Off the job accidents

Contrary to popular belief, today's workers are safer on the job than they are at home or in their communities. According to the National Safety Council, recent gains in lowering workplace death rates – they are down 17 percent since 1992 – have been outpaced by the rate of fatalities occurring off the job, up 14 percent in the same period.

"The business costs of off-the-job accidents is staggering when you take into account lost wages and productivity, medical and disability payments and training for new employees," said NSC President/CEO Alan McMillan.

According to 2004 NSC statistics, twice as many workers – 6.8 million – were seriously injured off the job than while they were working. And of the 49,000 injury-related worker deaths in 2004, roughly 90 percent occurred while employees were off the job.

In 2004, the cost of employee injuries – both on and off the job – was more than $330 billion. Nearly 60 percent – or $200 billion – was for injuries to employees off the job. In addition, off-the-job injuries accounted for 165 million lost workdays, compared with 80 million as a result of workplace injuries.

In response to these troubling statistics, businesses have begun implementing off-the-job safety training. A recent NRC survey of 1,300 companies indicates that 58 percent report reductions in injuries occurring outside of work.