70 Percent of Nonfatal Workplace Assault Injuries Occur to Women, Says National Safety Council Analysis

During Women's History Month, National Safety Council encourages employers to look at injury rates among women in their workplace

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National Safety Council

Mar 12, 2019, 12:30 ET

ITASCA, Ill., March 12, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- National Safety Council analysis indicates that women are disproportionately impacted by certain safety issues – most notably nonfatal workplace violence, with 70 percent of all assault-related injuries involving days away from work occurring to females. The number of women who incurred assault-related injuries at work in 2017 totaled 12,820 – a 60 percent increase since 2011. By contrast, 5,530 men sustained assault-related injuries at work in 2017.

Aside from assault, other work-related injuries and illnesses that disproportionately impact women include accidental injury by another person (59 percent), falls on the same level (57 percent), and ergonomic issues, such as complications from repetitive motion (61 percent).

Women working in certain sectors experience a disproportionate number of various nonfatal injuries and illnesses, too. For example, the percentages of nonfatal injuries and illnesses involving women in the following sectors are:

Healthcare (80 percent)
Education (61 percent)
Management, business and financial (60 percent)

Workplace injury and illness data including assaults are available on Injury Facts, the Council's compilation of preventable death and injury statistics for nearly 100 years.

"Our workplaces should be safe havens for everyone, and these data show us we can do more to protect women in the workplace," said Nick Smith, interim president and CEO of the National Safety Council. "As employers examine the biggest risks facing their workforce, we urge them to consider these trends and make sure safety is extending to all employees."

To observe Women's History Month, the National Safety Council encourages workplaces to review their Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) and ensure they include appropriate support resources. Employers also should examine historical safety trends involving women in the workplace so that safety measures are aptly addressed for those most vulnerable.

In addition to free active shooter training in communities across the country, the National Safety Council offers emergency preparedness training for the workplace, which includes active shooter instruction. While these extreme cases of assault are rare, an employer can help prepare workers for this kind of emergency.

For more information about injury rates and deaths among industries and specific demographics, visit injuryfacts.nsc.org.

About the National Safety Council
The National Safety Council is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to eliminate preventable deaths at work, in homes and communities, and on the road through leadership, research, education and advocacy. Founded in 1913 and chartered by Congress, NSC advances this mission by partnering with businesses, government agencies, elected officials and the public in areas where we can make the most impact.

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SOURCE National Safety Council