Workplace injuries and fatalities are on the rise.

In October 2018, the National Safety Council (NSC) released an addition to their Injury Facts database – a section to inform employers of trends in workplace injuries and fatalities. There is a lot of data to analyze, so we've picked out the need to know statistics for EHS professionals.

Fatalities at work rose by 7.3% in 2016, with the construction industry experiencing the most deaths, followed by transportation and warehousing. Ken Kolosh, National Safety Council manager of statistics told  EHS Today: “We are eight times safer at work than we are at home, but the data reminds us that our workplaces could still be much safer".

How to use this data for EHS in 2019

Several studies have proven most accidents are the result of minor lapses, usually in quick succession. When minor lapses collate, the risk of a major accident increases.

For example, falls from height are one of the leading causes of death in construction, but it can happen in a split second: a momentary lapse in concentration, a reaction to an unexpected noise, misplaced footing …

With this in mind, it’s crucial for EHS professionals to remain vigilant and carry out incident management. Pro-Sapien recommends the following steps for a successful process in preventing unsafe events:

  • Notification
  • Action
  • Initial Review
  • Investigation
  • Analysis
  • Final Review

See our infographic below for workplace injury facts and figures. National Safety Council Injury Facts is available here. And remember, sharing is caring! Feel free to re-post the infographic using the social media buttons below.

Workplace injuries and fatalities are on the rise.

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Author

  • Holly Callender

    A University of the West of Scotland graduate with a BA in Journalism, Holly joined the Pro-Sapien marketing department in 2018 with a wide range of experience. Outside of business, Holly enjoys cycling, cooking and yoga.