Montana Department of Labor & Industry highlights impact of injuries in the workplace.
There has never been a better time to be a worker in Montana, and with training and education you safely become or do anything you want. Whether it is the construction crew building housing or the nurse providing health care in one of our communities, safety needs to be a priority for our workers and businesses.
More than 25,000 Montana workers were injured during Fiscal Year 2016. Those injuries led to over $260 million paid out in benefits, impacting the bottom line of Montana businesses and families.
For the last 15 years, the Treasure State has ranked near the top for the number of lost time accidents compared to the rest of the nation. Although those numbers are declining, the loss of worker time is costing Montana businesses millions of dollars each year.
“The Montana Department of Labor & Industry accepts the challenge to make sure every member of the workforce goes home safely each night,” says Labor & Industry Commissioner Galen Hollenbaugh.
As part of National Safety Month, the Department will be providing information on tools to help businesses make workforce safety a priority.
The top four industries in Montana with the highest rate of injuries are:
- Healthcare and social assistance – 4,103 injuries;
- Retail and trade – 3,410 injuries;
- Education – 2,656 injuries; and
- Accommodation and food services – 2,067 injuries.
The top three causes of workplaces in Montana are:
- Strains – 8,056 claims;
- Slips, trips and falls – 5,159 claims; and
- Being struck by an object – 3,822 claims.
“We can improve Montana’s workplace safety by training businesses owners and workers across the state,” says Hollenbaugh.
For more information about the workplace safety programs offered by the Montana Department of Labor & Industry visit SafetyFestMT.com