OSHA recently released data from the 2024 Injury Tracking Application (ITA) highlighting the importance of accurate documentation of workplace injuries and illnesses. Federal recordkeeping rules require employers to submit injury and illness data to OSHA.

The data in this report comes from 370,000 reports, but OSHA has also posted partial data from more than 732,000 additional reports. Allowing access to this data helps identify unsafe conditions and workplace hazards, with the hope of preventing future injuries.

The expanded electronic reporting in the 2024 ITA enables more case-level detail in high-hazard industries, delivering a clearer view of where incidents occur and enhancing OSHA’s ability to enforce compliance.

Those industries reporting the highest volume of recordable cases include healthcare and social assistance, transportation/warehousing, manufacturing and retail trade.

Construction is a top hazard sector, but had fewer recordables, although disproportionately high rates of severe outcomes, including falls and struck-by/caught-in events. However, while falls and struck-by/caught-in events are the leading injuries in the construction sector, reported numbers remain flat from 2023 to 2024 for fall protection incidents, ladders, scaffolding and struck-by hazards.

OSHA expanded its electronic reporting rule to require some businesses in designated high-hazard industries with 100 or more employees to submit Forms 300 and 301, as well as Form 300A summaries that detail what happened, to whom and how severe. This provides hazard-specific data that can direct inspections, outreach and recordkeeping enforcement.

This data indicates a perpetuation of sector ranking, with the same four sectors dominating in recordable cases over the years. Sector-specific patterns include type of illness/injury and number of days away or job transfer/restriction. In short, the same sectors continue to experience the largest volume of injuries and illnesses—at the same severities—as in 2023.

In its efforts to enhance recordkeeping compliance, OSHA is identifying nonsubmitters by using ITA data. This will direct inspection in high-hazard sectors. Particular focus will target healthcare, transportation/warehousing, manufacturing and retail. Construction employers should expect enforcement to concentrate on fall protection and related training, scaffolding, ladders and struck-by/caught-in hazards. Other areas of attention include hazard communication, respiratory protection, lockout/tagout, powered industrial trucks, scaffolding, machine guarding, ladders and eye/face protection. Field-level verification of controls and supervision quality will be examined.

Accurate recordkeeping in essential. Employers should confirm that reports include accurate NAICS coding, accurate headcount thresholds, and timely, complete ITA data, including privacy-compliant Form 300/301 case details, where required.