November 11, 2022

Texas workplace illness and injury report, nationwide nonfatal injury data and more news

The Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC)

DWC releases 2021 illness and injury data (PDF 727KB)

DWC has released its annual work-related injuries and illnesses publication. The document highlights industry information for the 178,900 nonfatal incidents that occurred in Texas private industry businesses during 2021. By releasing the data, the agency hopes employers will identify and correct safety and health issues in their workplaces.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)

BLS releases nationwide nonfatal injury data for 2021

Private industry employees experienced 2.6 million nonfatal injuries and illnesses in 2021. While the nonfatal injuries increased from the previous year, nonfatal illnesses decreased significantly. BLS is expected to release a second annual report on fatal injuries in December.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Comments on process safety management due November 14

OSHA is accepting comments on potential changes to its Process Safety Management Standard until November 14. The current standard was published in 1992 and has not been updated since. OSHA and other federal agencies were called on to modernize policies and improve safety after a 2013 ammonium nitrate explosion in Texas.

Tips to reduce OSHA recordable events

An EHS Today article discusses the differences between recordable, reportable and non-recordable incidents when it comes to OSHA standards. The article also offers three tips for reducing recordable events including the use of telemedicine, first-aid education and preventative methods.