The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has recently released comprehensive data on workplace injuries and illnesses for calendar year 2023. This data, encompassing over 890,000 incidents at more than 91,000 workplaces, provides unprecedented insight into workplace safety trends and specific incident details. This release marks a significant step towards greater transparency in workplace safety and empowers employers, workers, and researchers to make informed decisions.
Background
For many years, OSHA has required certain employers to electronically record and report workplace injuries and illnesses through its Injury Tracking Application (ITA). This data collection is crucial for OSHA’s mission to ensure safe and healthy working conditions. By making this detailed information public, OSHA aims to foster a greater understanding of workplace hazards and promote proactive safety measures. To safeguard worker privacy, OSHA employed artificial intelligence and human review to redact personally identifiable information like names, Social Security numbers, and addresses.
Key Highlights of the Released Data
The data covers a large sample of workplaces, providing a comprehensive overview of injury and illness trends across various industries and includes specific details about each incident, such as:
- Employer name and incident location
- Descriptions of injuries or illnesses
- Worker activities preceding the incident
- Events that caused the harm
- Types of injuries or illnesses
- Objects or substances involved
What This Means for Employers
The release of this data offers several key benefits for employers:
- Benchmarking and Comparison. Employers can compare their own injury and illness rates and incident types to industry averages and similar establishments. This allows them to identify areas where they may be lagging in safety performance and target improvement efforts.
- Hazard Identification and Prevention. Detailed incident descriptions can help employers identify specific hazards present in their workplaces and implement targeted preventive measures. By understanding the circumstances leading to injuries and illnesses, employers can proactively address root causes and prevent future incidents.
- Data-Driven Decision Making. The data empowers employers to make data-driven decisions regarding safety training, hazard control measures, and resource allocation. By focusing on areas with the highest risk, employers can maximize the effectiveness of their safety programs.
- Improved Safety Culture. Increased transparency can contribute to a stronger safety culture within organizations. When workers see that their employers are actively using data to improve safety, it fosters trust and encourages greater participation in safety initiatives.
Reminders on Electronic Reporting
OSHA’s Injury and illness data submission began on January 2, 2025. Employers should visit OSHA’s website to determine if they are subject to any of OSHA’s reporting requirements and ensure that if applicable, electronic submissions of any applicable forms (Forms 300, 301, and/or 300A) are submitted by March 2 each year. Employers may use OSHA’s ITA Coverage Application tool to determine if they are subject to OSHA’s recordkeeping requirements.
Next Steps for Employers
By actively engaging with this newly released data, employers can take proactive steps to create safer and healthier work environments for their employees, ultimately reducing the risk of injuries and illnesses. As such, employers are encouraged to visit the OSHA website and explore the released data. Familiarize yourself with the available information and how it can be used to analyze workplace safety trends, including comparing the company’s injury and illness data to national and industry data identifying areas where your performance is below average, and prioritizing improvement efforts.
If required, electronically submit injury and illness data to OSHA by the March 2 deadline.
Employers should also take advantage of OSHA’s various resources, including training materials, publications, and consultation services, to improve their workplace safety and health programs.
