Minnesota workplace injury, illness rate shows slight increase in 2022

Minnesota's estimated workplace injury and illness rate for 2022 increased slightly from that of 2021. According to the annual Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, Minnesota had an estimated 3.8 OSHA-recordable nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses per 100 full-time-equivalent (FTE) workers in 2022. The estimated rate for 2021 was 3.4 cases per 100 FTE workers.

The survey estimated Minnesota had 85,400 workers with OSHA-recordable nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses in 2022, compared to 73,800 estimated cases for 2021. There were 19,100 illnesses in 2022 and, of these, 16,400 were respiratory conditions, including COVID-19 cases. In 2021, there were 13,500 illnesses.

In 2022, Minnesota's employment covered by the survey was approximately 2.79 million workers. In 2021, employment covered by the survey was 2.69 million workers.

"These survey results show the continued need for employers to stay focused each day on workplace safety and health, and dedicate the time and resources needed to reduce accidents and illnesses," said Nicole Blissenbach, Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) commissioner.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates a national total of 3.3 million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses in private and public sector workplaces for 2022, resulting in a rate of 3.0 cases per 100 FTE workers.

Other results from the Minnesota survey

The industries with the highest total injury and illness rate were:  state government hospitals (31.4 cases per 100 FTE workers); private industry performing arts, spectator sports and related industries (22.0); and state government nursing and residential care facilities (15.9).

An estimated 37,400 injured workers had one or more days away from work after the day of injury, resulting in 1.7 cases per 100 FTE workers. In 2021, the rate was 1.5 cases per 100 FTE workers.

Combined case and demographic data for 2021 and 2022 has been released. Additional statistics are available about the characteristics of the cases with days away from work and days of job transfer or restriction. Some highlights are shown below.

• For workers with one or more days away from work, the median duration was eight days. The median for 2020 was six days.

• All other injuries and illnesses accounted for 48% of cases (86% of which were COVID-19) for workers with days away from work. Sprains, strains and tears accounted for 20%, followed by soreness and pain (13%).

• The most commonly injured body parts were body systems (the category affected by COVID-19) with 40%, followed by upper extremities (19%), lower extremities (14%) and the trunk (14%).

• The most common injury events were:  exposure to harmful substances or environments (41%); overexertion and bodily reactions (21%); and falls, trips and slips (17%).

• The most common sources of injury and illness were:  viruses, including COVID-19 (39%); floors, walkways and ground surfaces (11%); and the injured or ill worker (10%).

State agencies and BLS compile the survey data. This is the primary source of workplace injury and illness statistics at the state and national levels. DLI collects injury and illness records from randomly sampled Minnesota establishments in the private and public sectors (excluding federal agencies). Approximately 4,300 establishments provided usable responses for the 2022 survey.

DLI appreciates the thousands of employers that fulfilled their mandate to make the survey a success and enabled the publication of injury and illness rates.

Additional Minnesota data will be available on DLI's Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses webpage. National data tables are available on the BLS website at bls.gov/iif/oshsum.htm and bls.gov/iif/oshcdnew.htm.

Media contact:  James Honerman – 651-284-5313 or james.honerman@state.mn.us