Smaller companies see decline in workplace injuries and illnesses

The nation’s smallest companies had the fewest reports of workplace injuries and illnesses last year, with the occurrence rates for both falling for the second straight year, according to the Labor Department. A report issued by the department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics recently showed there were 1.4 injuries and illnesses per 100 workers at companies with up to 10 employees, down from 1.5 in 2014 and 1.7 in 2013.

Among companies with 11 to 49 workers, there were 2.8 reported injuries and illnesses per 100 workers, down from 2.9 in 2014 and 3.1 the previous year.

The highest rate of injuries and illnesses was at employers with 50 to 249 workers.

The government counted 3.7 reported incidents per 100 workers, but that was down from 3.9 in 2014 and 4.0 in 2013.

Service companies accounted for 75 percent of injuries and nearly 65 percent of workplace illnesses reported at all companies last year.

HELP FOR ACCELERATORS

The Small Business Administration is awarding $850,000 to 17 accelerators, organizations that help foster the growth of young companies. The businesses took part in the agency’s Growth Accelerator Fund Competition; each was awarded $50,000. They join 68 others that won awards earlier this year, bringing the amount of cash awarded to $4.25 million, the SBA said Monday.

The organizations are required to report to the SBA quarterly on the number of startups they have helped launch, the number of jobs created and corporations they have signed up to help sponsor companies.