Employee Injury Trends in Manufacturing [Infographic]
According to Travelers Claim data, the average number of days employees missed due to a workplace injury in the manufacturing industry was 64. Those who had been in their role for less than one year before being injured made up 28% of all manufacturing claims. Experienced workers, who in many cases use more sophisticated machinery, were injured less frequently but had costlier claims. During the five-year period that was analyzed, those with 25+ years of experience and those with 10-14 years represented the smallest percentage of claims (7% and 9%, respectively). However, injuries in each of these segments of workers cost approximately 15% more than the average cost of all other manufacturing claims.
INJURY IMPACT REPORT
Employee Injury Trends in MANUFACTURING
The average cost of an injury in manufacturing has increased by approximately 17% over the past five years.
Top five most frequent causes of injury:
34% Overexertion
16% Slips, trips and falls
10% Struck by an object
8% Repetitive motion
7% Caught-in or -between hazards
The top five most frequent causes of injury made up 80% of all incurred costs. Of those, slips, trips and falls were the most severe.
Top five most common resulting injuries:
37% Strains and sprains
12% Fractures
9% Inflammation
7% Dislocations
6% Contusions
28% of all manufacturing injuries came from first-year employees.
All data included is Travelers indemnity claim data, in accident years 2015-19. Zero-dollar claims excluded. Valued Dec. 31, 2020. Losses are unlimited and undeveloped. Unless otherwise noted, data points highlighted in this infographic represent claims across all employees in the manufacturing industry.
The Travelers Indemnity Company and its property casualty affiliates. One Tower Square, Hartford, CT 06183
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Employees play a critical role in a manufacturer's supply chain. A single worker who is out for one day or more because of an injury may have a significant operational and financial impact on a company. This is especially true for those who have specialized skills and cannot be easily replaced.
With increased pressure on the supply chain and a tight labor market that has become more challenging during the pandemic, it's critical for manufacturers to prioritize safety. This can include taking steps to control existing and evolving work environments and introducing safety measures that help protect workers from injury. In addition, proper onboarding and training, along with ongoing workforce engagement, can help manufacturers create a culture of safety aimed at preventing injuries.
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