The rise of workplace accidents
The safety and health of employees are critical across all industries to maintain a strong workforce, but recent trends show employees are overall less safe while on the job. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported the data in the graph below, demonstrating increased workplace accidents throughout the United States over the last several years.

Why have workplace accidents continued to rise following the pandemic?
According to OSHA’s principles of adult education, adults learn best when information is reinforced and repeated across varying mediums. Many companies utilize outdated PowerPoint training that limits employee engagement and does not contribute to information retention. To limit workplace accidents, companies must insure individuals are equipped to safely operate aging assets across the industrial complex.
Additionally, according to the Federal Reserve Board, the retired share of the US population has increased about 1.5% from its pre-pandemic level. This increase in retirement will lead many companies to lose experienced employees. To compensate, companies must hire a new generation of young employees. However, without proper training, young workers are more likely to make mistakes resulting in dangerous accidents.

So, what can we do to reduce the rate of workplace accidents?
At Wellsite LMS, we often observe our customers’ difficulty in keeping employees engaged with safety training. This lack of engagement, combined with fewer numbers of experienced employees in the workforce, leads to younger employees not entirely learning and understanding safe work practices.
This challenge allows companies the opportunity to enter a new era of digital safety training. In utilizing innovative tools, safety managers can re-establish baseline safety standards, teach and engage young employees, and ensure employees are refreshed and attentive to safety protocols. We are excited to continue advancing the innovation of safety programs to reduce workplace accidents!
Sources: BLS, Statista, FRB, OSHA