When you work in Wisconsin, one thing that you should be aware of is the risk of injury in your occupation and how the employers in your state take steps to protect their employees. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics does collect data on workplace injuries and illnesses that happen so that they can be explored by the public.
Wisconsin’s private industry employers detailed injuries and illnesses at a rate of around 3.6 cases per 100 workers (full time) in 2018. Overall, the private industry reported 70,400 nonfatal illnesses and injuries that year.
This may not seem like many cases, but it’s important to compare these statistics to the national average. The national rate is only 2.8 out of 100, showing that it is slightly more dangerous to work in Wisconsin’s private industry compared to the national average on the whole.
Two sectors accounted for most injuries and illnesses
According to the BLS, manufacturing and trade, transportation and utilities accounted for 56% of all of the illnesses and injuries that occurred in 2018. That’s despite only employing 41% of the employees in the private sector.
If there is any good news to be had, it’s that Wisconsin’s injury and illness rate is not increasing. It has stayed the same between 2017 and 2018.
It’s also essential to note how many of these injuries or illnesses were of a severe form. Of the private industry injury and illness cases, 36,800 were reportedly severe. Severe means that workers had to stay home from work, work with restrictions or transfer to a new job.
This information is important for you, so you know how to protect yourself. If you are hurt on the job, remember that workers’ compensation should be there for you.
