How employers can prevent costly workplace injuries

Identifying risks of physical and psychosocial hazards in the workplace is a responsibility faced by businesses. With state-based laws enforced by local regulators, employers have a legal obligation to provide a safe working environment for their staff. Such an environment has reputational benefits, reduces rates of injury, and improves staff retention.

Unsafe practices, on the other hand, can come with significant financial penalties for employers. In 2021, the national median compensation for a serious workplace injury was $55,270 per serious claim¹ and seven weeks' lost time per employee. Severe cases in some jurisdictions could see unsafe workplaces pay a maximum penalty of $3 million or, in the case of industrial manslaughter, penalties of over $10 million or 25 years imprisonment.