Workers' Compensation: US Workplace Injuries Drop to Historic Lows

In a landmark year for workplace safety, private industry employers reported the lowest injury rates since 2003, marking a significant milestone in the ongoing effort to protect American workers. The latest Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) report reveals that 2023 wasn't just a good year for workplace safety – it was historically good.

The Numbers Tell a Story of Progress

The headline figures are impressive: 2.6 million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses in 2023, representing an 8.4% drop from the previous year. But what's particularly noteworthy is the rate of these incidents – just 2.4 cases per 100 full-time workers, the lowest in two decades of record-keeping.

Total nonfatal work injury and illness rates
in private industry

The COVID Effect: A Silver Lining

Perhaps the most dramatic improvement is in workplace illnesses, where we saw a stunning 56.6% decrease to 200,100 cases. Respiratory illnesses, in particular, plummeted by 72.6%. These figures suggest that the harsh lessons learned during the pandemic about disease prevention and workplace hygiene haven't been forgotten—they've been institutionalized.

Not All Good News: Areas of Concern

However, beneath the positive headlines lie some concerning trends. While the healthcare sector showed improvements in illness prevention, there was an increase of 27,800 injury cases. Similarly, food and beverage stores reported a 6.5% rise in injuries, bucking the overall downward trend.

Industry Spotlight: Winners and Worriers

The Success Stories

Manufacturing saw both injuries and illnesses decline
Retail trade reduced total cases by 68,800
Transportation and warehousing maintained steady improvement

The Challenge Areas

Healthcare and social assistance, despite overall improvements, face ongoing physical safety challenges
Food and beverage stores show concerning increases in workplace injuries
Couriers and messengers continue to experience high incident rates

What This Means for American Workers

For the average American worker, these statistics represent more than just numbers – they reflect a genuine improvement in workplace safety. The risk of getting injured or ill at work is lower than it's been in decades. However, the data also suggests that certain occupations continue to carry higher risks than others.

Looking Ahead: The Road to Zero

While celebrating these historic lows, safety professionals and employers must remain vigilant. The data points to several clear priorities for the future:

Addressing physical safety in healthcare settings
Investigating the rise in retail injuries
Maintaining the successful illness prevention protocols developed during the pandemic
Focusing on high-risk industries that consistently show elevated incident rates

The Bottom Line

The 2023 workplace safety data tell a story of progress, learning, and adaptation. While we've achieved historic improvements, persistent challenges in certain sectors remind us that the journey toward safer workplaces is ongoing.

Record-low injury rates show what's possible when employers, workers, and safety professionals work together toward a common goal. Maintaining this momentum while addressing remaining challenges will be crucial for protecting America's workforce as we move forward.

This analysis is based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII) report, which was released on November 8, 2024.

Recommended Citation: Gelman, Jon L., US Workplace Injuries Drop to Historic Lows, www.gelmans.com (11/09/2024)

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*Jon L. Gelman of Wayne, NJ, is the author of NJ Workers’ Compensation Law (West-Thomson-Reuters) and co-author of the national treatise Modern Workers’ Compensation Law (West-Thomson-Reuters). For over five decades, the Law Offices of Jon Gelman 1.973.696.7900
jon@gelmans.com has represented injured workers and their families who have suffered occupational illnesses and diseases.