Every 96 minutes, a worker dies in the United States. In 2022, nearly 5,500 people lost their lives due to work accidents. This marks a 6% increase from 2021 and a 3% rise from pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
To combat this alarming trend, the National Safety Council launched the Work to Zero initiative in 2019. Funded by the McElhattan Foundation, this program aims to educate employers about technological safety enhancements that can reduce workplace fatalities.
In 2023, Work to Zero revisited its initial 2020 findings, resulting in a new report: "Safety Technology 2024: Examining Trends in Technology Solutions Used to Reduce Serious Injuries and Fatalities in the Workplace."
What did the 2023 survey reveal about work accidents?
The latest survey uncovered several key trends. Both employers and employees reported a higher likelihood of exposure to all workplace hazards, with employees noting the most significant increases. Fatigue remains the top risk and the largest contributor to workplace injuries across industries.
While workplace violence is considered the least likely exposure, concern about these incidents grew significantly from 2020 to 2023. Employers found safety technologies increasingly relevant to their workplace hazards. Additionally, 83% of employees expressed openness to trying new safety technologies. Risk management software, proximity sensors, and drones saw the most notable increases in use.
What obstacles hinder technology adoption?
Despite growing acceptance, several barriers still impede the widespread adoption of safety technologies, including:
- Cost concerns: While less prominent than in 2020, purchase costs and initial investments remain obstacles for many employers.
- Privacy fears: Data collection, privacy issues, and security problems top the list of employer concerns.
- Benefit comprehension: Some employers struggle to understand how new technologies can meet their specific organizational needs.
How can companies mitigate work accidents?
The NSC Work to Zero initiative offers a Safety Innovation Journey to help organizations:
- Assess risks specific to their workplace.
- Identify appropriate technology solutions.
- Prepare their workplaces for implementation.
While progress has been made in technology acceptance and implementation since 2020, more work lies ahead. Researchers need to explore ways to close the gap between considering and using safety technologies. As workplace hazards evolve with changing job demands, regular risk assessments and adaptation of safety measures become increasingly important.
The Work to Zero initiative continues its mission to eliminate workplace fatalities through technology. By promoting innovative safety solutions and addressing implementation barriers, the program hopes to create a future where every worker returns home safely at the end of each day.
Our law firm fights for injured workers
Hurt on the job in California? You may be eligible for financial benefits that cover your medical expenses, lost wages, long-term disability, and rehabilitation. At Robert A. McLaughlin, APC, we understand the challenges you face. From construction accidents to repetitive motion injuries, we handle a wide variety of workers' compensation cases and have the case results to prove it. That includes:
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Let us handle every aspect of your work injury claim, from finding unbiased medical opinions to appealing denied claims. Contact us online or call us today for a free case review and find out how we can help you. With offices in San Diego, Chula Vista, and Temecula (appointment only), we offer legal representation to injured workers throughout Southern California on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay nothing unless we win your case.