BLS Data Reveals Workplace Injury Rates in 2023 Were Lowest in Decades
Workplace injury rates in 2023 reached a record low, though OSHA highlights that more progress is needed to protect U.S. workers.
- By Robert Yaniz Jr.
- Nov 15, 2024
The latest Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data reports that 2023 saw the lowest recorded workplace injuries and illnesses in two decades. The rate of recordable, non-fatal injuries and illnesses in the private sector fell by 8.4 percent from 2022.
Now, in a recent release, OSHA Assistant Secretary Douglas Parker has weighed in on the report, attributing the progress to a combination of strong enforcement and collaborative efforts between government agencies, labor groups, and the private sector, all of which aim to prioritize worker safety.
“We are encouraged by these significant improvements in injury and illness rates in 2023,” Parker said. “Despite the progress reported today, OSHA’s work is far from complete. Too many workers are injured or sickened every day in the United States, mostly from preventable incidents. We all must continue our commitment to making sure that every worker is able to go home healthy and whole.”
The BLS report follows recent OSHA analyses indicating a decline in worker fatalities in OSHA-regulated industries. The 2023 edition of Employer-Reported Workplace Injuries and Illnesses is available on the BLS website.
About the Author
Robert Yaniz Jr. is the Content Editor of Occupational Health & Safety.