Sometimes, making smart decisions about workplace safety is all about having access to data. When you understand which accidents are most prevalent, it becomes easier to prioritize safety practices that decrease injuries and reduce risk-related costs.
The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) provides useful statistics about violations that can help identify risks your company might face; see Communicating Workplace Safety and Fire Prevention Tips for practical guidance on prevention and planning.
For example, the most frequently cited OSHA violations include inadequate fall protection, improper use of scaffolding and ladders, improper respiratory protection, poorly designed electrical systems, workplace truck accidents, and machinery and machine guard issues.
OSHA is not the only source of insight. Top insurance carriers often publish aggregate claims data to help businesses make risk management decisions; for more on how coverage and workplace safety intersect, see Workers' Compensation, Lean Manufacturing, and Safety Signage.
According to surveys of leading carriers, these are common categories of workers' compensation injuries:
Top reported workers' compensation injuries
- Overexertion injuries: Injuries from lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling that strain major muscle groups.
- Slipping and tripping: Falls on wet or slippery floors or over objects left in walkways.
- Falling from a high location: Falls from roofs, ladders, scaffolding, stairs, or other elevated surfaces.
- Reaction injuries: Non-fall slips and trips that still cause trauma, such as whiplash-like symptoms.
- Falling object injuries: Injuries from objects dropped, dislodged, or falling from shelves or equipment.
- Walking-into injuries: Impacts with fixed objects like walls, doors, glass, or machinery that can cause cuts or fractures.
- Vehicle accidents: Incidents that occur while employees are driving as part of their jobs.
- Machine and equipment entanglement: Common in manufacturing settings where heavy machinery is used.
- Repetitive motion injuries: Conditions like carpal tunnel that develop from repeated motions over time.
- Injuries due to violent acts: Injuries resulting from workplace violence, often following disputes or confrontations.
Use incident data to target training, engineering controls, and maintenance efforts toward the most frequent causes of injury. For specific coverage or claims questions, talk to an agent.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of workplace injuries are most common?
Common injuries include overexertion, slips and trips, falls from height, and repetitive motion injuries.
How can OSHA statistics help my business reduce injuries?
OSHA data highlights frequent violations and hazards, which can guide targeted training and safety investments.
Will workers' compensation cover repetitive motion injuries?
Workers' compensation often covers repetitive motion injuries if they are work-related and documented, but coverage specifics vary by policy and jurisdiction.