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['Ergonomics', 'Specialized Industries']
['Fatigue', 'Healthcare', 'Carpal Tunnel Syndrome', 'Lifting and Back Safety', 'Specialized Industries', 'Ergonomics', 'Repetitive Motion']
02/12/2026
Copyright 2026 J. J. Keller & Associate, Inc. For re-use options please contact copyright@jjkeller.com or call 800-558-5011.
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InstituteRepetitive MotionErgonomicsFatigueUSAEnglishHealthcareErgonomicsSpecialized IndustriesSafety & HealthGeneral Industry SafetyLifting and Back SafetySpecialized IndustriesCarpal Tunnel SyndromeAnalysisFocus AreaIn Depth (Level 3)
Healthcare worker injuries and illnesses
['Ergonomics', 'Specialized Industries']
- Many healthcare workers face greater risk of injury or illness on the job than manufacturing and construction workers.
- Top injuries and illness from 2023 to 2024 included sprains, strains, and tears; novel coronavirus; bruises and contusions; fractures; and soreness, swelling, and inflammation.
Statistics show that healthcare facilities ARE hazardous places to work! For example, people might typically think of manufacturing and construction as industries that are relatively hazardous. Yet, it turns out the injury and illness incidence rates for hospitals and nursing and residential care facilities are HIGHER than in manufacturing and construction! The bottom line is that healthcare workers face great risk of injury or illness on the job.
| Industry code | Industry name | Incidence rate of nonfatal work injuries/illnesses per 100 workers involving days away from work: | ||||||
| 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | ||
| 621 | Ambulatory healthcare services | 0.5 | 0.5 | 1.2 | 1.1 | 0.9 | 0.6 | 0.5 |
| -- | Private industry | 0.9 | 0.9 | 1.2 | 1.1 | 1.2 | 0.9 | 0.8 |
| 31 to 33 | Manufacturing | 0.9 | 0.9 | 1.1 | 1.2 | 1.1 | 0.9 | 0.8 |
| 23 | Construction | 1.2 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.9 |
| 6221 | General medical/surgical hospitals | 1.3 | 1.3 | 3.7 | 2.2 | 2.3 | 1.5 | 1.3 |
| 623 | Nursing/residential care facilities | 1.8 | 1.7 | 7.9 | 4.0 | 6.1 | 6.8 | 2.4 |
| 6222 | Psychiatric/substance abuse hospitals | 2.8 | 2.5 | 4.1 | 3.3 | 3.6 | 2.4 | 2.6 |
Work injuries and illnesses come at a high cost — workers’ compensation, medical costs, temporary staffing, overtime, turnover, and so on. In fact, overtime is associated with worker fatigue, injury, and stress, which have been tied to a higher risk of medication error and patient infections. On the other hand, a healthy, stable workforce creates an atmosphere conducive to patient confidence and satisfaction.
Healthcare facilities should see huge cost savings if they can find ways to lower the number of worker injuries and illnesses, especially musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), disorders that affect the muscles, nerves, blood vessels, ligaments, and tendons. Examples include low-back injuries, tendinitis, and carpal tunnel syndrome.
Injury and illness data
The latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show that from 2023 to 2024 the top five injuries or illnesses with days away from work for ambulatory healthcare services, hospitals, and nursing and residential care facilities in private industry are:
- Sprains, strains, and tears,
- Novel coronavirus,
- Bruises and contusions,
- Fractures, and
- Soreness, swelling, and inflammation.
Other injuries and illnesses with days away included:
- Cuts, lacerations, and punctures;
- Multiple traumatic injuries;
- Heat (thermal burns);
- Abrasions;
- Chemical burns and corrosion;
- Tendinitis;
- Carpal tunnel syndrome; and
- Amputations.
:
ergonomics
ergonomics
FOUNDATIONAL LEARNING
InstituteLaboratory SafetyFormaldehydeDiseases and illnessesFatiguePosture and MovementIndoor Air QualityPandemic FluErgonomicsRepetitive MotionIn Depth (Level 3)HealthcareMachine GuardingSpecialized IndustriesHeat and Cold ExposureHAZWOPER Emergency ResponseInfectious DiseasesSafety & HealthInfectious DiseasesCOVID-19Toxic and Hazardous Substances - OSHAElectrical SafetyLifting and Back SafetyEthylene OxideCarpal Tunnel SyndromeHazardous Materials Safety - OSHARespiratory ProtectionHeat and Cold ExposureFire Protection and PreventionMachine GuardingToxic and Hazardous Substances - OSHAOxygen
Hazards to healthcare workers
InstituteAerial LiftsRepetitive MotionErgonomicsDiseases and illnessesPandemic FluSafety and Health Programs and TrainingHazard CommunicationSpecialized IndustriesInfectious DiseasesForklifts and Powered TrucksElectrical Safety Construction StandardsInjury and Illness Recordkeeping FormsInfectious DiseasesEmergency Planning (OSHA)COVID-19First Aid and MedicalExit RoutesEmergency ExitsEthylene OxideRespiratory ProtectionFire ExtinguishersFire Protection and PreventionFirst Aid and MedicalCranes, Lifts, and ScaffoldingSafety and Health Programs and TrainingPersonal Protective EquipmentElectrical SafetyLockout/TagoutFall ProtectionForklifts and Powered TrucksWalking Working Surfaces
OSHA requirements apply to healthcare
InstituteDiseases and illnessesPandemic FluIn Depth (Level 3)USAEnglishHealthcareSpecialized IndustriesEmergency Planning - OSHAInfectious DiseasesSafety & HealthWeather and Natural DisastersInjury and Illness RecordkeepingInfectious DiseasesCOVID-19Exit RoutesEmergency Planning (OSHA)Emergency ExitsInjury and Illness Recordkeeping FormsGeneral Industry SafetyOSHA RecordkeepingSpecialized IndustriesFocus AreaAnalysisEmergency AlarmsInjury and Illness Recordkeeping
OSHA requirements relate to accreditation standards
InstituteSafety and Health Programs and TrainingSafety and Health Programs and TrainingUSASanitationEnglishHealthcareEmergency Planning - OSHASpecialized IndustriesSafety & HealthEmergency Planning (OSHA)General Industry SafetySanitationSpecialized IndustriesAnalysisFocus AreaIn Depth (Level 3)
OSHA safety and health program recommendations
InstituteFormaldehydeDiseases and illnessesErgonomicsPandemic FluIn Depth (Level 3)HealthcareSpecialized IndustriesHAZWOPER Emergency ResponseInfectious DiseasesSafety & HealthInfectious DiseasesToxic and Hazardous Substances - OSHALifting and Back SafetyMedical WasteEthylene OxideHazardous Materials Safety - OSHARespiratory ProtectionToxic and Hazardous Substances - OSHAPersonal Protective EquipmentBloodborne Pathogens Prevention and ControlBloodborne PathogensCompressed GasesHAZWOPERRadiationEnglishErgonomicsWorkplace ViolenceWorkplace ViolenceGeneral Industry SafetyWasteHand Protection
OSHA guidance for healthcare
InstituteDiseases and illnessesIndoor Air QualityIndustrial HygieneIn Depth (Level 3)Fire Protection and PreventionHazmatRadiationEnglishHealthcareAir ContaminantsSpecialized IndustriesInfectious DiseasesSafety & HealthVentilationInfectious DiseasesGeneral Industry SafetyFood SafetySpecialized IndustriesHazmat License/Permit/RegistrationFire Protection and PreventionAnalysisFocus AreaToxic and Hazardous Substances - OSHAUSA
Other requirements for healthcare
Healthcare worker injuries and illnesses
InstituteRepetitive MotionErgonomicsFatigueUSAEnglishHealthcareErgonomicsSpecialized IndustriesSafety & HealthGeneral Industry SafetyLifting and Back SafetySpecialized IndustriesCarpal Tunnel SyndromeAnalysisFocus AreaIn Depth (Level 3)
['Ergonomics', 'Specialized Industries']
- Many healthcare workers face greater risk of injury or illness on the job than manufacturing and construction workers.
- Top injuries and illness from 2023 to 2024 included sprains, strains, and tears; novel coronavirus; bruises and contusions; fractures; and soreness, swelling, and inflammation.
Statistics show that healthcare facilities ARE hazardous places to work! For example, people might typically think of manufacturing and construction as industries that are relatively hazardous. Yet, it turns out the injury and illness incidence rates for hospitals and nursing and residential care facilities are HIGHER than in manufacturing and construction! The bottom line is that healthcare workers face great risk of injury or illness on the job.
| Industry code | Industry name | Incidence rate of nonfatal work injuries/illnesses per 100 workers involving days away from work: | ||||||
| 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | ||
| 621 | Ambulatory healthcare services | 0.5 | 0.5 | 1.2 | 1.1 | 0.9 | 0.6 | 0.5 |
| -- | Private industry | 0.9 | 0.9 | 1.2 | 1.1 | 1.2 | 0.9 | 0.8 |
| 31 to 33 | Manufacturing | 0.9 | 0.9 | 1.1 | 1.2 | 1.1 | 0.9 | 0.8 |
| 23 | Construction | 1.2 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.9 |
| 6221 | General medical/surgical hospitals | 1.3 | 1.3 | 3.7 | 2.2 | 2.3 | 1.5 | 1.3 |
| 623 | Nursing/residential care facilities | 1.8 | 1.7 | 7.9 | 4.0 | 6.1 | 6.8 | 2.4 |
| 6222 | Psychiatric/substance abuse hospitals | 2.8 | 2.5 | 4.1 | 3.3 | 3.6 | 2.4 | 2.6 |
Work injuries and illnesses come at a high cost — workers’ compensation, medical costs, temporary staffing, overtime, turnover, and so on. In fact, overtime is associated with worker fatigue, injury, and stress, which have been tied to a higher risk of medication error and patient infections. On the other hand, a healthy, stable workforce creates an atmosphere conducive to patient confidence and satisfaction.
Healthcare facilities should see huge cost savings if they can find ways to lower the number of worker injuries and illnesses, especially musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), disorders that affect the muscles, nerves, blood vessels, ligaments, and tendons. Examples include low-back injuries, tendinitis, and carpal tunnel syndrome.
Injury and illness data
The latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show that from 2023 to 2024 the top five injuries or illnesses with days away from work for ambulatory healthcare services, hospitals, and nursing and residential care facilities in private industry are:
- Sprains, strains, and tears,
- Novel coronavirus,
- Bruises and contusions,
- Fractures, and
- Soreness, swelling, and inflammation.
Other injuries and illnesses with days away included:
- Cuts, lacerations, and punctures;
- Multiple traumatic injuries;
- Heat (thermal burns);
- Abrasions;
- Chemical burns and corrosion;
- Tendinitis;
- Carpal tunnel syndrome; and
- Amputations.
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Copyright 2026 J. J. Keller & Associate, Inc. For re-use options please contact copyright@jjkeller.com or call 800-558-5011.