The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) compiles data about occupational injuries and illnesses (I&I), and issues annual reports about occupational injuries, illnesses and fatalities. BLS cooperates with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements that employers record occupational I&I as they occur, and compile annual I&I logs to inform workers and regulators of overall rates. BLS issued its report for calendar year 2023 in December 2024, highlighting causes and distributions of workplace deaths, and noting that they were lower than in 2022. The rest of this note summarizes how these occupational incidents are reported and counted.
How are workplace I&Is including deaths reported?
OSHA requires employers to record occupational injuries and illnesses and compile them in an I&I log. Employers must post annual totals for each workplace by February 1 of the next year, and large and/or high hazard employers must provide annual summaries directly to OSHA. OSHA also requires employers to report incidents leading to death, amputation or hospitalization, and requires some employers to report occupational deaths within 8 hours, and incidents that lead to an amputation or hospitalization within 24 hours. (I have written about developing I&I recording and reporting several times, most recently HERE). These requirements apply in states where OSHA regulates directly, and delegated states (“state plan states”) must have equally protective requirements.
How are national I&I data compiled and reported?
BLS collects and compiles information from OSHA and states, and uses statistical modeling to fill data gaps. On November 8, 2024 BLS released its report on “Employer-Reported Workplace Injuries and Illnesses, 2023,” and OSHA issued a press release touting improvements in I&I rates. On December 19, BLS reported out its “Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries Summary, 2023.”
What I&I rates are reported for 2023?
The BLS report covers private sector employers. Nonfatal I&I in 2023 total 2.6 million, down 8.4% from 2022, with the following components:
- 2,368,900 injuries, up marginally from 2022 (2,343,600)
- 200,100 total illnesses, down 72.6 % from 2022 (460,000 reported) – of which crucially 100,200 respiratory illnesses, down 72.6 % from 2022 (365,000 reported)
The total illnesses represent the lowest number since 2019 – i.e., before the COVID-19 pandemic.
What workplace fatalities are reported for 2023?
BLS reports 5,283 fatal work injuries recorded in the United States in 2023, which is a 3.7% decrease from 5,486 reported in 2022. BLS data provide a distribution of these deaths, including:
- 1,454 in trade, transportation and utilities
- 1,075 in construction (39.2% falls, slips, and trips; 22.3% transportation)
- 561 in natural resources (including farming and fishing) and mining
- 555 in professional and business services
- 391 in manufacturing
- 265 in leisure and hospitality
- 178 in educational and health services
- 209 in “other”
BLS also looked at causes, including 740 violent acts and 306 drug-related.
What’s next?
Occupational injuries, illnesses and deaths all trended down in 2023. These reductions are good news, but the totals should be large enough to remind organizations to continue occupational safety and health protective measures for their workers. BLS will report 2024 data in November 2025.
Self-Assessment Checklist
Has the organization defined “establishments” where work is performed?
Does the organization have one or more establishments subject to I&I recording and posting requirements?
Does the organization have one or more establishments required to make electronic reports of I&I data?
Does the organization assess I&I data from each of its establishments, to evaluate whether changes in workplace practices or configuration might reduce future incidents?
Did the organization record any workplace fatalities in 2023?
Where can I go for more information?
- BLS
- “Injuries, Illnesses, and Fatalities” webpage
- “Employer-Reported Workplace Injuries and Illnesses, 2023”
- Economic News Release, “Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries Summary, 2023” (12/19/24)
- OSHA
- “OSHA Injury and Illness Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements” webpage
- “Workplace Injury, Illness and Fatality Statistics” webpage
About the Author
Jon Elliott is President of Touchstone Environmental and has been a major contributor to STP’s product range for over 30 years.
Mr. Elliott has a diverse educational background. In addition to his Juris Doctor (University of California, Boalt Hall School of Law, 1981), he holds a Master of Public Policy (Goldman School of Public Policy [GSPP], UC Berkeley, 1980), and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (Princeton University, 1977).
Mr. Elliott is active in professional and community organizations. In addition, he is a past chairman of the Board of Directors of the GSPP Alumni Association, and past member of the Executive Committee of the State Bar of California's Environmental Law Section (including past chair of its Legislative Committee).
You may contact Mr. Elliott directly at: tei@ix.netcom.com