Rate of Nonfatal Work Injuries, Illnesses in California at Lowest Level in a Decade

The Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) recently posted California’s 2016 occupational injury and illness summary data on employer-reported injuries.

According to estimates provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), California’s overall incidence rate of nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses remains at the lowest rate in more than a decade—3.7 cases per 100 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees. The 2016 rate was 3.8 cases per 100 equivalent full-time employees.

Estimates showed approximately 466,600 nonfatal reportable job-related injuries and illnesses in 2016, with 78% occurring in private industry and 22% in state and local government sectors.

Nationwide there were approximately 2.9 million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses reported by private industry employers in 2016, which occurred at a rate of 2.9 cases per 100 FTE workers.

Private industry employers reported nearly 48,500 fewer nonfatal injury and illness cases in 2016 compared to a year earlier, according to estimates from the BLS.

Fatal occupational injury data has yet to be released.

For more information on Injury and Illness Prevention Programs in California, CalChamber members can visit the HR Library’s Injury and Illness Prevention Program page. Not a member? Learn more about how CalChamber can help you.

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