Workers’ compensation claims filed by new employees rose 6% over 10 years (from 32% in 2011 to 38% in 2021), according to a study from Selective Insurance. In “Workplace Industry Trends,” the company highlights safety risks facing employees at the start of a job, notably that they reported a workplace-related injury 18% earlier in their tenure compared with 10 years prior.

Because an injured worker is off the job for an average of 98 days, comprehensive training and onboarding is critical. In fact, per the Travelers “2022 Injury Impact Report,” which analyzed more than 1.5 million workers’ compensation claims over a five-year period, 48% of all construction claims occurred within the first year of employment, representing 52% of total costs.

The most common causes of injuries were overexertion (27% of claims); slips, trips and falls (22%); struck by an object (14%); cuts and punctures (6%); caught in or between hazards (6%); and motor vehicle accidents (6%). The most common injuries were strains and sprains (38%).

To access the report from Selective Insurance, visit tinyurl.com/2p93jrwd. To access the study by Travelers, visit travelers.com/injuryimpactreport.