Nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses declined in both the private and public sector in New Jersey from 2017 to 2023, according to a report released Tuesday by the state Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL).
Survey data collected by NJDOL’s Office of Research and Information shows there were approximately 87,300 nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses in both the public and private sectors in 2023, with an incidence rate of 2.6 cases per 100 full-time equivalent workers. This reflects an improvement from 2017, when 92,200 cases were reported for a rate of 2.9.
In 2023, New Jersey private sector employers reported about 66,800 nonfatal cases, marking a decline from the 71,700 cases recorded in 2017. This improvement is reflected in the incidence rate, which decreased from 2.6 to 2.3 cases per 100 full-time equivalent workers.
New Jersey’s private sector workplace injuries and illness rate in 2023 was slightly under the national rate of 2.4 cases per 100 full-time equivalent workers.
The public sector saw around 20,500 nonfatal injuries and illnesses reported in both 2023 and 2017 in New Jersey. While the incidence rate is higher than in the private sector, as this sector includes hazardous occupations such as police officers and firefighters, it showed a slight improvement, decreasing from 5.2 to 5.0 cases per 100 full-time equivalent workers.
The data was captured in the federal government’s latest Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII). The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has collected data through the SOII since 1972 through a cooperative agreement with the states. As part of this effort, NJDOL surveys public and private employers throughout the state on workplace safety and health.
According to the BLS website, of the 66,800 private industry injury and illness cases reported in 2023 in New Jersey, 43,700 were of a more severe nature, involving days away from work, job transfer, or restriction while recuperating—commonly referred to as DART cases. These cases occurred at a rate of 1.5 cases per 100 full-time workers, on par with the national rate.
