The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has been tracking the most common causes of workplace injury in the United States for years and “sprains, strains, and tears” remain the top trigger for workers’ compensation claims.
Between 2013 and 2017, the number of non-fatal injuries and illnesses caused by sprains, strains, and tears dropped from 40.2 cases per 10,000 full-time workers to 35. Still, this remains the biggest offender when it comes to keeping employees away from work.
Close behind ‘sprains, strains, and tears’ is ‘overexertion’ with 32 cases per 10,000 full-time employees (down from 37.7 cases in 2013.)
To give you some idea of how many people are injured every year at work, there were about 2.8 million non-fatal incidents reported by private industry employers in 2017. In other words, about 2.8 people per 100 full-time workers were filing workers’ compensation claims, and there were a variety of causes.
TOP 10 CAUSES OF NON-FATAL WORKPLACE INJURY:
#1 Sprains, Strains, Tears
#2 Overexertion and bodily reaction
#3 Falls, Slips, Trips
#4 Contact with objects or equipment
#5 Soreness, Pain
#6 Cuts, Lacerations, Punctures
#7 Bruises, Contusions
#8 Fractures
#9 Violence and other injuries by persons or animals
#10 Transportation incidents
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, November 2018)
The best way to keep your employees safe and productive is to do a thorough safety inspection of the workplace and provide ongoing safety training.
