In 2023, 5,283 workers died on the job in 2023, according to the National Safety Council (NSC).This amounts to 14 families per day facing the loss of a loved one due to a preventable tragedy. Beyond that human toll, the economic impact of workplace fatalities in 2023 reached $7.7 billion, according to an Avetta estimate based on NSC data.
The newly-released Avetta Insights and Impact Report identifies evidence-based strategies that meaningfully reduce fatality rates across the supply chain. The inaugural study is a deep dive into the systemic drivers behind fatal workplace incidents based on real-world data from the company’s extensive client and supplier network.
“While injury rates have steadily declined over the past decade, fatality rates remain unacceptably high.”
— Arshad Matin, President, CEO & Board Member, Avetta
“Our commitment to safer, smarter supply chains is unwavering—we believe even a single workplace death is one too many,” said Arshad Matin, president, CEO and board member at Avetta. “This report demonstrates the tremendous value of using data, predictive technologies and innovation to prevent fatalities on the job.”
Here are some key insights from the report:
- Suppliers that were fully compliant with established safety standards saw a 62% lower fatality rate than non-compliant suppliers (1.19 vs. 3.12), emphasizing the crucial role of prequalification and compliance processes.
- Suppliers that underwent more than three years of regular safety manual audits experienced a 15% improvement in fatality rates (0.45 vs. 0.53), demonstrating the importance of ongoing evaluation.
- Organizations involved in Avetta’s safety programs for more than 10 years had a 45% lower fatality rate than those with only 2-3 years of involvement (2.04 vs. 3.7), proving that consistent, long-term investment in safety pays off.
“While injury rates have steadily declined over the past decade, fatality rates remain unacceptably high,” Matin added. “Reversing this trend demands a long-term commitment to proactive, data-driven safety practices, going beyond compliance to build true resilience. We’re proud to be at the center of a community of businesses dedicated to raising the standard of safety by focusing on continuously improving.”
Avetta helps safe, secure and sustainable supply chains with technology, services and support, and through strategic partnerships with organizations like the NSC and American Society of Safety Professionals. The Avetta Safety Maturity Index, launched in 2024 and informed by NSC best practices, equips organizations to identify risk earlier, strengthen safety systems and reduce the likelihood of workplace fatalities and serious injuries more effectively.
A nonprofit safety advocate in America for over 110 years, NSC’s mission is to eliminate the leading causes of preventable death and injury, with core focus in the workplace and on roadways.
“At the National Safety Council, we know every single workplace fatality is preventable,” said Mark Chung, executive vice president of Safety Leadership and Advocacy at the NSC. “Research like the Avetta Insights and Impact Report, combined with data-driven solutions such as the NSC Consultative Safety Journey and the Avetta Safety Maturity Index, empower organizations to take meaningful, proactive steps toward eliminating injuries and saving lives.”