Occupations with the Most Injuries and Illnesses
with Days Away from Work, 2002
112.2
Truck drivers
79.0
Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants
76.6
Laborers, nonconstruction
Janitors and cleaners
42.0
Construction laborers
41.9
34.4
Assemblers
28.3
Carpenters
26.1
Supervisors and proprietors, sales
Cooks
24.7
Sales workers, other commodities
24.7
0
20,000
40,000
60,000
80,000
100,000
120,000
Injuries and Illnesses (thousands)
(1,436,194 injuries and illnesses that resulted in days away from work)
Truck drivers suffered the most injuries and illnesses with days away from work, followed by
nursing aides, orderlies and by laborers, nonconstruction.
SOURCE: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses.
Page 1
Percentages of Employment and Nonfatal Injuries and Illnesses
for Occupations with the Most Injuries and Illnesses, 2002
Percent
9
8
Percentage of injuries and illnesses
Percentage of employment (CPS)
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
ot Sa
he le
rc sw
om or
m ker
od s,
iti
es
C
oo
ks
S
rs
pr up
op er
rie vis
to ors
rs
, s an
al d
es
C
ar
pe
nt
e
Tr
uc
k
dr
iv
er
s
N
ur
s
or ing
de a
rli ide
es s
N
,
on
c
la ons
bo tr
re uct
rs io
n
Ja
n
cl itor
ea s
ne an
rs d
C
on
la s tr
bo uc
re tio
rs n
As
se
m
bl
er
s
0
Truck drivers, nursing aides and orderlies, nonconstruction laborers, janitors and cleaners, construction laborers,
assemblers, carpenters and other commodities sales workers experienced a higher percentage of injuries
and illnesses than their employment share. Sales supervisors and proprietors and cooks experienced a
lower percentage of injuries and illnesses than their employment share.
SOURCE: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses.
Page 2
Occupations with the Highest Median Days Away from Work, 2002
13
Truck drivers
Electricians
10
Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters
10
Industrial machinery repairers
10
Industrial truck and tractor equipment operators
10
Construction laborers
9
Carpenters
9
Bus, truck, and stationary engine mechanics
9
Assemblers
8
Driver-sales workers
8
Stock and inventory clerks
8
Heating, air conditioning, refrigeration mechanics
8
7
All occupations
0
2
4
6
8
10
Median days away from work
12
14
Of the occupations with at least 1/2% of the total days away from work cases, truck drivers had a median of 13 days.
Electricians; plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters; industrial machinery repairers; and industrial truck and tractor
equipment operators had a median of 10 days. This compared to a median of 7 days for all occupations.
SOURCE: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses.
Page 3
Employment and Nonfatal Injury and Illness
by Major Industry, 2002
Goods
producing
industries
Goods
producing
industries
20.7%
33.9%
79.3%
66.1%
Service
producing
industries
Injuries and Illnesses with
days away from work
(Total = 1,436,194 injuries and illnesses)
Service
producing
industries
Employment
(Current Employment Statistics,
Total private industry)
Good-producing industries make up about 20 percent of private industry employment but account for one-third of the
injuries and illnesses with days away from work while service producing industries make up about 80 percent of the
employment and two-thirds of the injuries and illnesses.
SOURCE: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses.
Page 4
Hours Worked and Nonfatal Injury and Illness
by Gender of Worker, 2002
Women
Women
34.9%
41.2%
58.8%
64.8%
Men
Men
Injuries and Illnesses with
days away from work
Hours worked
(Total = 1,436,194 injuries and illnesses)
(Current Population Survey,
Chart excludes unreported data.
Private Wage and Salary Workers)
Almost two-thirds of the injured or ill workers were men, well above their 59 percent share of the nation’s hours worked.
SOURCE: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses.
Page 5
Hours Worked and Nonfatal Injury and Illness
by Age of Worker, 2002
2.1%
1.8%
3.5%
2.7%
10.0%
10.4%
11.1%
21.3%
25.1%
28.0%
16 - 19
20 - 24
25 - 34
35 - 44
45 - 54
55 - 64
65+
10.3%
22.3%
24.3%
27.1%
Injuries and Illnesses with
days away from work
Hours worked
(Total = 1,436,194 injuries and illnesses)
(Current Population Survey,
Private Wage and Salary Workers)
Chart excludes unreported data.
A majority of injured or ill workers were 20 to 44 years old. Workers 20 to 44 had a slightly higher share of injuries and
illnesses, while workers 45 and older had a somewhat lower share, than each of their hours worked shares suggest.
SOURCE: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses.
Page 6
Median Days Away from Work Due to Nonfatal Occupational
Injury and Illness by Age of Worker, 2002
65 and over
12
55 to 64
12
10
45 to 54
8
35 to 44
Age of
worker
6
25 to 34
5
20 to 24
All ages
7 days
4
16 to 19
7
14 to 15
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
Median days away from work
Except for workers 14 to 15, the median days away from work due to nonfatal occupational injuries
and illnesses increased as the age of the worker increased.
SOURCE: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses.
Page 7
Nonfatal Occupational Injuries and Illnesses
by Length of Service, 2002
Not reported
0.9%
More than 5 years
29.4%
Less than 1 year
32.5%
1 to 5 years
37.2%
Less than 1 year
26.4%
More than 5 years
34.4%
1 to 5 years
39.2%
Injuries and Illnesses
Employment
(Total =1,436,194 injuries and illnesses)
(Current Population Survey,
Private Wage and Salary Workers
January 2002)
Workers who were with their employers for more than 5 years became injured or ill less often than
their employment share suggests.
SOURCE: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses.
Page 8
Employment and Nonfatal Injury and Illness
by Occupation, 2002
Precision
production,
craft and
repair 16.9%
Farming, forestry,
and fishing 2.5%
Operators,
fabricators,
and laborers
38.5%
Farming,
forestry, and
fishing 1.9%
Precision
production,
craft and
repair
11.4%
Operators,
fabricators,
and laborers
15.2%
Service
13.0%
Service
18.8%
Technical, sales,
and administrative
support 30.4%
Technical, sales,
and administrative
support 16.7%
Managerial
and
professional
28.0%
Nonclassified, less than .5%
Managerial and
professional 6.5%
Injuries and Illnesses
(Total =1,436,194 injuries and illnesses)
Employment
(Current Population Survey,
Private Wage and Salary Workers)
Operators, fabricators, and laborers accounted for almost 4 out of every 10 injuries and illnesses, well above
their employment share of 15%.
SOURCE: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Survey Occupational Injuries and Illnesses.
Page 9
Injury and Illness Topology
Nature of
disabling
condition
Part of body
affected
Nurse
sprains
her
back
while
lifting
her
patient
Source
directly
producing
disability
Event
or
exposure
Each injury or illness is
described from four viewpoints.
SOURCE: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses.
Page 10
Incidence rates of occupational injuries and illnesses involving days away from work
due to overexertion and contact with objects/equipment, 2002
43.1
43.1
Private industry
Agriculture, forestry,
and fishing
Goods
Producing
industries
33.3
63.1
53.6
Mining
57.2
Construction
42.9
Manufacturing
Transportation and
public utilities
97.0
59.5
74.2
57.3
52.3
47.3
Wholesale trade
Service
Producing
industries
84.0
40.6
43.5
Retail trade
Overexertion
Contact with objects/equipment
10.6
9.3
Finance, insurance,
and real estate
41.2
Services
24.2
0.0
20.0
40.0
60.0
80.0
100.0
Incidence rates 10,000 full-time workers
Even though both had the same incidence rate of 43.1, contacts with objects and equipment was the most prevalent
event in goods-producing industries while in service-producing industries overexertion was the most prevalent event.
SOURCE: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses.
Page 11
The Nature of the Disabling Condition,
Occupational Injuries and Illnesses with Days Away from Work, 2002
Carpal tunnel Heat burns
Back pain,
hurt back 3.2% syndrome 1.6%
1.5%
Tendonitis 0.6%
Multiple traumatic
Amputations 0.6%
Injuries 3.7%
Soreness, pain,
Chemical burns 0.6%
except back 4.9%
Fractures
6.9%
Bruises, contusions
8.8%
Sprains, strains, tears
43.0%
Cuts, lacerations
7.7%
Other
16.9%
Nature of Injury or Illness
(1,436,194 injuries and illnesses that resulted in days away from work)
Sprains and strains accounted for almost 620,000 cases or 43 percent
of all nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses.
SOURCE: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses.
Page 12
The Part of Body Affected,
Occupational Injuries and Illnesses with Days Away from Work, 2002
Percent
30.0
25.0
24.0
22.9
21.2
20.0
15.0
12.3
9.7
10.0
5.0
3.3
2.9
1.6
0.0
Back
Upper
extremities
Lower
extremities
Trunk,
except
back
Multiple
body
parts
Head,
except
eye
Eye
Neck
1.4
Body
systems
0.6
Other
The back was involved in almost one-fourth of all occupational injuries and illnesses.
SOURCE: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses.
Page 13
Nonfatal Occupational Injuries and Illnesses
by Source of Injury or Illness, 2002
Furniture,
Chemicals,
fixtures 3.6% chemical products 1.4%
Handtools
4.6%
Health care
patient 4.9%
Floor, ground
surfaces 17.8%
Machinery 6.4%
Vehicles 8.3%
Worker motion or
position 15.4%
Parts and
materials 10.3%
Other
13.8%
Containers
13.4%
Source of Injury or Illness
(1,436,194 injuries and illnesses that resulted in days away from work)
Four sources accounted for over half of all nonfatal injuries and illnesses that resulted in
days away from work: floor, ground surfaces 17.8%; worker motion or position 15.4%; containers 13.4%;
and parts and materials 10.3%.
SOURCE: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses.
Page 14
The Manner in Which the Disabling Condition Occurred,
Occupational Injuries and Illnesses with Days Away from Work, 2002
Percent
50
45
43.0
40
35
30
26.5
25
19.0
20
15
10
4.4
5
4.2
1.7
0
Bodily
reaction
and
exertion
Contact with
objects and
equipment
Falls
Transportation
accidents
Exposure
to harmful
substances
Assaults
and
violent
acts
0.2
1.0
Fires
and
explosions
Other
Bodily reaction and exertion, contact with objects and equipment, and falls
accounted for almost 90% on nonfatal injuries and illnesses
that resulted in days away from work.
SOURCE: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses.
Page 15
Median Days Away from Work Due to Nonfatal Occupational
Injury or Illness by Nature, 2002
30
Carpal tunnel syndrome
29
Fractures
26
Amputations
15
Tendonitis
9
Multiple traumatic injuries
7
Sprains, strains, tears
Heat burns
4
Bruises, contusions
4
All natures
7 days
3
Cuts, lacerations
2
Chemical burns
0
5
10
15
20
25
Median days away from work
30
35
Carpal tunnel syndrome had a median of 30 days away from work, followed by
fractures with 29 days and amputations with 26 days.
SOURCE: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses.
Page 16
Median Days Away from Work Due to Nonfatal Occupational
Injury or Illness by Part of Body, 2002
Wrist
15
Shoulder
15
14
Knee
10
Multiple parts
9
Lower extremities
8
Trunk
Foot, except toe
7
Upper extremities
7
Back
7
Neck
7
6
Toe
Finger
5
Hand, except finger
5
All parts of body
7 days
4
Body systems
Eye
2
Head
2
0
2
4
6
8
10
Median days away from work
12
14
16
Injuries and illnesses to the wrist (15 days), shoulder (15 days), and to the knee (14 days)
took the longest median time from which to recover.
SOURCE: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses.
Page 17
Median Days Away from Work Due to Nonfatal Occupational
Injury or Illness by Event or Exposure, 2002
23
Repetitive motion
14
Fall to lower level
Fires and explosions
12
Transportation accidents
12
9
Fall to same level
8
Overexertion in lifting
Slips, trips, loss of balance - without fall
7
Caught in equipment or object
7
Assaults and violent acts by person
5
Struck against object
5
Struck by object
5
All events
7 days
3
Exposure to harmful substances
0
5
10
15
20
25
Median days away from work
Repetitive motion, with a median of 23 days, resulted in the longest absences from work among the leading
events and exposures. Falls to a lower level, fires and explosions, transportation accidents, falls on same level,
overexertion in lifting, and overexertion also had medians above the national median.
SOURCE: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses.
Page 18
Median Days Away from Work Due to Nonfatal Occupational
Injury or Illness by Source, 2002
Worker motion or position
11
Vehicles
10
Floors, walkways, ground surfaces
10
Parts and materials
7
Machinery
7
Containers
7
Health care patient
Tools, instruments, and equipment
5
Furniture and fixtures
5
Chemicals and chemical products
0
All sources
7 days
6
3
2
4
6
8
10
12
Median days away from work
Of the source of the injury or illness, worker motion or position, vehicles, and
floors, walkways, ground surfaces had the longest absences from work.
SOURCE: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses.
Page 19
Musculoskeletal Disorders with Days Away from Work
by Nature of Injury or Illness, 2002
Carpal tunnel syndrome 4.6%
MSD system and connective tissue
disorders, except tendonitis 1.8%
Tendonitis 1.7%
Soreness, pain, except back 5.3%
Back pain, hurt back 6.3%
Hernia 4.5%
Sprains, strains, tears 75.8%
Nature of Injury or Illness
(487,915 MSD cases that resulted in days away from work)
Sprains, strains, and tears accounted for over three-fourths of the musculoskeletal disorders that resulted
in days away from work in 2002.
SOURCE: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses.
Page 20