2020 allowed lost-time claims by leading injury event

In 2020, the leading injury event was exposure to caustic, noxious, or allergenic substances. Over the past 10 years, overexertion has been the leading injury event and in 2020 made up 15 per cent of allowed lost-time claims.  Injuries caused by people being struck by objects or equipment as well as injuries caused by falls on the same level each made up 11 per cent.

In 2020, people working in non-hospital healthcare and social assistance as well as people in manufacturing were most likely to be injured by the five leading injury events. Overall, people working in assisting occupations in support of health services had the highest number of allowed lost-time injuries for two of five leading injury events. 

5.5 - 2020 leading injury event characteristics

Download as CSV
Leading Age Group Leading Industry Sector Leading Gender Leading Occupation Leading Nature of Injury Leading Source Leading Part of Body
Exposure to caustic, noxious, or allergenic substances 45-49 Non-hospital healthcare and social assistance Female Assisting occupations in support of health services Covid-19 Novel Coronavirus Infectious and parasitic agents Body systems
Overexertion 25-29 Non-hospital healthcare and social assistance Male Assisting occupations in support of health services Sprains and strains Containers, boxes, barrels, packages (pressurized, non pressurized) Lower back (lumbar, sacral, coccygeal regions)
Struck by objects or equipment 20-24 Manufacturing Male Trades helpers and labourers Cuts, lacerations, punctures Hand tools, non-powered Finger(s), fingernail(s)
Fall on same level 55-59 Manufacturing Female Motor vehicle and transit drivers Sprains and strains Structures (including walkways, floors and buildings) Multiple body parts
Bodily reaction 25-29 Manufacturing Male Motor vehicle and transit drivers Sprains and strains Persons (bodily motion or condition) Lower back (lumbar, sacral, coccygeal regions)
To view
Data Notations 2020
or historical and supplementary data, please go to Open Data Downloads.


Data in By the Numbers: 2020 WSIB Statistical Report may not match previously published results. This is due to factors such as data maturity, updated definitions and methodologies, and rounding. Data in By the Numbers is matured three months, with the exception of benefit payments, which represents cash paid during the year, to or on behalf of people injured at work and are not matured three months following year-end. Percentages may not add up due to rounding.