OSHA Releases 2023 Data on Workplace Injuries, IllnessesOSHA Releases 2023 Data on Workplace Injuries, Illnesses

The report includes insightful information from more than 91,000 workplaces and covers approximately 890,000 incidents.

Trent Cotney, Partner and Construction Team Co-leader

January 15, 2025

3 Min Read
Four pieces of puzzle with letters OSHA are connected together on black background
Ekaterina Minaeva/Alamy Stock Photo

In December 2024, the U.S. Department of Labor announced the release of detailed data collected by OSHA regarding workplace injuries and illnesses in 2023. This comprehensive dataset includes information from more than 91,000 workplaces and covers approximately 890,000 incidents—offering valuable insights into the conditions and circumstances surrounding workplace hazards.

What the Data Shows

According to the Work-Related Injury and Illness Summary, OSHA collected details from Forms 300 and 301 of injury and illness cases for specific large establishments in high-hazard industries. The resulting report offers a summary of 2023 injury and illness data that OSHA received through the Injury Tracking Application (ITA) by May 31, 2024.

The newly released data includes key details such as:

  • Employer name and location of incidents.

  • Descriptions of injuries or illnesses.

  • Workers’ activities prior to the incident.

  • Events and causes leading to injuries or illnesses.

  • Types of harm experienced and objects or substances involved.

To protect workers’ privacy, OSHA used advanced artificial intelligence and human review processes to redact sensitive information, such as names, Social Security numbers, phone numbers, birthdates and addresses.

The summary states that approximately 59% of establishments submitting Form 300A data recorded incidents in 2023, totaling 1,538,299 injuries and illnesses. Of those, roughly 90% were injuries. About 37% of cases involved days away from work (DAFW), and 28% involved days of job transfer or restriction (DJTR). In total, the reporting entities experienced over 18.5 million DAFW and over 22.4 million DJTR.

Related:What New Federal Reporting Requirements Mean for Construction Businesses

Through May 31, 2024, data from OSHA Forms 300 and 301 were electronically recorded for 883,372 work-related injury and illness incidents. Of those, 94% occurred at private-sector establishments, and 61% involved establishments with at least 250 employees. The sectors with the highest number of submissions were healthcare (28%), transportation/warehousing (21%), retail trade (19%), and manufacturing (17%). The construction industry accounted for just 1% of the submissions.

Why the Reporting Matters

As part of federal electronic recordkeeping requirements, certain employers must use OSHA’s ITA to report incidents. The DOL asserts that this data release furthers OSHA’s mission to ensure hazard-free working conditions by enhancing transparency and promoting informed decision-making in workplace safety.

Doug Parker, assistant secretary for Occupational Safety and Health, explains, “This data publication is a significant step in increasing transparency about workplace safety. It provides an invaluable resource for understanding workplace injuries and illnesses—whether examining national trends or focusing on a specific site.”

Related:EEOC Urges Harassment Prevention in Construction

To assist employers, OSHA developed an informational video explaining the ITA and the insights it provides. For more on OSHA’s ITA and recordkeeping requirements, visit OSHA’s official website.

Final Thoughts

Every employer feels the pressure to comply with OSHA standards for recording and reporting injuries and illnesses. This OSHA data is intended to empower contractors and other employers, workers, customers, and stakeholders to make more informed decisions regarding workplace safety. It should aid in identifying patterns, trends, and potential hazards to improve safety measures across various industries.

If you have questions about reporting requirements, do not hesitate to consult legal counsel. An experienced OSHA attorney can explain your obligations and help ensure your compliance.

About the Author

Trent Cotney

Partner and Construction Team Co-leader, Adams and Reese LLP

Trent Cotney serves as an advocate for the roofing industry and general counsel of the National Roofing Contractors Association and several other industry associations. For more information, contact the author at [email protected] or at 813.227.5501.

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