5 Encouraging Facts About Workplace Injuries

As work injury specialists, Dr. Krishna Chunduri and our team at Advanced Spine and Pain Specialists have a unique overview of the types of accidents and injuries that occur in the workplace. While some on-the-job injuries cause permanent disability and lost wages, these types of injuries aren’t the norm. 

In fact, the most common workplace injuries resulting in lost time, job restrictions, or job transfer stem from overexertion and physical reactions, according to the National Safety Council. Most injuries that happen at work are relatively minor events. 

Furthermore, a few encouraging facts about workplace injuries across the country indicate that it’s safer than ever to go to work. Let’s take a closer look at five of these reasons for cautious optimism. 

1. Workplace fatalities

Over a century ago, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) calculated on-the-job fatalities at a rate of 61 deaths per 100,000 workers. In contrast, 2023 saw just 3.5 fatalities per 100,000. 

While much of this can be attributed to safety initiatives, technology, and changes to the job market, the 2023 numbers also represented a 3.7% drop in fatal work injuries over the previous year. 

2. Preventable deaths

Some workplace statistics stem from people who die of natural causes while on the job. Preventable deaths are those resulting from accidents or unintentional events, and these also declined by 3% in 2023. 

3. Nonfatal injuries

The news about nonfatal injuries is even more encouraging. Over the same period, nonfatal injuries, which include the vast majority of at-work injuries from muscle strain to more serious conditions, dropped 8.4%. 

Most of these injuries result from overexertion and bodily reactions, followed by slips, trips, and falls, many of which were preventable. With increased awareness, further reductions in these statistics can be expected. 

4. Illnesses

The lessons of the Covid-19 pandemic seem to have hit home with workers in the United States. In 2023, there was an overall drop of 56.6% in worker illnesses, with an enormous 72.6% decrease in respiratory conditions affecting workers. 

5. Long-term trends

Over the last century, workplace safety has improved due to improvements in standards and regulations, as well as an accompanying boost in application and enforcement. 

The workplace safety culture has also improved, especially in terms of employee engagement and participation, as well as new technologies contributing to personal protective equipment. 

Workplace injuries are no longer regarded as a cost of doing business, and the effects of workplace safety are now considered on an overall return-on-investment basis. Costs of worker’s compensation and retraining fall significantly with each improvement in on-the-job safety. 

Workplace incidents will still continue despite this encouraging news. If you experience a workplace injury, contact Advanced Spine and Pain Specialists at our Chicago, Illinois, office. Book your consultation online or by phone today.