ASSP encouraged by latest U.S. fatality data, but says more work is needed

The American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) says it is encouraged by newly released fatality data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), which reported that 5,283 fatal work injuries occurred in 2023 – a 3.7 per cent decrease from the previous year’s total of 5,486.

The fatal occupational injury rate of 3.5 fatalities per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers in 2023 was down from 3.7 in 2022.

But despite the reported decline in workplace fatalities, a worker still lost their life from a work-related injury every 99 minutes in 2023.

“With many safety innovations readily available to employers everywhere, we must continue to decrease these numbers moving forward,” said ASSP president Pam Walaski, CSP, FASSP. “All workers deserve to return home safe and healthy at the end of the day. Most occupational incidents are preventable given today’s technologies and proven safety and health strategies.”

ASSP urged employers across the United States to be active in adopting voluntary national consensus standards, practicing prevention through design and implementing safety and health management systems, noting these components work together to help prevent serious injuries, illnesses and fatalities on the job.

While the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets workplace safety standards mandated by law, voluntary consensus standards available through ASSP provide the latest expert guidance and fill gaps where federal standards don’t exist or are outdated. Companies rely on them to drive improvement, prevent injuries and support business sustainability.

With government regulations being slow to change in today’s rapidly changing environment, federal compliance is not sufficient to protect worker well-being.

“Consensus standards can transform safety programs from compliance-based cost centers into corporate sustainability initiatives that save lives and positively impact the organization’s bottom line,” Walaski said.

ASSP encourages organizations to anchor their business in safety and health management systems such as ANSI/ASSP Z10.0-2019, a blueprint for any company. Z10 establishes a safe operational foundation by ensuring that critical processes are integrated while demonstrating a corporate commitment to engaging workers and protecting their well-being. Customized elements are based on the organization’s characteristics, such as hazard exposures, risk levels, industry type and business processes.

To elevate workplace safety, ASSP also forms alliances with like-minded organizations in safety, research, sustainability and human capital to expand its reach. The society has many joint agreements in place to improve the well-being of workers across all industries.

“These collaborative efforts not only improve occupational safety and health practices, but they also raise the voice of our profession,” Walaski said. “Organizations working together can build a larger and more engaged safety community that can share trusted guidance and drive positive workplace safety outcomes.”