Survey: Workplace Injuries, Illnesses Reach 13-Year Low in California

In 2014, California recorded the lowest number of workplace injuries and illnesses in 13 years, according to a new survey, Business Insurance reports.

The Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses was conducted by the:

• California Department of Industrial Relations; and
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Findings

According to the survey, 460,700 workplace injuries and illnesses were reported in 2014, down from:

• 694,100 such cases in 2002; and
• 468,400 in 2013 (Gonzalez, Business Insurance, 11/24).

In 2014, 265,000 cases involved lost work-time, job transfer or restriction-from-duty cases. Of those more than 140,000 involved days away from work.

According to the survey, Latinos accounted for 59% of occupational injuries that involved days away from work (Insurance Journal, 11/20). By age group, teenagers between 16 and 19 years old experienced the highest rate of days away from work.

Meanwhile, the survey found that sprains, strains and tears accounted for 35.8% of all injuries involving days away from work, the highest among all categories of injuries (Business Insurance, 11/24).

DIR Director Christine Baker said, "As a whole, the lower work-related injury and illness rates reflect California's commitment to on-the-job health and safety," adding, "However, employers in industry sectors that have a disproportionate share of work-related injuries must focus on prevention to further protect the health and safety of employees" (Insurance Journal, 11/20).