It’s one of occupational safety’s greatest ironies – the professionals who care for the ill and injured are themselves among the most likely to become sick or hurt on the job.

On Jan. 27, the Boca Raton, FL-based health care staffing agency Medical Staffing Network released a new infographic depicting this unfortunate fact. Injured and ill health care workers account for more than 20 percent of all injured and ill workers in the country, according to the data compiled by MSN, and they suffer an injury rate 3 times that of the private industry average.

Health care workers face many types of hazards throughout the day, such as sharp medical instruments, ergonomics issues and violence. Two weeks ago, OSHA issued a web resource to help improve safety and health for hospital workers, who make up a number of the workers injured in the health care industry.

The stats included in the infographic are staggering – and disappointing. Here’s hoping the appropriate steps are taken so professionals who take it upon themselves to care for individuals in need don’t sacrifice life and limb in the process.