Austin, TX – The Texas incidence rate of nonfatal injuries and illnesses in private industry was 2.7 cases per 100 equivalent full-time workers in 2012, below the national rate of 3.4. The incidence rate for Texas remained unchanged for the third consecutive year.
The 2012 nonfatal injury and illness data in this release are the latest available from the annual Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII) conducted by the Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation (TDI-DWC) in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The occupational injury and illness rates are based on a statistical sample of private and public firms in Texas.
The TDI-DWC collects survey data in order to assist employers, safety professionals, and policymakers in identifying safety and health issues in the state. Employers with questions about participating in this survey may call the BLS at 866-237-6405.
Private Sector Key Findings
Private industry workplaces in Texas reported a total of 203,165 nonfatal injuries and illnesses during 2012. Overall, the incidence rate for goods producing industries decreased from 2.9 in 2011 to 2.7 in 2012. The rates in the mining, construction, and agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting sectors decreased from 1.8 to 1.6 (11 percent) and from 2.8 to 2.3 (18 percent), and from 4.1 to 3.9 (5 percent), respectively. The rate in manufacturing increased slightly from 3.2 to 3.3.
The service providing industries’ incidence rate remained the same at 2.7 for 2012. Within this group, notable rate decreases were seen in the utilities (44 percent), educational services (24 percent), and transportation and warehousing (13 percent) industries. The retail trade and information sectors reported increases of 14 percent and 13 percent in 2012.
Of the ten industries that had the highest average annual employment in Texas in 2012, the injury and illness incidence rates for hospitals, general merchandise stores, and food and beverage stores were above the statewide rate of 2.7.
For complete data tables, click here: TDI-DWC: Texas Workplace Injury, Illness Rate Again Below U.S. Rate
Source: TDI-DWC