Across America, workplace accidents amounted to an estimated $14 billion in costs associated with worker’s compensation (source: Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index). Many more millions are thought to be lost to the additional negative side effects of slips, trips, and falls in the workplace. Such losses could include reduced productivity, decreased job satisfaction, employee turnover, and the cost of hiring and training new personnel. Additional costs could also include punitive damages, depending on the severity of the accident and whether or not the employer/property owner is found to have exercised an unconscionable level of negligence.
An Introduction to the Workplace Safety Index
In an effort to advance workplace safety, the Liberty Mutual Institute for Safety publishes the annual Workplace Safety Index highlighting the major causes and costs of workplace accidents. Although slips, trips, and falls amounted to just over $14 billion, total costs incurred by American businesses amounted to approximately $55.4 billion.
That’s over $1 billion spent on worker’s compensation costs every week.
Top 10 Causes of Workplace Accidents
According to the Workplace Safety Index, the top 10 categories of workplace accidents in 2011 were as follows:
1. Overexertion involving outside source
At 25.7%, this category of workplace accident amounted to approximately $14.2 billion.
2. Falls on same level
At 15.4%, this category of workplace accident amounted to approximately $8.6 billion.
3. Struck by object or equipment
At 10.1%, this category of workplace accident amounted to approximately $5.6 billion.
4. Falls to lower level
At 8.9%, this category of workplace accident amounted to approximately $4.9 billion.
5. Other exertions or bodily reactions
At 7.6%, this category of workplace accident amounted to approximately $4.2 billion.
6. Roadway incidents involving motorized land vehicles
At 4.3%, this category of workplace accident amounted to approximately $2.4 billion.
7. Slip or trip without fall
At 3.8%, this category of workplace accident amounted to approximately $2.1 billion.
8. Repetitive motions involving micro-tasks
At 3.5%, this category of workplace accident amounted to approximately $2.0 billion.
9. Struck against object or equipment
At 2.9%, this category of workplace accident amounted to approximately $1.6 billion.
10. Caught in/compressed by equipment or objects
At 2.8%, this category of workplace accident amounted to approximately $1.6 billion.
Can Floor Mats Prevent Accidents?
Referencing the list above, we see 3 categories related to slips, trips, and falls: Categories 2, 4, and 7 (Category 7, slip or trip without fall, is a new classification of workplace injury that has just been added to the Workplace Safety Index). Together, these categories equate to more than $14 billion in worker’s compensation claims paid out in 2011.
Numbers gathered by the Liberty Mutual Institute for Safety indicate that American businesses have much to gain by investing in proactive floor maintenance, new commercial floor mats, resurfacing/ upgrades (when appropriate), and maintenance. Slips and falls are primarily the result of uneven, slippery, or otherwise poorly maintained floor surfaces (source: CNA). If proactive floor upgrades and maintenance prevent just 1 in 10 slip and fall accidents, American businesses can bring the total cost of accidental slip-related injury in the workplace down by an estimated $1.4 billion.
More on the Liberty Mutual Institute for Safety
The Liberty Mutual Institute for Safety is committed to improving the safety and health of people throughout the world. In an effort to realize this goal, the Institute conducts ongoing peer-reviewed research to help employers and employees learn more about the causes of injury in the workplace. The Institute for Safety is owned and operated by Liberty Mutual Insurance, based out of Boston, Massachusetts.
Visit the Liberty Mutual Institute for Safety to download the following safety tools:
- Workplace Safety Index (English and Spanish available)
- Manual Materials Handling Lifting Tables
- Liberty Mutual’s Risk Reduction
Shop Floor Mats & Accident Prevention Products Online
For more than 30 years, Eagle Mat and Floor Products has been a leader in the sale and installation of commercial matting and flooring designed to increase the health and safety of the American workplace. It is our pleasure to serve businesses nationwide, and we are committed to delivering guaranteed low prices on any of the products listed on our website*.
For product consultation and specifications, readers are invited to call Eagle Mat Client Services at 1-877-333-1018.
*Please see Terms and Conditions for details.
