BLS Releases Workplace Injury and Illness Data as Puerto Rico Employers Strengthen EHS Efforts

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recently published its latest report on employer-reported workplace injuries and illnesses. The report covers a two-year period spanning 2023–2024 and provides insight into trends affecting private industry employers nationwide.

According to BLS, private industry employers reported 2.5 million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses in 2024, a 3.1% decrease from 2023. This decline was largely driven by a 26.0% reduction in illness cases, which fell to 148,000. The decrease was primarily attributed to a 46.1% drop in respiratory illness cases, down to 54,000, the lowest number reported for this category since 2019.

The BLS also reported that the incidence rate of total recordable cases (TRC) in private industry declined to 2.3 cases per 100 full-time equivalent (FTE) workers in 2024, down from 2.4 cases in 2023. This represents the lowest TRC rate recorded since the data series began in 2003. Injuries occurred at a rate of 2.2 cases per 100 FTE workers, while the incidence rate of illnesses fell to 13.9 cases per 10,000 FTE workers, compared to 19.0 cases in 2023. Respiratory illnesses declined to 5.1 cases per 10,000 FTE workers in 2024, down from 9.5 cases the previous year.

“While these numbers are encouraging, this report does not account for the thousands of workers who tragically lose their lives each year due to workplace accidents or exposure to hazardous substances,” said Harry Peña, President of Zimmetry Environmental. “Employers are legally responsible for providing a safe workplace. At Zimmetry, our industrial hygiene and EHS professionals are committed to helping employers in Puerto Rico and throughout the region prevent accidents, injuries, illnesses, and fatalities caused by occupational hazards. Our services help identify and reduce exposure risks, enhance workplace safety, maintain regulatory compliance, and avoid costly penalties.”

To learn more about Zimmetry Environmental and its industrial hygiene, environmental, health, safety, and compliance testing and consulting services, please visit www.zimmetry.com, call (787) 995.0005, or email info@zimmetry.com.

About Zimmetry Environmental
Since 2002, Zimmetry Environmental has been providing environmental consulting services to building owners and managers, architects, engineers, EHS professionals, and Fortune 500 companies. The company is based in Puerto Rico and provides services across the Caribbean and Central America. The professionals at Zimmetry offer environmental compliance, indoor air quality, asbestos, lead-based paint, Phase I ESAs, and general environmental consulting services.

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