Bureau of Labor Statistics releases employer-reported workplace injury, illness results

The Bureau of Labor Statistics has released the results of its "Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII)," which show that private industry employers reported nearly 3 million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses in 2014. The rate reported for 2014 continues a pattern of decline that, with the exception of 2012, has occurred annually for the last 12 years.

Private industry employers reported nearly 54,000 fewer nonfatal injury and illness cases in 2014 compared to a year earlier. With this decline combined with an increase in reported hours worked, the total recordable cases (TRC) incidence rate fell 0.1 case per 100 full-time workers. The fall in the TRC rate was driven by a decline in the rate of other recordable cases, as rates for both cases involving days away from work (DAFW) and for cases of job transfer or restriction only (DJTR) were unchanged in 2014.

Manufacturing continued a 17-year trend as the only private industry sector in which the rate of DJTR cases exceeded the rate of DAFW cases. The rates for these two case types were unchanged from a year earlier at 1.2 cases and 1.0 case per 100 full-time workers, respectively.

Nearly 0.7 million of the 2.8 million injuries reported occurred in goods-producing industries, which accounted for 17.6 percent of private industry employment. Goods-producing industries accounted for 35.6 percent of all occupational illness cases in 2014, resulting in an incidence rate of 26.0 cases per 10,000 full-time workers—down 1.6 cases.

After reviewing the report, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels issued the following statement: “Today’s Bureau of Labor Statistics report shows that too many workers are still being injured or sickened on the job. Workplace injuries and illnesses have a devastating effect on workers, their families, and the businesses where they occur. Everyone benefits when there are fewer injuries and illnesses. OSHA is committed to continue increased efforts to ensure every employer is fulfilling its responsibility to protect the safety and health of its workers.”