Workplace Safety Reference

Workplace safety statistics for New York and the United States.

Current figures on workplace injuries, illnesses and fatal work injuries, collected in one clear reference for employers, writers and community partners.

Last updated October 14, 2026. Latest available annual data: 2024.

What these figures cover

A practical snapshot of the workplace safety picture.

These statistics combine the latest annual releases from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. They distinguish between employer-reported nonfatal cases and the separate national census of fatal work injuries.

Use the figures to understand the scale of workplace risk and the importance of clear, respectful processes around safety, testing and employee support. They do not replace a company’s own policy, regulatory guidance or professional advice.

2.49 million

recordable injuries and illnesses in private industry

U.S. private employers reported 2,488,400 total recordable cases in 2024. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported this as the lowest annual total in this data series going back to 2003.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employer-Reported Workplace Injuries and Illnesses, 2024 data released January 22, 2026.

2.3

recordable cases per 100 full-time workers

The 2024 national private-industry rate was 2.3 total recordable cases per 100 full-time equivalent workers, down from 2.4 in 2023.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employer-Reported Workplace Injuries and Illnesses, 2024 data released January 22, 2026.

1.46 million

cases involved time away, transfer or restricted duty

Of private-industry cases reported nationally in 2024, 1,455,600 involved days away from work, job transfer or restriction.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employer-Reported Workplace Injuries and Illnesses, Table 2 for 2024.

122,400

recordable cases in New York private industry

New York private employers reported 122,400 nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses in 2024, an incidence rate of 1.9 cases per 100 full-time workers.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employer-Reported Workplace Injuries and Illnesses in New York, 2024 data released February 10, 2026.

63,800

New York cases involved days away from work

In 2024, New York private industry reported 63,800 cases involving days away from work. Trade, transportation and utilities had the state’s highest total recordable case rate among the major sectors shown in the release.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employer-Reported Workplace Injuries and Illnesses in New York, 2024 data released February 10, 2026.

5,070

fatal work injuries in the United States

The U.S. recorded 5,070 fatal work injuries in 2024, a rate of 3.3 fatalities per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, 2024 data released February 19, 2026.

1,937

fatalities came from transportation incidents

Transportation incidents were the most frequent fatal event in 2024, accounting for 38.2% of all occupational fatalities in the United States.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, 2024 data released February 19, 2026.

1,032

construction and extraction worker fatalities

Construction and extraction occupations recorded 1,032 fatal work injuries in 2024. Fatal falls, slips and trips in those occupations accounted for 370 deaths.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, 2024 data released February 19, 2026.

A useful planning prompt

Data is a starting point. A clear process is what people experience.

For employers, safety planning often includes the decisions that happen before an incident or appointment: identifying the right workplace program, preparing supervisors and giving employees straightforward instructions. For transportation and field teams, the national fatality data is also a reminder that time-sensitive decisions deserve a prepared path.

USA Occupational Services helps Buffalo and Western New York employers coordinate workplace collections, DOT support and mobile service with that same focus on the people behind the business.

Explore employer support

Methodology and sources

Primary public data, linked at the claim.

Every statistic above links directly to its source. The nonfatal figures come from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses. Fatal injury figures come from the Bureau’s Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries. Both are annual data programs, and their counts, rates and definitions should not be treated as interchangeable.

Cite this page

USA Occupational Services. “Workplace Safety Statistics: New York and U.S. Data.” Updated October 14, 2026. Accessed [date]. https://usaoccupationalservices.com/workplace-safety-statistics.