employers in 2013, which by all accounts suggests a pattern of statistically significant declines over the last 11 years.

The following are some key findings of the 2013 survey of occupational injuries and illnesses:

• The rate of reported injuries and illnesses declined significantly in 2013 among the manufacturing, retail trade, and utilities sectors, but was statistically unchanged among all other private industry sectors compared to a year earlier.
• The incidence rate of injuries only among private industry workers declined to 3.1 cases per 100 full-time workers in 2013, down from 3.2 cases in 2012.
• For the first time since 2009, the rate of serious injuries and illnesses requiring days away from work, job transfer or restriction declined.
• The majority (75.5 percent) of the estimated 3 million injuries in 2013 occurred in service-providing industries, including trade, transportation, hospitality and health services.

In the wake of the report, Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA, David Michaels, said all industries must continue to implement and reinforce workplace safety measures in order to bring the number of workplace injuries and illnesses below the 3 million mark.

“We are encouraged that the rates continue to decline over the past few years, even during this period of healthy economic growth when we would expect the rate of injuries to rise. The decrease in the injury rate is a product of tireless work by those employers, unions, worker advocates and occupational safety and health professionals all coupled with the efforts of federal and state government organizations that make worker safety and health a high priority each and every day.”

At NARFA, we’re constantly finding ways to educate and empower our members with the best company safety advice available. Whether it’s tips on how to shovel snow safely or information on important changes for small business health insurance, our goal is to keep you up to date on the latest news in the automotive, roads, and fuel industry.

Contact us to learn more about what other benefits administration services we offer, or to hear more about the culture of company safety that we cultivate as part of our AICC worker’s compensation coverage program. And don’t forget to stay connected with our Health & Wellness Safety Tips—we’re always adding more tips to help you and your employees create workplace safety.