30 Shocking Workplace Injury Statistics [2026]: Slips, Trips, And Falls In The Workplace

Research Summary. In the evolving landscape of workplace safety, numerous initiatives and regulations have been put in place across various industries in the United States. Despite these advancements, workplace injuries and illnesses, both nonfatal and fatal, continue to be a serious concern. Our data analysis team has compiled the following insights:

• Annually, approximately 2.6 million nonfatal workplace accidents and injuries occur in the private sector across the United States.

• The most prevalent workplace injuries in the US are sprains, strains, and tears, with 266,530 reported in 2020.

• Overexertion, slips, trips, falls, and contact with objects and equipment account for 84% of all nonfatal workplace injuries.

• Nursing assistants face the highest risk of injury, with 370 injuries per 10,000 full-time workers.

• In 2021, there were 5,190 fatal occupational injuries in the United States.

• The agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting industry reports the highest fatality rate, with 23.4 fatalities per 100,000 employees.

• Workplace injuries and illnesses impose an estimated cost of $250 billion annually on the U.S. economy.

For further insights, we have categorized our findings as follows:
Industry | Top Causes | Trends | Demographic

General Workplace Injury Statistics

• On average, 2.8 out of 100 workers in the U.S. are injured in workplace accidents each year.

  With 2.6 million nonfatal accidents in the private sector, this equates to roughly 2.8 injuries per 100 workers, a statistic consistent since prior years.

• OSHA’s budget for 2026 is projected to be $591,787,000.

  This reflects a continued commitment to workplace safety, with an increase from previous budgets.

• There are approximately 1,850 OSHA inspectors responsible for the safety of 130 million American workers.

  Despite limited federal offices, state partners manage over 8 million worksites. This translates to around one inspector for every 70,000 U.S. workers.

Workplace Injury by Industry Statistics

• 15% of workplace injuries in America occur in manufacturing.

  Manufacturing remains the industry with the highest injury rate, recording 3.3 cases of reportable non-fatal injuries per 100 employees, totaling 421,400 incidents.

• Construction has one of the highest on-the-job fatality rates in the U.S.

  In 2019, construction sites accounted for 20% of employee fatalities, with 1,061 deaths reported.

• Line cooks faced significant health risks during the pandemic.

  Throughout the pandemic, line cooks were among the most affected workers, with heightened risks of illness and mortality.

• 79,660 injuries were reported at construction sites in 2019.

  This included a variety of injuries, with significant numbers attributed to sprains, fractures, and cuts.

• Men experience workplace injury rates 7% higher than their female counterparts.

  In the private sector, 60% of injuries were sustained by men, as reported by BLS data.

Top Causes of Workplace Injuries

• Faulty fall protection and respiratory protection remain top OSHA violations.

  Common violations in 2021 included inadequate fall protection measures and respiratory safety standards.

• 84% of nonfatal injuries leading to time away from work stem from overexertion and bodily reaction, slips, trips, falls, and contact with objects.

  Excessive physical activity and accidents involving slips and trips dominate the injury landscape.

• In 2019, approximately 27.4% of nonfatal workplace injuries were due to slips, trips, and falls.

  These incidents resulted in significant numbers of sprains, fractures, and cuts.

• Overexertion and falls lead to the longest time away from work.

  Workers typically miss around 13 days due to these injuries compared to 5 days for other injury causes.

Workplace Injury Trends

• Workplace fatalities have decreased significantly.

  Since 1970, workplace deaths have dropped by more than 60%, highlighting improvements in safety protocols.

• Injury and illness rates have also seen a dramatic decline.

  From 1972 to 2019, the rate of workplace injuries fell by approximately 74%.

Workplace Injury Demographic Statistics

• Men are injured on the job 17.3% more often than women.

  In 2019, 91.7 out of 10,000 full-time male workers were injured compared to 80.4 female workers.

• Workers aged 65 and older tend to miss double the time from work due to injuries.

  They average 16 days away from work compared to the national average of 8 days.

• 21.3% of workers who missed time due to injury were between 25 and 34 years old.

  This age group represented a significant portion of workplace injuries.

• California and Texas recorded the highest workplace fatalities.

  In 2019, 488 deaths were reported in Texas and 422 in California.

• Arkansas, Delaware, and Georgia are among the states with the lowest workplace injury rates.

  These states maintain rates below the national average.

• On average, injured workers miss eight days of work.

  However, certain industries report much higher averages.

• Less than half of injured workers miss work due to their injuries.

  Only 888,220 out of 2.8 million injured workers missed at least one day of work in 2019.

Workplace Injury FAQ

1. What is workers’ comp?

   Workers’ compensation, or workers’ comp, is a type of social insurance available to employees who are injured or become ill while at work. Workers’ comp provides mandated medical coverage and wage benefits to employees sustaining on-the-job injuries or illnesses.

   This insurance also offers protection to businesses from civil lawsuits.

2. What does OSHA mean?

   OSHA stands for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. It sets and enforces safety standards aimed at fostering healthy and safe workplaces across the nation.

3. What is the number 1 cause of death in the workplace?

   The leading cause of death in the workplace is falling, accounting for 36.5% of all fatalities. This includes falls from heights and falling objects.

4. What is the most frequently cited OSHA standards violation?

   Fall Protection is the most frequently cited standards violation across all industries. OSHA publishes this list to aid employers in taking preventive measures.

5. What is the most common workplace injury?

   The most common workplace injuries are slips and falls. They account for a significant percentage of all nonfatal injuries resulting in time away from work.

Conclusion

Despite significant advancements in workplace safety regulations and practices, which have reduced workplace injuries by over 60% since 1970, incidents still occur in various industries. With 2.6 million nonfatal injuries and 5,190 fatalities reported annually, the cost of these incidents to the U.S. economy remains substantial, estimated at $250 billion.

Industries such as agriculture, construction, and transportation continue to be among the most hazardous, underscoring the need for ongoing safety improvements.

References

1. United States Department Of Labor. “OSHA Data Statistics: Commonly Used Statistics.” Accessed on 8/14/2021.

2. U.S. Bureau Of Labor Statistics. “News Release: Employer Reported Workplace Injuries And Illnesses — 2021.” Accessed on 8/15/2021.

3. National Safety Council. “Top Work-Related Injury Causes.” Accessed on 8/16/2021.

4. U.S. Bureau Of Labor Statistics. “Number Of Nonfatal Occupational Injuries And Illnesses Involving Days Away From Work By Event Of Exposure Leading To Injury Or Illness And Selected Natures Of Injury Or Illness, Private Industry, 2019.” Accessed on 8/16/2021.

5. U.S. Bureau Of Labor Statistics. “Number Of Nonfatal Occupational Injuries And Illnesses Involving Days Away From Work By Industry And Selected Natures Of Injury Or Illness, Private Industry, 2019.” Accessed on 8/16/2021.

6. Work Injury Source. “Workplace Injury Statistics — 2021 UPDATE: Data For Workplace Accidents, Injuries, And Deaths.” Accessed on 8/16/2021.

7. CNBC. “Line Cooks Have The Highest Risk Of Dying During Pandemic, Plus Other Riskiest Jobs: Study.” Accessed on 8/16/2021.

8. U.S. Bureau Of Labor Statistics. “Injuries, Illnesses, and Fatalities.” Accessed on 4/3/2023.

9. United States Department Of Labor. “The 10 Most Frequently Cited Standards.” Accessed on 4/3/2023.

10. MercyCare. “Common Workplace Injuries & How To Prevent Them.” Accessed on 4/3/2023.

11. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries Summary, 2021.” Accessed in 4/3/2023.

Author

Elsie Boskamp

Elsie is an experienced writer, reporter, and content creator. As a leader in her field, Elsie is best known for her work as a Reporter for The Southampton Press, but she can also be credited with contributions to Long Island Pulse Magazine and Hamptons Online. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism from Stony Brook University and currently resides in Franklin, Tennessee.