Slip & Fall Injuries & Statistics

According to the National Safety Council and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, falls are the number two cause of fatalities in the workplace, and they are the leading cause of occupational injury for workers over 55 years old. They make up almost 20 percent of all job-related injuries and result in an average of 11 days away from work. In 2012, fatal falls, slips, or trips resulted in 668 worker deaths.

In addition, falls are the leading cause of hospital emergency room visits, totaling around 8 million a year. Nearly 65,000 of these emergency room visits are associated with ladder accidents. An estimated 20-30 percent of people who slip or fall will experience moderate to severe injuries, including bruises, fractures, or head injuries. Fractures are the most serious consequence of falls, occurring in 5 percent of fall incidents.

Falls occur in virtually all manufacturing and service industries. Same-level falls are most common; they account for 65 percent of all fall-related injuries. However, elevated falls, such as those from ladders and stairs, are usually more serious and result in more fatalities. Over 60 percent of all elevated falls are from a height of 10 feet or less.

To learn more about Ladder & Stairway Safety visit our Ladder & Stairway Safety Online Training web page.