Minnesota – A recent survey estimates Minnesota’s workplace injury and illness rate to be near an all-time low. According to the annual Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, the state had an estimated 3.9 nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses per 100 full-time-equivalent (FTE) workers in 2010. This is up slightly from the 2009 estimate of 3.8 cases per 100 FTE workers, but substantially below the rate of 5.1 from five years ago (2005). It is also the second-lowest since the survey began in 1972.
The survey estimated the number of Minnesota’s nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses to be 76,700 for 2010, down from 78,100 for 2009 and 104,100 for 2005.
“We are encouraged by these results,” said Ken Peterson, Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry commissioner. “They are a positive sign that more worksites continue to make employee safety and health an integral part of their day-to-day operations.”
For the survey, the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry collects injury and illness records from randomly sampled Minnesota employers in the private and public sectors (excluding federal agencies). Approximately 4,700 employers participated in the 2010 survey. State agencies and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) compile the nationwide survey data, which is the primary source of workplace injury and illness statistics at the state and national levels.
Nationally, an estimated 3.9 million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses were reported in private- and public-sector workplaces for 2010, resulting in a rate of 3.8 cases per 100 FTE workers.
Other results from the Minnesota survey:
- The 2010 Minnesota survey estimated 37,200 injuries and illnesses resulting in days away from work, job transfer or restrictions after the day of injury. The rate of these cases was 1.9 per 100 FTE workers, slightly up from the 2009 estimated rate of 1.8 but down from the 2005 rate of 2.4.
- An estimated 1.1 cases per 100 FTE workers in 2010 led to one or more days away from work after the day of injury. This is slightly above the 2009 estimated rate of 1.0 but down from the 2005 estimate of 1.3.
- The industry divisions with the highest total injury and illness rates were: transportation and warehousing (5.8 cases per 100 FTE workers); health care and social assistance (5.6); and construction (5.3).
Minnesota data tables are available on the DLI website at www.dli.mn.gov/RS/StatWSH.asp.
National data tables are available on the BLS website at www.bls.gov/iif/oshsum.htm.