Today the Indiana Department of Labor released its annual Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses report for 2012. Indiana’s non-fatal occupational injury and illness rate is 4 per 100 workers, the lowest experienced since the survey was introduced in its current form in 1992.

The 2012 rate represents a 1 year decline of more than 7 percent from 2011 and marks the first time the rate has declined since 2009.

“Every Hoosier should be proud that Indiana’s workplaces are some of the safest and healthiest in the nation,” said Gov. Mike Pence. “The continuing decline in the number of occupational injuries and illnesses demonstrates the dedication of employers, employees, trade associations, and professional organizations, and proves again, that Indiana is the place to do business.”

The most significant improvement among the major Hoosier industries was in the state’s mining industry (2.6 per 100 workers). The mining industry experienced a one-year decline of nearly 45 percent in non-fatal worker injuries and illnesses. The coal mining sub-industry experienced a 16 percent decline in non-fatal worker injuries and illnesses from 2011.

“While this historically low number of workplace injuries in Indiana is indeed an accomplishment, we still have work to do and will continue to focus on reducing the number of workplace injuries in Indiana,” said IDOL Commissioner Rick Ruble. “The Department of Labor will continue to actively work with employers through our many safety programs to continue to improve employee safety and health in Indiana.”

Some findings in the 2012 report include:

• The overall state non-fatal injury and illness rate for 2012 is 4.0 per 100 workers, the lowest rate since the SOII report was introduced in its current form in 1992. The 2012 rate represents a one-year decline of seven percent from the 2011 rate.
• The mining industry experienced the greatest one-year decline in non-fatal worker injuries and illnesses, 45 percent.
• Nearly all major Indiana industry categories experienced a reduction in non-fatal worker injuries and illnesses in 2012.
• The IDOL’s emphasis industries of agriculture, healthcare and transportation all experienced a decrease in non-fatal workplace injuries and illnesses—agriculture (-24.2 percent), healthcare (-15.9 percent) and transportation (-2.2 percent).
• The following major industry categories experienced an increase in non-fatal worker injuries and illnesses from 2011 to 2012: state and local government (+11 percent); arts, entertainment and recreation (+6 percent); and manufacturing (+2 percent).

Source: Indiana Department of Labor, Inside INdiana Business