Workplace Injury, Illness Rate Continues to Decline

Workplace injury and illness data released Oct. 27 by the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed a significant drop in the rate of recordable workplace injuries and illnesses in 2015, continuing a pattern of decline that, apart from 2012, has occurred annually for the last 13 years.
Private industry employers reported about 2.9 million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses in 2015, representing a decline of about 48,000 from 2014, despite an increase in total hours worked.
The rate of cases recorded was 3.0 cases per 100 full-time equivalent workers—down from 3.2 cases in 2014. The rate is the lowest recorded since at least 2002, when OSHA recordkeeping requirements were modified.
In Connecticut, the rate of workplace injury and illness cases recorded was 3.2 per 100 FTEs, down from 3.5 in 2014 but still above rate nationally.
Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels issued the following statement:
“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.
“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.”