Workplace Injuries in Canada: High-Risk Industries Report - Injury Performance

Data source: AWCBC National Work Injury Statistics - 】 Figure: Lost-time injury claims by industry in Canada (2023). The health care and social assistance sector far exceeds other industries in number of injuries, with manufacturing, construction, retail trade, and transportation/warehousing also among the top contributor​thesafetymag.com】.

Introduction

In Canada, hundreds of thousands of workers suffer workplace injuries each year. In 2022 alone, there were about 348,747 accepted lost-time claims (injuries serious enough to require time off work) and 993 workplace fatalities across the country edmontonsocialplanning.ca】. However, these injuries are not evenly distributed – a few industries account for a disproportionate share of incidents. According to national data from the Association of Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada (AWCBC), the health care and social assistance sector experiences the highest number of workplace injuries, followed by sectors like manufacturing, construction, retail trade, and *transportation and warehousing ​thesafetymag.com】. This report examines each of these high-injury industries in detail, including the typical employer size, common injury types, injury severity, recent statistical trends, and recommended prevention measures grounded in Canadian Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) regulations and best practices.

Despite overall improvements in workplace safety over past decades, recent years have seen mixed trends. For example, injury rates have generally declined in many sectors thanks to better safety programs, but health care has seen a surge in reported injuries since 2022​capitalcurrent.ca】. Meanwhile, fatality rates in sectors like construction have seen *“little progress… over the last two decades”​thesafetymag.com】, remaining unacceptably high. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) also face particular challenges – workers at smaller firms are statistically more likely to be injured or killed on the job ​ecampusontario.pressbooks.pub】 due to limited safety resources and oversight. In the following sections, we delve into each top-risk industry, highlighting the nature and scale of the problem and offering targeted recommendations for prevention and mitigation.

Health Care and Social Assistance Injury Performance

Industry Overview: The health care and social assistance sector – which includes hospitals, long-term care facilities, nursing homes, clinics, and social services – consistently reports the highest number of workplace injuries in Canada​thesafetymag.com】. This sector is a major employer nationwide, with many large employers (public hospitals and health authorities) as well as medium-sized facilities (nursing homes, group homes, etc.). In 2022, health care and social assistance accounted for the largest share of lost-time injury claims (over 127,000 claims, about 36% of all cases​edmontonsocialplanning.ca】 – by far the most of any industry. These injuries occur among nurses, personal support workers, orderlies, and other health care staff who often perform physically demanding and high-stress jobs. Despite employing only roughly 5% of Ontario’s workforce, for example, health care workers filed over 25% of all WSIB injury claims in that province by 2022 ​capitalcurrent.ca】, highlighting the disproportionate risk in this field.

Common Injury Types and Severity: Most injuries in health care are musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) such as sprains and strains. Handling and mobilizing patients is a routine part of health care work that frequently leads to overexertion injuries – particularly back and shoulder strains from lifting or repositioning patient​thesafetymag.com】. In fact, studies show musculoskeletal injuries consistently make up the majority of time-loss claims in health care setting​pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov】. These injuries can be severe, often requiring days or weeks of recovery (lost work time) and sometimes resulting in chronic pain or long-term disability. Another major hazard in health care is workplace violence. Nurses and care aides face aggression from patients or clients, leading to contusions, fractures, or psychological trauma. For instance, health care workers experience some of the highest rates of workplace violence – nurses in emergency departments have been assaulted, such as a case where a nurse’s nose was broken by a patient ​vocm.com】. Such incidents are often underreported, meaning the true extent of violence-related injuries is likely even higher ​thesafetymag.com】. Other injuries in this sector include needlestick and sharps injuries and exposure to infectious diseases. (During the COVID-19 pandemic, many health care workers contracted the virus occupationally, and these cases were accepted as workplace illness claims, contributing to a spike in injury statistics ​capitalcurrent.ca】.) Fatalities in health care remain relatively rare compared to other industries – while there have been tragic cases (including COVID-19-related deaths among health workers and occasional fatalities from violence or vehicle accidents involving paramedics), the sector’s injuries are overwhelmingly non-fatal lost-time injuries.

Recent Trends: After years of gradual improvement, the health care sector has seen a sharp increase in reported injuries in recent years. Historically, injury rates in health care had been on a slight decline – for example, the national time-loss injury rate in health care fell from 4.3 to 3.7 injuries per 100 workers in the late 1990​pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov】, thanks in part to improved equipment and safety initiatives. However, from 2020 onward, there has been a surge. Between 2020 and 2022, accepted compensation claims by health care workers jumped by more than 60% in Ontario ​capitalcurrent.ca】 – the largest increase of any occupation – largely due to the strains of the COVID-19 pandemic. Pandemic-related factors (viral illness claims, burnout, overwork) and a rise in violent incidents have pushed injury numbers to new highs. Nationally, AWCBC data confirm health care and social assistance had the most lost-time injuries of any industry each year, and its lead widened during the pandemic ​edmontonsocialplanning.ca】. This alarming trend has put a spotlight on safety in health care. While some of the recent spike may subside as pandemic effects ease, the sector continues to deal with high injury rates, especially as an aging population and health worker shortages increase workloads.

Prevention and Mitigation: Given the high risks, significant efforts are needed to make health care work safer. Key prevention strategies include:

• Safe Patient Handling: OHS regulators and experts emphasize minimizing manual lifting of patients. Mechanical patient-lift devices and transfer aids should be used whenever possible to avoid nurses and aides physically lifting heavy patient​ccohs.ca】. In fact, some jurisdictions require health care employers to implement safe patient handling programs – for example, Alberta’s OHS Code mandates that employers develop and implement a safe patient handling program if workers must lift or transfer patients ​search-ohs-laws.alberta.ca】. Hospitals and care homes should ensure an adequate number of lifting machines, transfer slings, and other assistive devices are available, and staff should be trained in proper body mechanics and lift techniques. By eliminating unsafe manual lifts, the frequent back and shoulder injuries in this sector can be reduced.

  
  

• Workplace Violence Prevention: All jurisdictions in Canada now have specific legislation requiring employers to prevent and address workplace violence ​ccohs.ca】. Health care facilities must have violence prevention policies, risk assessments, and procedures in place. This includes staff training on de-escalation techniques, adequate staffing levels (to avoid lone workers in high-risk situations), and security measures such as panic alarms or controlled access areas in emergency departments. Best practices involve creating a culture where aggression is not considered “part of the job” and every incident is reported. For example, Ontario requires hospitals and other health care employers to assess the risk of violence and implement control measures (like personal alarms, security personnel, etc.) as part of their health and safety obligations ​ccohs.ca】. Regular drills and training can help staff respond to violent incidents, and prompt reporting/investigation of assaults ensures that prevention strategies are continuously improved.

  
  

• Ergonomics and Work Organization: Beyond patient handling, health care organizations should address other ergonomic stressors – e.g. providing height-adjustable beds and equipment to avoid awkward postures, using wheeled carts for transporting supplies, and redesigning workflows to reduce repetitive strain. Monitoring workloads and staffing levels is also crucial, as excessive workload contributes to injuries and burnout ​ccohs.ca​ccohs.ca】. Ensuring sufficient nurse-to-patient ratios and allowing adequate rest breaks can mitigate some injury risks. Job rotations for tasks that are highly repetitive or physically demanding can help spread the strain as well.

  
  

• Infection Control and Sharps Safety: Although needlestick injuries and infections are less often “lost-time” injuries, they are significant hazards in health care. Employers should enforce sharp-safe procedures (e.g. needle disposal systems, safety-engineered needles) to prevent puncture wounds. Robust infection control protocols (PPE, hygiene, vaccination programs) protect staff from illnesses that could lead to time off work or long-term illness. These measures also align with occupational health requirements and Public Health Agency guidelines.

  
  

• Safety Management Systems: A comprehensive health care safety program is needed to manage the diverse risks. Leadership commitment from the top is vital. As one safety leader noted, elements like hazard identification, root cause analysis of incidents, and clear roles and responsibilities form the backbone of a strong safety culture ​thesafetymag.com】. Provinces such as Saskatchewan have been working to implement a standardized safety management system across their health care facilities​thesafetymag.com】. Such systems involve regular safety audits, joint health and safety committees actively engaging workers, and continuous improvement of policies. Ensuring compliance with all applicable regulations (for example, requirements for lifting equipment inspections, or violence prevention training under provincial OHS laws) is the minimum; going beyond compliance through proactive risk management is the goal.

By investing in these prevention measures – from mechanical lifts to violence prevention – the health care and social assistance sector can strive to reverse the upward injury trend and protect the wellbeing of its vital workforce.

Work Shouldn't Hurt

Manufacturing Injury Performance

Industry Overview: The manufacturing sector comprises a broad range of workplaces – from food processing plants and automotive factories to metal fabrication shops and furniture makers. It remains one of Canada’s largest industrial sectors and historically one of the most injury-prone. Manufacturing consistently has reported the second-highest number of workplace injuries of any industry. In 2017, for example, manufacturing accounted for roughly 13% of all lost-time injury claims nationwide (the second largest share, about 1 in 8 injuries ​thesafetymag.com】. In an average year, tens of thousands of manufacturing workers suffer injuries; recent data show on the order of 30,000 or more lost-time claims per year in this sector. Employer sizes in manufacturing range from large factories (employing hundreds or thousands, such as auto assembly plants or sawmills) to small machine shops and family-owned manufacturers. While large industrial employers contribute a significant absolute number of injuries (due to their workforce size), injury rates can be especially high in smaller manufacturing firms that may lack specialized safety staff. Research has found that workers in small and medium enterprises are more likely to be injured, particularly in sectors like manufacturing where hazardous equipment is use​d campusontario.pressbooks.pub】. Thus, manufacturing injuries affect companies of all sizes – from global corporations to small businesses – and span sub-industries from heavy industrial manufacturing to light product assembly.

Common Injury Types and Severity: Manufacturing environments combine physical labor with machinery and tools, leading to a variety of injury types. Overexertion and musculoskeletal injuries are common – many manufacturing jobs involve lifting materials, carrying products, or performing repetitive tasks on assembly lines. Back injuries, shoulder strains, and repetitive strain injuries (like tendinitis or carpal tunnel syndrome) frequently occur among production line workers and materials handlers. Another major category is contact with machinery or tools. Workers can suffer cuts, lacerations, or amputations from saws, presses, and other cutting or stamping equipment if proper safeguards or lockout procedures are not in place. Being caught in or crushed by machinery is a serious hazard – for instance, a worker’s hand or arm can be caught in moving gears or rollers, causing severe traumatic injuries. Struck-by injuries also occur, such as being hit by a moving forklift, struck by a falling object like a tool or materials, or hit by ejected parts from a machine. Additionally, slips, trips, and falls happen in factories (e.g. slipping on oily floors or tripping over equipment), though falls from height are less common in manufacturing than in construction. Exposure to hazardous substances (chemicals, hot surfaces, flying debris) can cause burns or respiratory issues, though these are typically a smaller portion of injuries compared to the mechanical and exertion injuries.

The severity of manufacturing injuries ranges from minor cuts to life-threatening trauma. Many incidents result in lost-time injuries – for example, a severe cut or a strained back can require days or weeks off work to recover. Manufacturing has a significant number of injuries that are more than minor first aid cases. Importantly, this sector also sees a substantial number of fatalities each year. In 2017, manufacturing had 160 workplace fatalities – the second-highest of any industry, behind only construction ​thesafetymag.com】. These fatalities can result from machinery accidents, explosions or fires, crush injuries, or long-term occupational diseases (like exposures leading to fatal illnesses). The inclusion of occupational disease fatalities (e.g. from asbestos in industrial settings) partly explains the high fatality count. Nonetheless, acute traumatic fatalities – such as a worker killed by a machine or a falling object – are a real risk in manufacturing. Overall, injuries in manufacturing skew toward the moderate-to-severe end of the spectrum: while there are many manageable sprains and cuts, there are also amputations, fractures, and occasional fatal incidents. This underscores the need for stringent safety measures.

Recent Trends: Over the long term, manufacturing has seen declining injury rates as safety practices improve and automation reduces some manual tasks. Since the 1980s, many high-risk tasks have been automated or improved (for example, robots now perform some dangerous welding or paint jobs in auto manufacturing, reducing human exposure). Additionally, regulatory emphasis on machine safeguarding and worker training has helped bring injury rates down. That said, manufacturing still generates a very high volume of claims. In the late 1990s and 2000s, injury frequency in manufacturing dropped in many regions, but progress has been incremental. In recent years, the trend has been relatively stable or gradually improving.

There hasn’t been a large spike in manufacturing injuries like there was in health care. If anything, some subsectors have seen declines as heavy industries (like steel mills or pulp and paper) modernized or shrank in workforce size. However, other subsectors (like food manufacturing or warehouses that might be classified under manufacturing for certain processes) continue to report many injuries. Notably, any improvements in injury rates can be offset by production pressures – when output and speed are prioritized, incident rates can creep up. The COVID-19 period saw mixed effects: some manufacturing facilities slowed or shut down in 2020 (temporarily reducing injuries), but there were also new challenges (social distancing affecting work layouts, etc.). By 2021–2022, manufacturing activity rebounded, and injury numbers returned to pre-pandemic levels. On the positive side, most jurisdictions report that manufacturing injury frequency (per 100 workers) is on a downward trajectory compared to a decade or two ago, thanks to better controls. But because the workforce remains large, the absolute number of injuries in manufacturing stays consistently high – keeping the sector among the top contributors to work injury statistics annually.

Prevention and Mitigation: Manufacturing has long been a focus of OHS regulations, given the inherent hazards of machinery and industrial work. Key measures to prevent injuries in this sector include:

• Machine Safeguarding and Lockout: One of the most critical protections is to guard machinery to prevent contact with moving parts. All Canadian OHS jurisdictions require that machines have appropriate guards (barriers, interlocks, light curtains, etc.) to keep workers’ hands, arms, and bodies out of danger zones ​whsc.on.ca】. For example, a power press or conveyor must have physical guards or electronic safety devices so that a worker cannot reach into the pinch point while the machine is cycling. Employers should conduct risk assessments for each piece of equipment to ensure guards are in place and effective. Lockout/tagout procedures are equally vital – before any maintenance or cleaning of machinery, the equipment must be fully de-energized and locked out so it cannot unexpectedly start. OHS regulations across Canada mandate lockout procedures (e.g., Ontario’s industrial regulations and similar rules in other provinces require that all sources of energy be isolated and locked out before maintenance ​hardhattraining.com】. Adherence to the CSA Z460 “Control of Hazardous Energy” standard is recommended as best practice for developing lockout programs. Employers need to train every worker (and supervisor) on proper lockout and ensure that lockout devices (padlocks, etc.) are provided. Effective safeguarding and lockout significantly reduce the risk of gruesome injuries like amputations and fatalities.

  
  

• Materials Handling and Ergonomics: To tackle musculoskeletal injuries, manufacturers should provide mechanical lifting aids and enforce safe lifting practices. This could include overhead cranes, hoists, lift tables, or powered carts to move heavy materials instead of having workers carry them. OHS laws generally require employers to provide material handling equipment for heavy or awkward loads where practicable ​search-ohs-laws.alberta.ca】. For instance, if a job involves regularly moving 100-pound objects, the employer must, if reasonably possible, supply a hoist or conveyor rather than relying on manpower alone. Workstation design is also crucial – workbenches should be at proper heights, and tasks should be arranged to minimize bending, overreaching, or twisting motions. Job rotation and stretching programs can help alleviate repetitive motion strain. Training workers in safe lifting techniques and recognizing ergonomic hazards is an important preventive step. By reducing manual handling and awkward postures, companies can prevent many back injuries and strains that account for a large portion of manufacturing lost-time claims.

  
  

• Forklift and Powered Equipment Safety: Manufacturing plants often use forklifts, pallet jacks, and other powered industrial trucks to move materials. These can cause serious “struck-by” or collision injuries if not operated safely. Employers must ensure forklift operators are competently trained and certified. In fact, OHS regulations require that any worker operating a powered lift truck be trained to the prevailing standard (CSA B335) and tested—*no one may operate a forklift without proper training and evaluation​worksafebc.com】. Best practices include segregating pedestrian and forklift traffic with marked aisles and barriers, enforcing speed limits, and equipping forklifts with warning lights or alarms. Regular maintenance of these machines is also mandated so that brakes, horns, and other safety features function correctly. Crane and hoist operations similarly require trained operators and strict procedures (including load limits and communication protocols) to prevent catastrophic accidents like dropped loads.

  
  

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Housekeeping: Manufacturing work often requires robust PPE: cut-resistant gloves when handling sharp objects, safety glasses or face shields to guard against flying particles, steel-toe boots to protect feet from dropped items, and hearing protection in loud environments. Respirators may be needed if there are dusts, fumes, or chemicals (in accordance with WHMIS and airborne contaminant regulations). While PPE is the last line of defense, it’s an essential one – employers must provide appropriate PPE and ensure workers wear it. Good housekeeping in the facility is another fundamental control. Keeping floors clean and dry (or using anti-slip coatings), promptly cleaning up spills, and removing clutter from aisles can prevent slips, trips, and falls. Regulations explicitly require workplaces to keep walking areas free of obstructions and hazards ​laws-lois.justice.gc.ca】. For example, under federal and provincial codes, employers must maintain floors free of slip/trip dangers like oil or debris. Implementing 5S (Sort, Set in order, Shine, Standardize, Sustain) or similar housekeeping methodologies in industrial workplaces can dramatically reduce incidental injuries.

  
  

• Safety Training and Culture: A strong safety culture can be a game-changer in manufacturing. Employers should train workers not just on specific tasks but on overall awareness of hazards. This includes instruction on using tools safely, what to do if a machine malfunctions, and empowerment to refuse unsafe work (a right under OHS law). Supervisors must be trained to recognize unsafe practices and coach workers on safer methods. Toolbox talks and regular safety meetings help reinforce key messages (e.g. reminding about lockout, checking machine guards, using proper lifting stance). Many manufacturers participate in behavior-based safety programs or internal responsibility system initiatives to engage workers in safety solutions. Management commitment is vital – when leadership prioritizes safety equal to production (for instance, tracking safety performance metrics, investing in newer safer technology, and involving workers in safety committees), injury rates tend to fall. Companies can also seek COR (Certificate of Recognition) or similar certifications that audit and verify their health and safety systems, as a way to benchmark and improve their programs.

  
  

By systematically addressing the mechanical, ergonomic, and organizational hazards – through compliance with machinery/OHS regulations and proactive best practices – the manufacturing sector can continue to drive down its injury toll. The combination of engineering controls (guards, equipment), administrative controls (training, procedures), and PPE, backed by a safety-first culture, is the proven formula to keep factory workers safe.

Construction Safety with SAFETY.INC

Construction Injury Performance

Industry Overview: The construction industry is widely recognized as one of the most dangerous industries in Canada. It encompasses residential and commercial building construction, civil engineering projects (roads, bridges), and specialty trades (roofing, electrical, plumbing, etc.). Construction work is performed in dynamic environments that continually change (open sites, varying heights, heavy equipment in use), which introduces numerous hazards. As a result, construction consistently ranks among the top industries for workplace injuries and is the deadliest industry in terms of fatalities. In 2017, construction accounted for about 10.5% of lost-time injury claims in Canada (fourth-highest among industries ​thesafetymag.com】, and it regularly contributes tens of thousands of injury claims per year. More starkly, construction has the highest number of fatal injuries of any sector – for example, 217 construction worker fatalities were recorded in 2012​thesafetymag.com】, and more recently 183 fatalities in 2022​edmontonsocialplanning.ca】, making it the leading industry for workplace deaths.

The construction sector is characterized by a very fragmented employer base, dominated by small and medium contractors. Over 90% of construction firms have fewer than 20 employees (many are even smaller, with crews of just a few workers) – it’s common for contractors and subcontractors to be small businesses. This high proportion of small employers is a factor in safety outcomes; smaller construction firms often lack dedicated safety personnel or robust safety systems, and indeed injury rates tend to be higher in small enterprise​s ecampusontario.pressbooks.pub】. Large construction companies (for instance, major general contractors on infrastructure projects) do exist and often have stronger safety programs, but they represent a smaller share of total employers. From homebuilding sites scattered across suburbs to large industrial projects, construction sites vary greatly, but all share the challenge of multiple hazards and multiple trades working together. The workforce is predominantly male and often features a mix of seasoned workers and many new, young workers entering the trades – younger and less experienced workers can be at higher risk of injury if not properly trained and supervised.

Common Injury Types and Severity: Construction exposes workers to a gamut of hazards, so injury types are diverse. Some of the most common and serious injuries in construction include:

• Falls from Height: Falls are the number one cause of severe injuries and fatalities in construction. Workers regularly perform tasks on ladders, scaffolds, roofs, or structural steel frameworks. A fall from even a few meters can cause disabling injuries (fractures, head injuries) or death. Falls account for a significant portion of lost-time injuries and are the leading cause of traumatic fatalities on construction site​canadasafetytraining.com】. Examples include a roofer falling off a two-story house, a framer falling through an unguarded floor opening, or a scaffolder slipping without a harness. Fall injuries in construction are often very serious (e.g., broken limbs, spinal injuries) and require lengthy recovery; many are permanently life-altering. SafetyTalks.ca

  
  

• Struck-by Injuries: Being struck by an object or equipment is another common incident. Construction sites have materials being moved (e.g., a load of plywood being hoisted by a crane) and tools in use at heights – if a tool or piece of material is dropped from above, it can strike someone below. Workers can also be struck by vehicles or heavy equipment operating on site (e.g., a backing dump truck or swinging excavator). Nail guns or other power tools can discharge projectiles. These “struck-by” incidents can cause head injuries, severe bruises, or worse. For instance, being struck by a moving piece of equipment or a falling beam can be fatal or cause crush injuries.

  
  

• Caught-in/Caught-between: Construction workers can get caught in between moving parts (for example, caught in machinery like a rotating drill rig) or between a piece of equipment and a wall. Trench collapses are a particularly deadly example – a worker in an unshored excavation can be buried by a cave-in (a frequent cause of fatalities in excavation work). Getting caught in a collapse or between heavy objects often results in crushing injuries (fractured ribs, suffocation, amputations).

  
  

• Electrocutions: Many construction tasks involve electrical hazards – electricians working on live circuits, or other trades coming into contact with overhead power lines or underground cables. Contact with electricity can cause shocks, burns, or electrocution (death). While not as numerous as falls or struck-by injuries, electrical accidents make up a share of construction fatalities each year (e.g., a crane boom touching a power line, electrocuting the signaler or operator).

  
  

• Overexertion and Tool Injuries: Construction also has manual material handling (lifting heavy loads, carrying lumber, etc.), so back strains and muscle injuries do occur, though these are somewhat overshadowed by the traumatic injury types above. Repetitive strain can affect trades like drywall installers or concrete finishers due to the physical nature of their work. Hand injuries from powered tools (saws, grinders) are common as well – cuts, amputations of fingers, etc., if tools are misused or lack guards.

  
  

Overall, injury severity in construction skews high. Many incidents cause critical injuries or worse – e.g., multi-story falls, collapses, and heavy equipment incidents often lead to permanent disability or fatality. Even non-fatal injuries, like a broken leg from a fall or a deep laceration from a power saw, typically involve significant recovery time (thus they appear in lost-time claim statistics frequently). Construction has a higher proportion of lost-time injuries per worker than most “low-risk” industries; one analysis noted trades and transport occupations (which include construction trades) have around a 9% annual injury rate, much higher than white-collar jobs. ​www150.statcan.gc.ca】. The fact that construction leads in fatal injuries underscores that when things go wrong on a construction site, the consequences are often dire.

Recent Trends: The construction industry’s safety record has been slowly improving in terms of injury frequency, but the improvements have been modest, and fatalities remain stubbornly high. Over the past two decades, there has been a concerted effort to improve safety – through stricter regulations (e.g., mandatory fall protection, safety training requirements) and industry initiatives – and indeed the rate of lost-time injuries per 100 workers in construction has gradually declined in many provinces. For example, Ontario’s lost-time injury rate in construction today is a fraction of what it was in the 1990s. However, because construction work is so hazardous, the absolute number of injuries is still very high due to the sector’s growth and turnover. Economic cycles also impact construction injuries: during boom times, lots of new, inexperienced workers enter the field and injury numbers can rise; during slowdowns, fewer hours worked mean fewer injuries.

A troubling aspect is that the number of fatalities in construction has not significantly decreased.

Safety experts have noted “we have made little progress in this area over the last two decades” regarding construction fatalities ​thesafetymag.com】. Year after year, falls and other accidents claim a similar toll, suggesting that prevention efforts need strengthening, especially for high-risk activities. Recent data show some fluctuations – e.g., in 2020, construction activity dipped initially due to COVID-19 restrictions, potentially lowering injuries briefly, but by 2021-2022 the industry was very busy again. New challenges, like an aging workforce (older workers might be more susceptible to severe injury) and pressures to meet project deadlines, continue to affect safety. On a positive note, many large contractors and infrastructure projects have adopted stringent safety programs and technologies (like tool tethering to prevent dropped objects, or using drones for inspections instead of putting a worker at height), which help reduce incidents. Yet, smaller residential construction sites may not have the same level of oversight. Overall, we can say the trend in non-fatal injuries is gradually improving (injury rates per worker down, thanks in part to regulations and training), but the trend in severe and fatal injuries is relatively flat, with construction unfortunately still leading all sectors in worker fatalities each year.

Prevention and Mitigation: Construction safety is a wide field, but certain fundamental practices and regulations are key to preventing the common deadly hazards:

• Fall Protection: Every construction site must address fall hazards aggressively. OHS regulations across Canada generally *require fall protection for work at heights of approximately 3 metres (10 feet) or more ​ccohs.ca】. This means that if workers are exposed to a potential fall (off a roof, scaffold, open edge, etc.), the employer must implement protective measures. These measures follow a hierarchy: firstly, eliminate the hazard if possible (e.g., install guardrails around edges and openings – guardrails are mandated on scaffold platforms and building perimeters in most regs). If guardrails or covers cannot be used, then personal fall arrest systems (safety harnesses and lifelines) are required ​ccohs.ca​ccohs.ca】. Workers at height should be trained and equipped with proper harnesses, lanyards, anchors, or travel restraint systems to prevent falls. Many jurisdictions have specific rules; for example, Ontario requires workers on construction projects to complete a Working at Heights training program (a mandatory course) before they can use fall arrest equipment. Employers must also ensure ladders and scaffolding are used safely – scaffolds need proper assembly by qualified persons and guardrails, and ladder use must follow guidelines (like maintaining three-point contact and not standing on the top rungs). Regular inspections of fall protection gear and structures are critical. It is also recommended to use newer technologies such as self-retracting lifelines and rope-grab systems that arrest falls more quickly. By strictly enforcing fall protection rules, the leading cause of fatal accidents can be significantly mitigated.

  
  

• Hazard Communication and Training: Construction sites often have a mix of crews and subcontractors, so clear communication of hazards is essential. Each site should hold Safety Talks or tailgate safety meetings daily or weekly to discuss ongoing hazards (today we’re doing roof work – ensure your fall protection is in place; or we’re using a crane – stay clear of the swing radius, etc.). Supervisors must conduct (and document) site-specific safety orientations for all new workers, informing them of site rules, emergency procedures, and specific risks (like where the power lines are, or if any areas are restricted). OHS law requires that workers be informed of hazards and trained in safe work procedures. For example, if a worker is going to operate a powder-actuated tool (like a nail gun), they must be trained and certified to use it safely. Many provinces require formal certification for certain high-risk roles (scaffold erectors, tower crane operators, blasters, etc.). Ensuring all workers and especially young/new workers receive proper training can prevent accidents caused by ignorance or misuse of equipment. A strong internal responsibility system on site – where everyone (owners, contractors, supervisors, workers) understands their safety responsibilities – helps create accountability. Additionally, coordination between subcontractors through regular safety coordination meetings (often led by the general contractor or constructor) ensures that one crew’s activities don’t unknowingly endanger another (e.g., one trade working above another must communicate to prevent dropping tools onto those below).

  
  

• Use of Protective Equipment and Site Controls: Construction workers should be equipped with appropriate personal protective equipment at all times: hard hats to protect against head injuries from falling objects, safety boots to prevent foot injuries, high-visibility vests or clothing especially when mobile equipment is present (so operators can see them), and fall arrest harnesses when needed. Eye protection and gloves are also commonly required for many tasks (cutting, welding, handling debris). Beyond PPE, site safety controls must be in place: for struck-by hazards, that means using barricades and spotters around heavy equipment, setting up exclusion zones below roofing or overhead work to keep people out of danger from falling objects, and using signage to warn of hazards. Traffic control on road construction sites is crucial – trained traffic control persons (flaggers), signage and cones, and possibly barriers separate workers from public traffic. For excavation work, trench shoring or shielding is required by law for deeper trenches to prevent cave-ins, and safe entry/exit (ladders in trenches) must be provided. Obeying these regulations (such as Ontario’s requirement that any trench deeper than 1.2m must be protected from collapse, or similar rules elsewhere) will save lives.

  
  

• Equipment and Tool Safety: Construction uses a vast array of tools and machines – all of which need proper maintenance and safe operation. Cranes, for example, should only be operated by qualified operators and need regular inspections and load testing. A failure in lifting operations can be catastrophic, so planning all lifts (ensuring not overloading cranes, having riggers attach loads correctly, and keeping workers clear of suspended loads) is essential. Heavy equipment like excavators and bulldozers come with blind spots; thus, having procedures for backing up (backup alarms on vehicles, using spotters when needed) prevents run-overs. Power tools such as circular saws and grinders must have guards in place (no removing the blade guard for convenience) and use Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) on extension cords to prevent electrocutions. Many construction injuries happen due to improper tool use, so enforcing manufacturer instructions and safe practices is key. Housekeeping on site should not be neglected: formwork scraps, nails (which can cause puncture wounds), and general debris create trip hazards and can hide dangers. Keeping the site tidy as work progresses is part of safety compliance.

  
  

• Compliance with Regulations and Standards: Construction employers need to follow not just general OHS Acts but also construction-specific safety regulations. These cover areas like scaffolding, fall protection, electrical safety, confined spaces, and more. For example, regulations mandate that scaffolds be constructed and inspected by competent persons and that guardrails on scaffolds meet specific height and strength requirement​laws-lois.justice.gc.ca​laws-lois.justice.gc.ca】. Adhering to these prescriptive requirements is non-negotiable for safety. In addition, industry best practices such as the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) standards (e.g., CSA Z259 series for fall protection equipment, CSA Z797 for scaffolding, etc.) should be implemented. Many construction firms participate in the Certificate of Recognition (COR) program or similar audits to ensure their safety program meets a high standard. Regular safety inspections (both internal and by regulatory officers) help catch hazards before they cause harm. Another best practice is employing full-time safety coordinators on larger projects to monitor compliance and coach workers on safe techniques continuously.

  
  

Construction is hazardous by nature, but with rigorous application of these safety measures – securing every edge and opening, proper planning and training, and a culture that insists on safety – injuries can be prevented. The high injury and fatality rates in this industry are not inevitable; they are often the outcome of insufficient fall protection, rushed work, or lack of knowledge. By following OHS regulations to the letter and embracing a safety-first approach (no job proceeds if safety is in question), construction employers can protect their workers and reduce the grim statistics that have long plagued this industry.

Transportation and Warehousing Injury Performance

Industry Overview: The transportation and warehousing sector covers a broad range of activities: trucking and road transport, air and rail transportation, courier and delivery services, warehousing and distribution centers, and related logistics operations. This sector is crucial to Canada’s supply chains but comes with substantial risks to workers. In terms of injury numbers, transportation and warehousing is among the top five sectors – it contributes a large number of lost-time claims each year (in 2022, over 26,000 lost-time injuries were reported in this sector ​canadasafetytraining.com】). What truly sets it apart is the high severity of incidents: transportation has one of the highest fatality rates of any industry. Approximately *one in five workplace fatalities in Canada occurs in the transportation and warehousing sectors ​canadasafetytraining.com】, reflecting the dangers of vehicle collisions and heavy equipment. The workforce includes truck drivers (both long-haul and local), delivery drivers, warehouse workers, forklift operators, cargo handlers, and others. Employer sizes vary widely. There are some large employers – e.g. national trucking companies, major courier companies, big retail distribution warehouses – but also countless small operators (independent truckers, small trucking fleets, local moving companies, etc.). In trucking especially, many companies are very small (dozens of one-truck or few-truck firms), whereas warehousing (like Amazon fulfillment centers or large cold-storage warehouses) often involves big facilities with hundreds of workers. This mix poses challenges: smaller operators might lack formal safety programs, and lone operators (like owner-driver truckers) work independently on the roads, while large warehouses have to coordinate many workers and machines under one roof.

Common Injury Types and Severity: The transportation and warehousing sector’s injuries typically arise from a combination of vehicular accidents, materials handling, and equipment use. Key injury types include:

• Motor Vehicle Accidents: For truck drivers and delivery drivers, crashes on the road are a leading cause of fatal and severe injuries. Collisions can result in whiplash, broken bones, head injuries, or death. Even non-fatal incidents (like a driver hitting a ditch or minor collision) can cause soft-tissue injuries requiring time off. Transportation incidents also include yard collisions (e.g., being struck by a moving truck or trailer in a loading yard).

  
  

• Falls (same-level and from heights): Workers in trucking and warehousing often climb on and off vehicles, docks, or racks. Slips and trips on loading docks or warehouse floors are common – leading to sprained ankles, knee injuries, or back injuries. More seriously, falls from heights occur when a worker falls from the back of a truck trailer, from a loading dock without a trailer present (dock gap), or from ladders used in warehouses. Falls are a significant source of injuries; in fact, falls are cited as a major hazard contributing to fatalities in this sector ​canadasafetytraining.com】 (e.g., a warehouse worker falling from an elevated order picker or a trucker falling off a loaded flatbed).

  
  

• Overexertion and Musculoskeletal Injuries: Loading and unloading freight is physically demanding. Lifting and carrying heavy items (packages, furniture, freight) can lead to back strains, shoulder injuries, and other musculoskeletal disorders. Repetitive lifting in warehouses (order picking, parcel sorting) often causes chronic back pain or acute strain injuries. Even truck drivers, who sit for long periods, can get injuries when tarping loads or cranking trailer dollies. Overexertion is one of the most frequent causes of lost-time claims in warehousing environments.

  
  

• Struck-by or Caught-between Incidents: Warehouses and freight terminals see extensive use of forklifts and material handling equipment. Workers on foot can be struck by a forklift if traffic management is poor. There are incidents of pallets or loads falling from forklifts or storage racks onto workers. In loading areas, workers sometimes get caught between a reversing truck trailer and the dock or between a forklift and a wall. These incidents can result in serious crushing injuries. A specific example is “pinch point” injuries – a truck driver could get a finger caught and severed in trailer doors or get pinned by rolling cargo.

  
  

• Other Hazards: In trucking, fatigue is a hazard that can indirectly cause injuries (e.g., leading to accidents). Environmental exposure is also an issue: drivers and warehouse staff may work in extreme cold or heat, which can cause cold stress or heat exhaustion. Additionally, violence can be a concern for some delivery drivers (e.g., robberies targeting truck cargo or couriers), though less common than in say retail. Long-term exposures, like whole-body vibration from driving or diesel exhaust exposure, can contribute to health issues, but acute injuries dominate the stats.

  
  

The severity of injuries in this sector is notably high. Forklift accidents, for instance, can be deadly or cause permanent disability (e.g., if a forklift tips over onto an operator or a pedestrian is struck). Highway accidents often result in fatalities or severe trauma – transportation incidents are a major contributor to occupational deaths. Even the more routine injuries like back strains can be severe enough to incapacitate workers for extended periods (a slipped disc from lifting can take months of recovery). The combination of high speeds (vehicles), heavy loads, and heavy equipment means many injuries go beyond minor cuts or bruises. According to safety data, the transportation/warehousing sector’s fatal injury count is consistently near the top, alongside construction. Non-fatal injuries like strains and sprains are also very common (for example, warehousing alone sees thousands of sprain/strain injuries per year). So while there are many “moderate” injuries (e.g., a strained back), the sector as a whole must contend with frequent serious injuries and a high fatality risk.

Recent Trends: The trends in transportation and warehousing injuries have been influenced by changes in the economy and workforce. With the rise of e-commerce, there has been rapid growth in warehouse employment and delivery services in recent years. This increased activity has correlated with a rise in incidents in warehousing and logistics. Reports indicate that the warehousing industry has seen a notable uptick in workplace accidents in the past few year​canadasafetytraining.com】. For example, as more fulfillment centers operate at high pace and throughput, incidents involving forklifts, conveyors, or manual handling can increase if safety doesn’t keep up with the speed of operations. The COVID-19 pandemic put additional pressure on supply chains (more demand for delivered goods) and also introduced some new risks (social distancing requirements might have meant fewer staff doing the same amount of work, increasing strain).

On the trucking side, there have been improvements due to stricter regulations on driver hours (to combat fatigue) and better vehicle safety technology (like stability control, collision avoidance systems in newer trucks), which can reduce crashes. However, trucking still experiences many fatal incidents each year and slight year-to-year fluctuations. Some provinces have reported decreases in lost-time injury frequency rates in trucking over the long term, yet the absolute number of claims remains high given the workforce size. The demographic of truck drivers – many older drivers – means injury severity can be greater (an older driver may be more severely hurt in a crash than a younger one, and recovery might be slower).

During 2020, road traffic volumes temporarily dropped due to lockdowns, possibly reducing motor vehicle accidents for a time. But by 2021-2022, road traffic (and thus transport work) rebounded, and any temporary dip in injuries would have rebounded too. A specific area of increasing focus is courier and food delivery workers (including gig economy drivers and bicyclists) – they are experiencing more incidents as their numbers grow, though not all are captured in workers’ compensation stats if they’re not classified as employees. Overall, we can say transportation and warehousing injuries have been on a slight rise in recent years, mainly driven by warehousing and delivery growth. The severity (fatalities) remains a serious concern, though regulatory efforts (like mandatory seat belt use, hours-of-service rules, etc.) continue to try to reduce vehicular accidents. Given the ongoing high demand for logistics (and the strain on the workforce), this sector will need continuous attention to safety to reverse any upward injury trends.

Prevention and Mitigation: Preventing injuries in transportation and warehousing requires a multi-faceted approach addressing both on-road safety and material handling safety:

• Fleet Safety and Driver Training: For any company operating trucks or delivery vehicles, a robust fleet safety program is essential. This includes thorough driver training on defensive driving techniques, safe loading of vehicles, and emergency maneuvers. Commercial drivers must have the proper licensing and should receive additional coaching beyond the basic license test – covering topics like managing fatigue, adverse weather driving, and avoiding distractions. Fatigue management is critical: under federal regulations, commercial truck drivers have hours-of-service limits (e.g., generally no more than 13 hours driving in a day and mandatory rest periods). Companies need to enforce these rules and schedule realistically to prevent exhausted drivers. Electronic logging devices (now mandatory for federally regulated trucks) help ensure drivers take required rest. Regular driver evaluations and refreshers (for example, periodic ride-alongs or simulator training) can reinforce safe practices. Some firms use in-cab monitoring systems or dashcams to provide feedback to drivers and identify risky behaviors (like hard braking or lane departures), allowing for targeted coaching.

  
  

• Vehicle Maintenance and Safety Technology: Well-maintained vehicles are safer vehicles. Companies should adhere to strict preventative maintenance schedules for trucks, forklifts, and other equipment. Brakes, tires, lights – all must be kept in top condition to avoid failures that could cause an accident. Many jurisdictions require annual (or more frequent) safety inspections for commercial vehicles. Beyond maintenance, adopting safety technologies can mitigate accidents. For trucks: speed limiters (often mandated on transport trucks), collision avoidance systems, lane departure warnings, and stability control can all reduce crash likelihood or severity. Forklifts and warehouse vehicles should have functioning backup alarms, mirrors, and even modern aids like blue/red lights that project on the floor to warn pedestrians of approaching forklifts. Some warehouses are implementing sensors that alert when a pedestrian is in a forklift’s path. Utilizing these technologies, while not a replacement for safe driving, provides an extra layer of defense.

  
  

• Material Handling and Ergonomics in Warehouses: To reduce overexertion injuries, warehouses and delivery operations should use mechanical aids and smart workflow. This means using forklifts, pallet jacks, conveyor belts, lift-assist devices, and carts to minimize manual lifting. If manual lifting is unavoidable, proper team lifting (two-person lifts) should be encouraged for heavy items. Workstation ergonomics in distribution centers can be improved by height-adjustable pack tables and requiring job rotation to avoid repetitive strain. Training in proper lifting techniques (keep the back straight, lift with the legs, etc.) is a basic requirement, though engineering controls (like lift equipment) are preferred. Loading docks should have dock levelers and bridge plates to eliminate gaps and differential heights, reducing the risk of trips and ease material movement. Many jurisdictions, like Alberta, explicitly require providing equipment for heavy loads to minimize manual handling ​search-ohs-laws.alberta.ca】, which applies in warehouse settings as well. Additionally, organizing the warehouse to minimize carrying distances (placing heavy frequently-picked items at waist height and near shipping areas) is a best practice gleaned from ergonomics studies.

  
  

• Forklift and Warehouse Traffic Safety: Warehouses must manage the interaction of people and machines. Only trained and certified operators should use forklifts – WorkSafeBC, for example, requires operators to be trained to the CSA standard B335-15 and pass a tes​t worksafebc.com】. Training should cover not just operation but also battery refueling/recharging procedures and what to do on ramps, etc. Establishing traffic lanes and floor markings can delineate pedestrian pathways separate from forklift routes. Many warehouses use physical barriers (railings, bollards) to protect pedestrian work areas or intersections. Enforcing speed limits for forklifts and requiring operators to sound horns at blind corners can prevent collisions. Also critical is loading dock safety: wheel chocks or vehicle restraint systems should be used to prevent trailers from moving during loading (preventing the gap that can lead to forklift tip-overs or falls). Dock doors should not be open without a trailer in place unless a barrier is present, to prevent forklifts driving off the dock. Regular inspections of racks and shelving help ensure they are secure and not overloaded (collapsing racking can cause catastrophic injuries). Employees on foot in loading areas should wear high-visibility vests. Some companies implement a rule that pedestrians must make eye contact with forklift drivers before crossing their path – simple protocols like that improve awareness on both ends.

  
  

• Work Environment Controls and PPE: The nature of transportation work means workers face environmental risks – for example, truck drivers working outside securing loads or warehouse staff in cold storage. Employers should provide proper protective equipment and attire: this might include insulated clothing for cold, hydration and heat-stress programs for hot weather, and high-visibility apparel for anyone working near moving vehicles (especially at night or low light). In the context of trucking, ensuring seat belt use is obviously crucial – a simple measure that greatly reduces injury severity in crashes. Companies must have a zero-tolerance policy on driving without seat belts. In warehouses, standard PPE includes safety footwear (to protect from dropped loads) and sometimes bump caps or helmets if there’s risk of overhead contact or falling objects. When manual materials handling can’t be eliminated, the use of lifting belts is sometimes considered; however, evidence on their effectiveness is mixed, and emphasis remains on proper lifting techniques and reducing weight. Working alone protocols should be in place for truckers and any lone night warehouse workers – for instance, check-in systems or emergency communication devices, as required by some provincial regulations for lone workers.

  
  

• Regulatory Compliance and Best Practices: Transportation and warehousing employers must comply with a mix of OHS regulations and transportation-specific rules (like the federal Canada Labour Code for interprovincial transport, and provincial OHS for local). For example, federally-regulated road transportation companies must adhere to the Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations which include requirements for things like seat-belt usage, safe entry/exit of vehicles, and emergency kits. Also, the Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) Act comes into play if hazardous materials are transported – ensuring proper training, labeling, and accident procedures to prevent chemical injuries or explosions. Adopting industry best practices such as the National Safety Code standards for trucking can improve safety (e.g., standardized pre-trip inspection routines). Many larger fleets pursue ISO 39001 Road Traffic Safety certification or similar to formalize their safety management. In warehouses, behavior-based safety programs (where employees observe each other and give feedback on safe/unsafe behaviors) have been used to build a safety culture. Encouraging near-miss reporting is also valuable – if a forklift nearly hits a pedestrian, reporting and analyzing that near-miss can lead to changes (like adding a mirror or floor stop line) before an actual injury occurs.

  
  

Transportation and warehousing will always involve a level of risk due to moving vehicles and heavy cargo. But through strict adherence to regulations (hours of service, forklift training, etc.), engineering controls in warehouses, proper training, and leveraging technology, companies can significantly reduce the toll. Given that this sector sees about 20% of workplace fatalities ​canadasafetytraining.com】, every preventive measure – from something as simple as mandatory seat belt policies to as advanced as automatic braking on trucks – can literally be life-saving. Both employers and workers must prioritize safety over speed; a culture that says “no delivery or shipment is so urgent that it cannot be done safely” is imperative to drive down injury and fatality rates in this sector.

Retail Trade Safety

Retail Trade Injury Performance

Industry Overview: The retail trade sector comprises businesses that sell goods directly to consumers – including grocery stores, supermarkets, big-box stores, clothing and department stores, convenience stores, and shopping mall retailers. It employs a huge workforce across Canada, from cashiers and sales associates to stock clerks, but is not often thought of as “high hazard.” Nevertheless, due to the sheer number of workers and the physical tasks involved in retail jobs, the retail sector experiences a large number of workplace injuries. In fact, retail trade has one of the highest counts of injuries in Canada – typically in the top four or five industries. In 2017, retail accounted for about 11% of all lost-time claims (making it the third-highest sector at that time ​thesafetymag.com】. This translates to many thousands of injuries per year (on the order of 20,000–30,000 annual lost-time claims in recent years).

The employer size in retail is bimodal: there are many small businesses (independent shops, small boutiques, corner stores) and also very large employers (national retail chains with thousands of employees, like grocery or department store chains). Large retail companies often have many locations (each location might be a medium-sized workplace even if the company as a whole is large). In terms of risk, certain retail sub-sectors like grocery stores, supermarkets, and warehouse-style retailers tend to have more injuries (they involve lots of material handling, use of carts, stocking shelves, etc.), whereas sectors like clothing retail have fewer heavy tasks but still face slip/fall and repetitive strain issues. Retail employs a high proportion of young workers (teens and young adults in their first jobs) who may be inexperienced with workplace safety, as well as a significant number of female workers (especially in sectors like clothing and grocery cashiering) who might face specific ergonomic challenges (like prolonged standing at checkouts).

Common Injury Types and Severity: Retail workplaces might not have the heavy machinery of manufacturing or heights of construction, but they present a set of more everyday hazards that still frequently injure workers. Common injury types in retail include:

• Overexertion and Musculoskeletal Injuries: A major category in retail is sprains and strains, often from lifting, carrying, or moving merchandise. Stock clerks unloading delivery trucks or stocking shelves manually handle boxes of products – lifting cases of goods (e.g., beverages, canned goods in a grocery store) can strain the back or shoulders. Even sales associates may need to carry inventory from the backroom. Repetitive motions such as constant scanning at a checkout or folding clothes can contribute to repetitive strain injuries over time (wrist or shoulder issues). According to safety analyses, muscle strains and sprains are among the most common injuries for retail workers ​amtrustfinancial.com】 (e.g., lifting injuries, pushing heavy carts).

  
  

• Slips, Trips, and Falls: Retail environments are customer-facing and often involve lots of foot traffic. Slip and trip hazards abound – spilled liquids on a grocery store floor, rain or snow tracked into an entrance, merchandise or hangers dropped on the floor, or stock left temporarily in an aisle can all lead to a worker slipping or tripping. Employees climbing ladders or step stools to retrieve items or do displays face a risk of falling a short distance. These incidents can cause injuries ranging from bruises and minor sprains to more serious fractures. Falls on the same level (slipping on a wet floor) often result in back or knee injuries that require days off work. Given that housekeeping is sometimes overlooked in busy stores, these injuries remain frequent.

  
  

• Cuts and Lacerations: Many retail jobs involve the use of knives or sharp tools. In grocery stores, clerks use box cutters to open shipments – a slip of a box cutter can cut deeply into a hand. Delicatessen or bakery departments have knives and slicers which can cause serious cuts if mishandled (though deli/butchery might be considered “food manufacturing” in some classifications, many grocery store employees are part of retail operations). Even clerks handling broken glass (from dropped bottles, for example) can get cut. These injuries typically affect the hands and fingers. They can range from minor cuts requiring first aid to deep lacerations needing stitches. In some cases, retail workers have even amputated finger tips in slicers or caught fingers in machinery like bakery mixers – though not common, such severe injuries do occur.

  
  

• Being Struck by Objects: Retail workers can be hit by falling merchandise. This is particularly an issue in big-box retail or home improvement stores where goods may be stored on high shelves. If merchandise is improperly stacked or a shelf is overloaded, items can fall on employees (or customers). Even in smaller stores, an employee might pull a heavy box from a high shelf and have it slip. Stockroom injuries also occur when items shift and fall from storage. These incidents can cause head or body injuries – hence many retailers require stock workers to wear safety shoes and sometimes even bump caps.

  
  

• Workplace Violence: Retail employees, especially those handling cash or working late hours in convenience stores, face a risk of robberies or assaults. Convenience store clerks and gas station attendants have been victims of violent robberies, and even in larger stores employees may occasionally have confrontations with shoplifters or unruly customers. While not the most common cause of injury in retail, violence can result in serious physical and psychological harm. Young workers might be particularly vulnerable if working alone at night in a retail setting. All Canadian jurisdictions require violence prevention policies, and in retail this means measures like good lighting, video surveillance, cash-handling procedures that minimize cash on hand, and possibly security staff in higher-risk locations.

  
  

In terms of severity, most retail injuries are on the milder end of the spectrum relative to industries like construction or transportation. Many are sprains, minor cuts, or bruises that, while painful, result in a week or two off work at most. However, there are certainly cases of severe injuries: a broken bone from a slip on ice in a parking lot, a deep laceration from a power cutter in a meat department, or a traumatic incident during a robbery. Fatalities in retail are very rare but sadly not unheard of – for instance, retail workers have been killed during armed robberies or during catastrophic events like a store roof collapse or fire. By and large, though, retail injuries tend to be non-fatal and less severe; for example, a typical case might be a clerk straining their back lifting a heavy box, requiring physiotherapy and modified duties for a period. That said, because retail employs so many people, even these “moderate” injuries add up to significant lost work time and costs. And for the injured workers, even a “moderate” injury can mean chronic pain (e.g., a back injury can linger) or financial stress during recovery, so prevention is still very important.

Recent Trends: The injury trend in retail trade has been relatively stable or slightly improving over the long term. As manual handling tools improve (more use of pallet jacks, for instance) and awareness grows, some types of injuries have seen minor declines. Additionally, many large retailers have implemented strong safety programs in recent years, focusing on ergonomics and incident reduction. The Canadian retail sector did see upheaval during the COVID-19 pandemic: stores faced new challenges like managing customer flow, enforcing mask rules (which led to some violent encounters), and dealing with understaffing and supply chain issues. There was also a surge in curbside pickup and online order fulfillment from stores, which effectively turned some retail staff into warehouse-style pickers – this may have increased material handling injuries in grocery and big-box retailers as they raced to assemble orders. On the flip side, periods of lockdown and capacity restrictions in 2020 meant fewer workers in stores and possibly fewer injuries for a time. By 2022, retail operations normalized, and injury patterns likely returned to pre-pandemic norms.

One notable trend is increased investment in training for young retail workers. Programs across provinces target young worker safety, since retail is often a first job – educating them on proper lifting and hazard reporting has been a focus, which could help bring down injury rates. Automation is slowly entering retail (for example, some grocery warehouses are automated, and some stores use automated stock retrieval for backroom). However, front-line retail remains labor-intensive. Slip/trip incidents remain stubbornly common, but there’s a growing use of slip-resistant flooring and better housekeeping practices in modern stores. Also, many retailers have improved the ergonomic design of checkout stands (adjustable cash register heights, anti-fatigue mats, etc.) which can reduce repetitive strain on cashiers. Overall, retail injuries per hour worked have not seen dramatic shifts – they form a steady component of workplace injuries. The total number of injuries in retail can fluctuate with employment levels: when retail hiring is up (or during busy seasons like the holidays when temporary staff are added), injuries can tick up correspondingly. In recent statistics, retail has remained among the top contributors to lost-time claims, though usually behind health care and manufacturing. The consistency suggests that while catastrophic injuries are rare, the day-to-day risks of strains and slips in retail have yet to be fully conquered, necessitating ongoing prevention efforts.

Prevention and Mitigation: To reduce injuries in retail workplaces, employers and workers should focus on good practices in manual handling, housekeeping, and customer/staff safety:

• Ergonomics and Safe Lifting: Retail employers should train staff in proper lifting techniques and make sure help is available for heavy lifts. No employee should be lifting something too heavy to manage alone – team lifts or splitting loads into smaller parcels is advised. Using mechanical aids is important: dollies, hand trucks, and stocking carts should be provided and used to move stock rather than carrying by hand. Many grocery stores now receive goods on pallets and use pallet jacks to move them, reducing some manual carrying. Shelving design can place heavier items on middle shelves (waist height) to minimize lifting above shoulder level or bending to floor – this concept of storing heavy goods in the “power zone” (mid-torso height) helps protect backs. For repetitive tasks like checkout scanning, employers can rotate employees between tasks (cashier, stocking, customer service) to vary muscle use. Anti-fatigue mats at checkouts and sit/stand stools can help cashiers who stand for long periods, reducing leg and back strain. Some provinces’ OHS guidelines encourage these accommodations to lessen strain on retail workers. In clothing stores, using rolling racks and ensuring that large shipments are broken down into manageable loads can avoid overexertion. It’s also beneficial to teach employees simple stretching exercises for warm-up at the start of shifts that involve heavy stocking.

  
  

• Housekeeping and Floor Safety: Good housekeeping is one of the simplest and most effective injury prevention measures in retail. Spills must be cleaned up immediately and “Wet Floor” caution signs put out until the area is dry ​ccohs.ca】. Employers should establish cleaning schedules for floors, especially in produce sections of grocery stores or anywhere liquids might leak. During winter, entrances must be kept dry – mats to soak up slush and regular mopping of puddles prevent slip injuries. As a rule, aisles and walkways should be kept clear of obstacles; stock should not be left in customer aisles longer than necessary. Storerooms should be organized with stable stacking of boxes (heaviest at the bottom) to prevent avalanche-like falls of merchandise. OHS regulations often have general requirements for housekeeping – for instance, the Canada OHS Regulations state that every walkway “shall be kept free of accumulations of ice and snow or other slipping hazards ​laws-lois.justice.gc.ca】, a rule highly relevant to retail storefronts. Non-slip footwear is also an important control: many retailers encourage or require staff to wear shoes with good traction. Some employers provide a footwear allowance or specify slip-resistant shoes as part of the dress code. Adequate lighting in all areas (including storage rooms) also helps employees see and avoid hazards.

  
  

• Ladder and Equipment Safety: When workers need to reach high shelves, proper ladders or step stools should be provided (and used, rather than employees standing on improvised platforms or chairs). Training employees on how to safely use ladders – e.g., maintain three-point contact, don’t carry items while climbing, have someone hold the ladder if needed – can prevent falls. If mobile stairs or order-picking ladders are used in warehouse-style retail, they should have handrails and locking wheels. All such equipment should be regularly inspected for stability. In larger stores, manual handling equipment like electric pallet jacks or forkable stock carts might be used – only trained staff should operate these, and they should be instructed to follow safe speeds and watch out for coworkers and customers. Some big stores use forklifts off-hours to stock heavy items; operators must be certified and the area cordoned off from other staff. Hooks for safely retrieving items from high shelves (long pole stock retrievers) can be used to avoid climbing. Tools like box cutters should be of safe design (with retractable blades) and training given so that employees cut away from themselves and keep free hand clear to avoid lacerations. Ensuring that any powered equipment (like cardboard balers in a stockroom or meat slicers in a grocery) has proper guards and emergency stop features, and that only authorized, trained personnel use them, is vital.

  
  

• Workplace Violence Prevention: Especially for those retail operations open late or handling cash, measures to protect workers from violence are important. Employers should implement robbery deterrence tactics: keep minimal cash in tills (use time-delay safes), have good visibility into the store (unobstructed windows) so police or passersby can see in, and possibly use security cameras or even security guards in higher-risk stores. Workers (particularly those working alone at night) should be trained on what to do during a robbery – e.g., don’t resist, comply and prioritize safety. Emergency procedures and alarms (like a panic button that alerts police) should be in place. Under OHS laws, any store where workers might face violence (which is essentially all, to some degree) must have a violence prevention plan ​ccohs.ca】; in retail, this includes procedures for dealing with shoplifting or belligerent customers (e.g., de-escalation techniques), and a clear policy that employees should not chase or physically confront shoplifters – that is a job for security or police. For late-night convenience store workers, some jurisdictions have specific regulations (for example, requiring safe enclosure of the clerk or having at least two staff on duty) to mitigate risk.

  
  

• General Safety Training and Supervision: Retailers should not overlook safety orientation for new hires. Even a teen hired part-time to stock shelves needs to know how to do so safely and how to report hazards. Training should cover how to lift properly, how to use any store equipment, what to do if they find a spill, and how to get help for an injured customer or coworker. Supervision is key as well – supervisors or managers should monitor that employees are using ladders correctly, not overloading themselves, and following safety procedures. They should also enforce rest breaks, as fatigue can lead to mistakes and injuries (cashiers, for instance, benefit from short breaks to stretch and rest from repetitive motions). Encouraging a culture where employees feel comfortable reporting hazards or near-misses without fear is important – for example, if a worker nearly slips on a spill but catches themselves, they should feel empowered to immediately get it cleaned and report that incident so the root cause (maybe a leak in a freezer) can be fixed. Some large retail companies track near-miss and injury data across all stores to identify patterns (maybe a certain type of shelf causing multiple stores’ employees to get cut, leading to redesign).

  
  

By focusing on these preventive measures, retail employers can greatly reduce the likelihood of accidents. Simple interventions – a mop to a spill, a two-person lift for a heavy box, a reminder to use the step stool instead of climbing – can prevent the bulk of retail injuries. Since the severity of many retail injuries is lower, it’s very feasible to bring down injury rates with diligent housekeeping and ergonomic practices. Moreover, preventing injuries improves productivity and employee morale in an industry known for high turnover. In summary, the retail sector should not be complacent just because it isn’t as overtly dangerous as construction; a proactive safety approach is needed to protect its large workforce from the everyday hazards of stores and shops.

Comparative Summary of Key Metrics

The table below compares the key aspects of each industry with the highest number of workplace injuries in Canada, based on recent data and trends:

Industry	Annual Lost-Time Injury Claims (approx.)	Common Injuries & Hazards	Typical Employer Size	Recent Trend
Health Care & Social Assistance	Over 100,000 (peaked ~127k in 2022​edmontonsocialplanning.ca】	Strains (lifting patients), violence-related injuries (assaults), some needlestick/infectious disease exposures. Injuries often involve back/shoulder damage; fatalities rare (most injuries non-fatal).	Large public employers (hospitals, long-term care), plus many medium facilities.	Increasing in recent years (surge due to COVID-19 and higher violence​capitalcurrent.ca】.
Manufacturing	≈ 30,000+ per yea​thesafetymag.com】	Overexertion injuries (lifting materials), cuts/amputations (machinery), crush injuries (caught in equipment), falls. Many injuries are serious (fractures, amputations); dozens of fatalities annually (second-highest sector for deaths​thesafetymag.com】.	Mix of large factories and many small-to-mid size plants. SMEs common, often with higher ris​ecampusontario.pressbooks.pub】.	Gradually decreasing over long term (improved automation and safety), with injury rates down, though absolute claims remain high.
Construction	≈ 25,000–30,000 per yea​thesafetymag.com】	Falls from heights (roofs, scaffolds) – leading cause of severe injuries; struck-by injuries (falling objects, equipment), equipment-related (trench collapse, electrocution). Injuries often severe (fractures, head injuries); highest fatalities of any sector (e.g. 183 deaths in 2022​edmontonsocialplanning.ca】.	Highly fragmented – majority are small contractors (<20 workers​ecampusontario.pressbooks.pub】; a few large firms on big projects.	Stable injury rates (some improvements in minor injuries) but little change in fatality rate​thesafetymag.com】 over decades.
Transportation & Warehousing	≈ 20,000–25,000 per yea​canadasafetytraining.com】	Vehicle accidents (truck/car crashes) – major source of fatalities; musculoskeletal strains (loading trucks, warehouse work); falls (from trucks or docks); struck by incidents (forklifts, falling freight). High severity – frequent serious injuries and among the top for worker deaths (one in five fatalities​canadasafetytraining.com】.	Mix of small operators (many owner-operator truckers, small fleets) and large logistics firms (big warehouses, courier companies).	Increasing slightly in recent years (growth of warehousing and delivery driving up incidents​canadasafetytraining.com】; remains a high-risk sector for severe injuries.
Retail Trade	≈ 20,000–30,000 per yea​thesafetymag.com】	Overexertion (lifting stock, moving merchandise) causing sprains; slips, trips on floors; cuts (box cutters, knives); occasional fall from ladder; workplace violence (robberies) in convenience retail. Injuries usually minor to moderate (strains, cuts); fatalities very rare.	Two extremes: many small stores and many large chain stores (each location is moderate-sized). High proportion of young and part-time workers.	Stable overall injury rates (gradual improvements with better ergonomics and training). Seasonal peaks align with busy periods; no major recent spikes.

Sources: AWCBC national statistics ​thesafetymag.com​edmontonsocialplanning.ca】, provincial workers’ compensation reports, and sector-specific studies. The trends and common hazards are drawn from recent analyses and reflect the current state (as of mid-2020s) of occupational injuries in these industries.

We Can Help! Contact Mike@SAFETY.INC

Conclusion

In summary, a handful of industries – health care, manufacturing, construction, transportation, and retail – account for a large portion of Canada’s workplace injuries. Each of these sectors presents unique challenges: health care workers suffer from patient-handling strains and violence, factory workers face machinery and material hazards, construction workers brave heights and heavy equipment, transport workers contend with vehicles and cargo, and retail staff deal with ergonomic strains and slips. The severity profile varies, from predominantly lost-time but non-fatal injuries in retail and health care, to a high incidence of critical and fatal injuries in construction and transportation. Encouragingly, long-term trends show improvements in many areas due to better regulation and prevention efforts – for instance, machine guarding, fall protection requirements, and ergonomic programs have all contributed to safer workplaces. However, recent surges in sectors like health care remind us that vigilance is needed, and emerging issues (such as pandemic impacts or the stress on supply chain workers) must be addressed proactively.

Prevention and mitigation strategies tailored to each industry are essential. This includes strict adherence to OHS regulations – whether it be fall protection rules on construction sites, safe patient handling requirements in hospitals, or mandatory training for forklift and truck operators. It also means embracing industry best practices: encouraging a strong safety culture, investing in safer equipment and tools, and providing effective training and supervision. By comparing these high-risk industries, it’s evident that while the hazards differ, the fundamental approach to safety is universal: identify the risks, implement controls (engineering, administrative, PPE), and engage everyone from management to front-line workers in creating a safer work environment. Continued efforts by employers, workers, and regulators will be required to sustain the progress made and to further reduce the human and economic toll of workplace injuries across Canada’s industries​ccohs.ca​ccohs.ca】