Liberty Mutual study: Cost of workplace injuries

The Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety has released the 2007 Workplace Safety Index, which identifies the leading causes of the most disabling U.S. workplace injuries (based on 2005 data). The Index provides direct cost information for the injuries. (The “most disabling work-related injuries and illnesses” consist of those causing an employee to lose six or more workdays.)

Top 10 Causes of the Most Disabling Workplace Injuries in 2005 ($ Billions)
Source: Liberty Mutual

1. Overexertion — $12.7
2. Fall on same level — $6.6
3. Fall to lower level — $5.0
4. Bodily reaction (injuries from slipping/tripping without falling) — $4.8
5. Struck by object — $4.4
6. Highway incidents — $2.3
7. Repetitive motion — $2.1
8. Struck against object — $2.0
9. Caught in/compressed by — $1.9
10. Assaults/violent acts — $0.4

Note: The above does not reflect the category “all other” which accounts for 12.5 percent of the total costs ($6 billion).

To view the 2007 Index in its entirety, visit: www.libertymutual.com/omapps/ContentServer?