Minnesota Workplace Injury Rate Reaches All-Time Low
The survey estimated that in 2017, the state had 72,500 workers with OSHA-recordable nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses, compared to 73,600 cases for 2016.
The estimated workplace injury and illness rate for Minnesota in 2017 is at its lowest rate since the measurement began in 1973. Minnesota had an estimated 3.3 OSHA-recordable nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses per 100 full-time-equivalent (FTE) workers in 2017, according to the annual Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses. The estimated 2016 rate was 3.4 cases per 100 FTE workers.
For the survey, the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry collects injury and illness records from randomly sampled Minnesota establishments in the public and private sectors, with the department receiving usable responses for the 2017 survey from about 4,700 establishments. The nationwide survey data is compiled by state agencies and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The survey estimated that in 2017, the state had 72,500 workers with OSHA-recordable nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses, compared to 73,600 cases for 2016. The employment covered by the survey increased to 2.81 million in 2017 from 2.72 million in 2016.
"In the past 15 years, Minnesota has seen a 40 percent decrease in its rate of work-related injuries and illnesses," said Ken Peterson, DLI commissioner. "That's a lot less hurt – physically, emotionally, and financially – for Minnesota's workers. Still, there is much to be done to ensure more Minnesotans go home safe and healthy each night."
An estimated 3,475,900 nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses were reported nationally for private- and public-sector workplaces for 2017, a rate of 3.1 cases per 100 FTE workers.
In Minnesota, the highest total injury and illness rates were seen in the construction industry (5.0 cases per 100 FTE workers), local government (4.8), and health care and social assistance (4.7).