U.S. Workplace Injury and Illness Rates Drop in 2015

2.9 million non-fatal workplace injuries and illnesses were reported by private industry employers in 2015, or three cases per the equivalent of 100 full-time workers, according to data released Thursday by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). In all, there were 48,000 fewer cases reported to the agency last year in comparison to 2014’s figure,

While the data furthers a 13-year trend of declines of workplace injuries and illnesses rates – save for a jump in 2012 – the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health issued a statement praising industry’s efforts and offered a reminder that efforts to ensure workplace safety must continue.

“We are encouraged to see the significant decline in worker injury and illness rates. This is the result of the relentless efforts of employers, unions, worker advocates, occupational safety and health professionals, and federal and state government agencies ensuring that worker safety and health remains a top priority every day,” said Secretary Dr. David Michaels.

“Despite the decline, approximately 2.9 million private sector workers suffered nonfatal injuries and illnesses last year. That is still far too many. At OSHA, we will continue to do all that we can to continue driving the rate down,” Secretary Michaels said.

Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction, manufacturing, transportation and warehousing employers reported lower rates of injuries and illnesses in 2015. The manufacturing sector reported about 425,700 cases of injuries and illnesses last year, registering at an BLS incident rate of 3.4.

“Manufacturing continued an 18-year trend as the only private industry sector in which the rate of DJTR [job transfer or restriction only] cases exceeded the rate of DAFW [days away from work] cases,” the BLS report said.

Of the surveyed manufacturing sectors, transportation equipment manufacturing had the highest reported number of workplace injuries and illnesses in 2015 (64,000), followed by fabricated metal product manufacturing (63,500) and food manufacturing (60,200). Leather and allied product manufacturing (1000), petroleum and coal products manufacturing (1300), and apparel manufacturing (2400) had the lowest number of reported injuries among manufacturers. About 15,700 cases were reported in the chemical manufacturing sector that year.