As we kick off National Safety Month, employers across all industries face critical challenges that demand immediate attention. Worker injuries and illnesses are down nationally—from 10.9 incidents per 100 workers in 1972 to 2.4 per 100 in 2023—but significant risks remain, particularly in high-hazard industries. Here are five critical safety priorities that every employer should address this June to protect their workforce and maintain compliance.
Transportation incidents remain the number one cause of workplace fatalities across industries nationwide. With approximately 140,000 workers dying each year from workplace-related causes—including 5,283 from traumatic injuries in 2023—transportation safety represents a critical risk for any employer whose workers drive as part of their job duties.
The risks extend beyond obvious transportation jobs to include employees traveling between job sites, making deliveries, or commuting in company vehicles. Many transportation-related fatalities could be prevented through proper safety protocols and training.
Action Steps:
How OCC Helps: Our virtual triage platform provides immediate access to licensed providers for transportation-related injuries, ensuring rapid assessment and appropriate care coordination when accidents occur.
Download Our Transportation Safety Program Checklist
The oil and gas industry faces sobering statistics nationwide. The fatality rate for oil and gas workers is seven times higher than other industries, according to the CDC. From 2014 to 2019, 470 U.S. oil and gas extraction workers died due to job-related injuries, with transportation events accounting for approximately one half of all fatalities.
The industry's unique challenges include exposure to hazardous chemicals, remote work locations, complex equipment operations, and the high percentage of contract workers who often face greater safety risks due to less consistent training and safety protocols.
Action Steps:
How OCC Helps: Our 24/7 virtual care platform ensures immediate access to occupational medicine specialists who understand oil and gas industry hazards, while our comprehensive case management ensures proper OSHA compliance for industry-specific injuries.
Fall Protection, general requirements (29 CFR 1926.501) remains the top most frequently cited standard by Federal OSHA in fiscal year 2024. Falls continue to be a leading cause of workplace injuries and fatalities across construction, manufacturing, and industrial sectors nationwide.
Action Steps:
How OCC Helps: When fall-related injuries occur, our virtual triage system can immediately assess the severity and direct appropriate care, while our case management ensures proper documentation for OSHA compliance.
Heat-related illnesses pose year-round risks that intensify during summer months, particularly affecting outdoor workers in construction, agriculture, manufacturing, and oil and gas sectors. Climate change has made extreme heat events more frequent and intense across much of the United States, increasing the urgency of heat illness prevention programs.
Action Steps:
How OCC Helps: Our virtual platform provides immediate assessment of heat-related symptoms, enabling rapid intervention before conditions become life-threatening. Our providers specialize in occupational medicine and understand heat stress management protocols.
Download our Heat Illness Prevention Program Checklist
There were 5,283 fatal work injuries recorded in the United States in 2023, emphasizing the critical importance of proper injury management and regulatory compliance. Employers across all industries must ensure they have systems in place for immediate response, proper documentation, and ongoing case management.
Action Steps:
How OCC Helps: Our comprehensive occupational health platform addresses all aspects of injury management:
This National Safety Month, employers have an opportunity to significantly reduce workplace injuries and create safer work environments. The statistics show that while national trends are improving, high-risk industries and evolving workplace challenges require targeted attention and proactive management.
At OCC Premier Occupational Health & Compliance Solutions, we understand the complex safety challenges facing modern employers. Our comprehensive virtual care platform, combined with our managed care approach, ensures that when injuries do occur, your employees receive immediate, appropriate care while maintaining full OSHA compliance.
Don't wait for an incident to test your safety systems. Contact OCC today to learn how our innovative occupational health solutions can strengthen your safety program and protect your most valuable asset—your employees.
Download our Workplace Safety Assessment Checklist
Ready to enhance your workplace safety program? Contact OCC at 225-644-6702 or visit our office at 37534 Hwy 30, Suite A, Gonzales, LA 70737.
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