New BLS Report Shows Workplace Injuries Hit 20-Year Low, but Leading Hazards Persist

The Bureau of Labor Statistics released its 2024 nonfatal workplace injury and illness data, showing that both the number and rate of nonfatal cases declined for the second straight year. In fact, the overall injury and illness rate reached the lowest level in more than two decades.

This means more workers are returning home safely to their families — real progress for workplaces and communities. But there is still significant work to be done. 

Key Findings

• Employers reported 2.5 million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses in 2024, down 3.1% from 2023
• The overall injury and illness rate fell to 2.3 cases per 100 workers, the lowest level since 2003
• Much of the decline was driven by a 26% drop in respiratory illnesses, largely COVID-related
• Injury cases declined for the first time since 2020
• Despite the progress, the same injury types continue to cause the most serious harm

What’s Driving the Decline — and What Isn’t

Fewer illness cases, especially respiratory illnesses, account for much of the improvement. That’s welcome news and reflects changes in pandemic conditions and protections.

But injuries tell a different story. Overexertion remains the leading cause of serious nonfatal injuries, with nearly 1 million cases involving days away from work, job restriction or transfer (DART) in 2023-2024. Contact incidents and falls, slips and trips continue to sideline hundreds of thousands of workers. In health care and social assistance, exposure risks remain part of daily work.

These hazards persist year after year because they are tied to how workplaces and jobs are designed, tasks are paced, equipment is used and people are supported.

What the Data Really Means

Overexertion leads DART cases because many jobs still require repetitive motion, heavy lifting, awkward postures and sustained physical strain. These injuries often build over time and can be slow to heal.

The median days away from work show the real impact. A typical serious injury means more than a full week (eight days) away from the job. For employers, that means disruptions and added costs. For workers, it can mean lost income, pain and uncertainty.

And while fewer illnesses helped lower overall cases, that doesn’t mean all workplaces are safer. Injury risks don’t disappear when respiratory cases decline; exposure risks remain high in many sectors, including health care.

Turning Data into Prevention

The BLS data shows where harm happens most often and most severely. The next step is using that information to prevent incidents before they occur — a long-standing focus of the National Safety Council. 

Musculoskeletal disorders, often caused by overexertion, are the most common workplace injury. Through the MSD Solutions Lab, NSC brings employers, researchers and safety professionals together to identify practical, evidence-based solutions to reduce physical strain.

The Work to Zero initiative focuses on preventing serious injuries like falls and contact incidents by addressing the systems and conditions that allow them to occur. By using data, technology and proven safety practices, it helps organizations reduce risks before someone gets hurt.

The NSC Workplace Wellbeing Hub offers tools to address factors like fatigue, stress and overall health. Supporting wellbeing helps create safer, more sustainable workplaces.

Progress Worth Acknowledging. Work That Can’t Wait.

The 2024 data show improvement is possible. Rates are down, illnesses are declining and injury trends are moving in the right direction.  

But the leading causes of serious harm remain the same. Every number represents a person — and prevention is how we make sure fewer of those stories end in pain, lost time or lives permanently changed.

To learn more about resources, training and research on preventing workplace injuries and illnesses, visit nsc.org.