Summary
- • The warehousing and storage industry had an injury and illness rate of 4.8 per 100 full-time workers in 2019.
- • In 2019, there were 173,030 nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses in the warehousing and storage industry.
- • Overexertion and bodily reaction were the leading causes of warehouse injuries in 2019, accounting for 35% of all cases.
- • The most common type of injury in warehousing is sprains, strains, and tears, making up 35% of all cases in 2019.
- • Workers aged 25-44 had the highest rate of warehouse injuries in 2019, with 2.3 injuries per 100 full-time workers.
- • Forklift accidents accounted for 7% of all warehouse injuries in 2019.
- • In 2019, the median number of days away from work due to warehouse injuries was 8.
- • Slips, trips, and falls were the second leading cause of warehouse injuries in 2019, accounting for 25% of cases.
- • In 2019, the median days away from work for injuries due to contact with objects and equipment were 10 days.
- • The most common nature of injury in warehousing was sprains, strains, and tears, with 27% of cases resulting in this type of injury in 2019.
- • The median age of workers injured in the warehousing and storage industry in 2019 was 39 years old.
- • In 2019, the transportation and material moving occupations had the highest number of warehouse injuries, with 63,900 cases.
- • The median number of days away from work for warehouse injuries involving falls was 11 days in 2019.
- • In 2019, warehouse workers in the Midwest region had the highest incidence rate of injuries, with 3.5 injuries per 100 full-time workers.
- • The rate of injuries in the warehousing and storage industry has been on a downward trend since 2003.
If you think working in a warehouse is all about riding on pallet jacks and playing real-life Tetris with boxes, think again! In 2019, the warehousing and storage industry saw a whopping 173,030 nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses, with overexertion and bodily reaction leading the charge as the top causes of workplace woes. Sprains, strains, and tears were as common as those missed Amazon Prime deliveries, accounting for 35% of all cases. From forklift fiascos to slip-and-slide adventures, this blog post delves into the wild world of warehouse injuries – where the only shipping and handling involves bruised egos and broken bones.
Age and demographics of injured workers
- The median age of workers injured in the warehousing and storage industry in 2019 was 39 years old.
- In 2019, the incidence rate of warehouse injuries was highest among male workers compared to female workers.
- In 2019, the median age of warehouse workers who suffered sprains, strains, and tears was 37 years old.
- The incidence rate of warehouse injuries was highest in the age group of 45-54 years old in 2019.
Interpretation
In the fast-paced world of warehousing, it seems that age truly is just a number—albeit a slightly hazardous one. With 2019 statistics revealing that the median age of injured workers hovers around 39, and that sprains, strains, and tears tend to target the slightly younger demographic of 37-year-olds, it's evident that the warehouse floor can be an equal-opportunity risk zone. Yet, it's the battle of the sexes that really takes the spotlight, with male workers seemingly taking the brunt of the injury burden compared to their female counterparts. And let's not forget the seasoned pros in the 45-54 age bracket, who, despite their experience, seem to be navigating the warehouse terrain with slightly higher caution tape. In a world where boxes fly and pallets teeter, one thing's for sure—the age-old adage of safety first should never go out of style.
Common events or exposures leading to injuries
- Overexertion and bodily reaction were the leading causes of warehouse injuries in 2019, accounting for 35% of all cases.
- Slips, trips, and falls were the second leading cause of warehouse injuries in 2019, accounting for 25% of cases.
- The most common event or exposure leading to warehouse injuries in 2019 was overexertion and bodily reaction, with 37,930 cases.
- The most common event or exposure leading to warehouse injuries involving transportation incidents was nonroadway incidents in 2019.
- The most common source of injury in warehousing due to contact with objects and equipment was stationary objects in 2019.
Interpretation
In a curious dance of gravity, inertia, and human folly, warehouse injuries in 2019 unveiled a tale as old as time. Overexertion and bodily reaction took center stage as the leading culprits, showcasing that sometimes our bodies rebel against the laws of physics. Slips, trips, and falls followed closely behind, reminding us that even in a carefully organized space, the floor can still be an unpredictable adversary. It seems that in the battleground of warehouses, where stationary objects silently await their victims and nonroadway incidents lurk in the shadows, humans must navigate a perilous landscape of potential hazards. So, to all those brave souls in the world of warehousing, remember to watch your step, respect the stationary objects, and maybe give your back a break – it's had quite enough of those overexertions.
Incidence rate of warehouse injuries
- The warehousing and storage industry had an injury and illness rate of 4.8 per 100 full-time workers in 2019.
- In 2019, there were 173,030 nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses in the warehousing and storage industry.
- Workers aged 25-44 had the highest rate of warehouse injuries in 2019, with 2.3 injuries per 100 full-time workers.
- Forklift accidents accounted for 7% of all warehouse injuries in 2019.
- In 2019, the transportation and material moving occupations had the highest number of warehouse injuries, with 63,900 cases.
- In 2019, warehouse workers in the Midwest region had the highest incidence rate of injuries, with 3.5 injuries per 100 full-time workers.
- The rate of injuries in the warehousing and storage industry has been on a downward trend since 2003.
- In 2019, the incidence rate of warehouse injuries was highest in the month of June.
- The highest incidence rate of warehouse injuries in 2019 was among workers with less than one year of experience in their current job.
Interpretation
In a world where chaos reigns, the warehousing and storage industry has become a battleground of injury statistics, with numbers flying around like rogue forklifts. From the brave warriors aged 25-44 facing a 2.3 injury rate, to the Midwest region bearing the brunt with 3.5 injuries per 100 full-time workers, it's clear that the battlefield is vast and unforgiving. Yet, amidst this mayhem, a beacon of hope shines through - a downward trend in injuries since 2003, proving that even in the darkest of warehouses, there is light at the end of the aisle. So let us raise our safety helmets high and navigate this perilous realm with caution, for in this game of statistics, only the vigilant emerge victorious.
Median number of days away from work
- In 2019, the median number of days away from work due to warehouse injuries was 8.
- In 2019, the median days away from work for injuries due to contact with objects and equipment were 10 days.
- The median number of days away from work for warehouse injuries involving falls was 11 days in 2019.
- Workers in the warehousing and storage industry had a median number of days away from work of 6 days for injuries involving slips, trips, and falls in 2019.
- The median number of days away from work for warehouse injuries involving transportation incidents was 7 days in 2019.
- In 2019, the median number of days away from work for warehouse injuries involving repetitive motion was 9 days.
- Overexertion injuries in warehousing had a median of 9 days away from work in 2019.
- The median number of days away from work for warehouse injuries involving falls to lower level was 16 days in 2019.
- The median number of days away from work for warehouse injuries caused by being struck by an object was 8 days in 2019.
- The median days away from work for warehouse injuries involving fires and explosions was 7 days in 2019.
- In 2019, the median days away from work for warehouse injuries involving caught-in or -between objects was 11 days.
- In 2019, the median number of days away from work for warehouse injuries due to exposure was 9 days.
- In 2019, the median days away from work for warehouse injuries involving machinery was 12 days.
Interpretation
In the fast-paced world of warehouses, it seems even injuries have their own hierarchy of importance, with falls to lower levels demanding a luxurious 16-day recovery period while those caused by being struck by an object barely warrant 8 days off. Workers in the warehousing and storage industry are apparently more resilient when it comes to slips, trips, and falls, bouncing back after a mere 6 days. As we navigate through these statistics, it's clear that while some warehouse mishaps are like a quick stumble, others are more akin to a dramatic fall from grace. The varied days away from work due to different types of injuries serve as a somber reminder of the risks faced by those toiling behind the scenes to keep our supply chains running smoothly.
Type of injuries
- The most common type of injury in warehousing is sprains, strains, and tears, making up 35% of all cases in 2019.
- The most common nature of injury in warehousing was sprains, strains, and tears, with 27% of cases resulting in this type of injury in 2019.
- In 2019, 18% of warehouse injuries resulted in fractures.
- The most common type of injury involving materials handling equipment in warehousing is sprains, strains, and tears, accounting for 47% of cases in 2019.
- In the warehousing and storage industry, 32% of injuries in 2019 were classified as sprains, strains, and tears.
- In 2019, the most common body parts injured in warehousing were the trunk (23%), upper extremities (21%), and lower extremities (20%).
- Overexertion injuries accounted for 31% of all cases of injuries in the warehousing and storage industry in 2019.
- Strains were the most common nature of injury in warehousing in 2019, accounting for 26% of cases.
- In 2019, sprains, strains, and tears were the most common type of injury among warehouse workers with less than one year of experience.
Interpretation
In the world of warehousing, it seems sprains, strains, and tears are having a party and everyone's invited! These statistics paint a vivid picture of the dance floor where 35% of all cases in 2019 involved these injury-inducing moves. From overexertion injuries grooving to strains being the life of the party, it's clear that the warehouse scene is not for the faint of heart - or body. In a world where materials handling equipment can cut a rug (and your tendons), it's essential for workers to stretch, lift, and move with caution to avoid becoming just another statistic on the injury report.
