Archived: Decrease workplace injury rates that result in missing three or more days from work

Workplace injuries can lead to substantial time lost from work and the development of long-term disabilities. Lost time from work creates costs for the workers' compensation system, the employer, the worker, and society.

This measure shows a lot of variation quarter to quarter, but the overall trend continues to decline. This decline in the injury rate is due to both environmental factors (the shift towards service sector jobs), and state and federal regulations and enforcement which help promote safe workplace practices and technological improvements in safety equipment.

Currently, the Department of Labor & Industries is targeting safety inspections at the most hazardous workplaces. We are also working closely with business and labor stakeholders to come up with ideas to increase workplace safety, such as our Logging Safety Initiative (LSI).

The Logging Safety Initiative is a partnership with logging industry representatives and the Department of Natural Resources to reduce the frequency and severity of workplace injuries and fatalities in manual logging. Once an injury occurs, we have innovative services and programs to help injured workers stay on the job or return to work quickly, such as the Washington Stay at Work program.

Workplace injuries and illnesses can potentially touch the life of anyone living in Washington. Around 80,000 workers will be injured on the job this year alone. Everyone plays a role in helping to ensure that workplaces are safe and that injured workers are supported in returning to work. You can:

Request safety information and training from your employer

Report hazards or unsafe work practices

Always follow safety rules and procedures

Help support coworkers who have been injured on the job and are returning to work

These practices well help keep you and your coworkers safe and save your employer money. For more information, please visit www.lni.wa.gov.