In 2013, there were more than 3 million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses reported by private industrial employers in the United States, with an incidence rate of 3.3 cases per 100 full-time equivalent workers, according to estimates from the Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII) conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Of the more than 3.0 million non-fatal occupational injuries and illnesses recorded in 2013, nearly 2.9 million (94.9%) were injuries. The costs related to workplace accidents are also becoming a problem for industrial companies. Between 1998 and 2000, the direct cost of claims resulting from disabling occupational injuries and illnesses grew by 8.3% to $42.5 billion. The three leading causes of injury were responsible for 51% of direct costs in 2000, compared to 46% in 1998. The three leading causes of injury are overexertion (resulting in excessive lifting, pushing, pulling and throwing), falls and physical reactions (caused by climbing, bending and tripping). This document will explore the causes of occupational injuries and illnesses, the costs and ways to prevent workplace injuries. We will also review the latest data to determine whether injury and illness rates are changing. Workplace injuries can be classified based on the specific type of accident from which they resulted. The most common causes of workplace injuries are overexertion, impact accidents (where a worker is struck by or against an object), falls, physical reactions (to chemicals), compressions, motor vehicle accidents, exposure to radiation, chafing/abrasions, and exposure to extreme temperatures. Overexertion results from the employee working beyond their physical capabilities and is the leading cause of… middle of paper… It took the United States a long time to adopt a workplace safety environment that emphasizes planning and carrying out the work in the safest way possible. Injury prevention programs are based on proven studies widely used in the industry to make improvements in quality, environment, safety and healthcare performance. Effective accident prevention programs emphasize program ownership, employee participation, and a “find and fix” workplace hazards approach. OSHA believes that adopting an injury prevention program based on simple, sound, proven principles will help millions of U.S. businesses improve their compliance with existing laws and regulations, decrease the incidence of workplace injuries and illnesses, work, reduce costs (including a significant reduction in the number of workers' compensation premiums) and improve their overall business operations.