ABOUT INJURY FACTS

American patriot Patrick Henry said he knew of no way to judge the future but by the past. As we look to the future of safety, we need to evaluate the present situation and look to the past for answers. The actions we take based on this knowledge will determine our future.

Trends are not prophecies, only indicators of the direction of our collective behavior. Since 1921, Injury Facts® has been reporting the facts on preventable injuries and deaths in the workplace, on our roads and in our homes. We follow the data, and it tells us where we’ve been and where we’re headed.

 

WHAT ARE PREVENTABLE INJURIES AND DEATHS?

The terms “preventable” and “unintentional” are used throughout Injury Facts, and understanding their meaning is integral to understanding the data presented on this site.

Preventable deaths and injuries do not include natural causes, like illnesses, or intentional events, like homicides or suicides. The National Safety Council uses the term “preventable” instead of “accident” to remind us that these deaths are not unavoidable and can be eliminated. If you would like to join NSC on this journey, learn how you can get involved.

 

THE DATA CAN HELP YOU CHANGE THE FUTURE

Injury Facts is designed as a tool for everyone – the safety professional, writer or journalist, public speaker, government worker, educator, business owner, parent. The data on this site provides reliable information to help you communicate the trends of the past, and the ones we see right now, to anticipate the future and change it for the better.

In 2018, Injury Facts became an online-only resource, allowing you to explore the data as you choose – from a basic overview to detailed interactive charts and tables. Injury Facts will be updated and grow as data is released and evaluated, making new information available much more rapidly than was possible with an annual book. We will be adding new pages and sections, not originally part of the printed publication, as well.

We are constantly working to improve Injury Facts. Your comments, questions and suggestions are welcome. Please fill out this form and we will do our best to answer your questions and implement suggestions.

 

ABOUT NSC

The National Safety Council is America’s leading nonprofit safety advocate – and has been for over 100 years. As a mission-based organization, we focus on eliminating the leading causes of preventable death so people can live their fullest lives. We focus our efforts where we can make the greatest impact: workplace, roadway and impairment. Read more here.