Private U.S. employers reported 2.6 million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses in 2023, marking an 8.4% decrease from 2022, according to the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

The agency attributes the decline to a significant 56.6% drop in illnesses, which fell to 200,100 cases in 2023—the lowest total since 2019. The overall incidence rate of recordable injuries and illnesses in private industry for full-time workers was 2.4 cases per 100 full-time equivalent (FTE) workers, down from 2.7 in 2022. This represents the lowest rate since 2003.

Injuries accounted for 2.2 cases per 100 FTE workers in 2023, a slight decrease from 2.3 in the previous year. Meanwhile, the incidence of illnesses dropped to 19.0 cases per 10,000 FTE workers in 2023, down from 45.2 in 2022. Respiratory illnesses saw a sharp 73% decline, falling to 9.5 cases per 10,000 FTE workers from 35.8 in 2022.

Sector Breakdown

In 2023, total recordable injury and illness cases (TRC) fell in several key sectors. Healthcare and social assistance saw a reduction to 562,500 cases, down from 665,300 in 2022. The TRC incidence rate in this sector decreased to 3.6 cases per 100 FTE workers, from 4.5 in 2022.

Manufacturing and retail trade also experienced declines in both total cases and incidence rates. Manufacturing reported 355,800 cases in 2023, a decrease from 396,800 in 2022, while retail trade cases dropped by 68,800, reaching 353,900. The TRC incidence rates in these sectors were 2.8 and 3.1 cases per 100 FTE workers, respectively, both lower than in 2022.

Transportation and warehousing, as well as wholesale trade, also saw decreases in both cases and incidence rates. No private industry sectors reported increases in total cases or incidence rates in 2023.

Injuries by Sector

While the overall injury rate in private industry fell in 2023, the total number of injury cases remained roughly the same as in 2022, with 2,368,900 reported. Notably, injury cases in healthcare and social assistance rose by 27,800, reaching 471,600 in 2023. Other sectors, including accommodation and food services, arts, entertainment and recreation, and utilities, also saw upticks in injuries.

In contrast, two sectors saw reductions in injuries. Manufacturing reported a decrease of 21,400 injury cases, dropping to 326,400 in 2023. Wholesale trade injuries fell by 11,900, totaling 127,000 cases.

The food and beverage store sector experienced a 6.5% increase in injuries, rising to 78,200 cases in 2023, compared to 73,500 in 2022. However, illnesses in this industry plummeted by 78.7%, falling to 7,900 cases from 37,100 in 2022. Additionally, the injury rate in general freight trucking decreased to 2.9 cases per 100 FTE workers, down from 3.2 in 2022.