Occupations with the Most Injuries and Illnesses
with Days Away from Work, 2003
Laborers and material movers
89,510
Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers
71,900
56,820
Nursing aides, orderlies, attendants
Construction laborers
41,620
Janitors and cleaners
35,660
Retail salespersons
35,420
Light or delivery service truck drivers
33,280
Carpenters
29,480
Stock clerks and order fillers
Registered nurses
0
26,520
20,650
20,000
40,000
60,000
80,000
100,000
Injuries and Illnesses
(1,315,920 injuries and illnesses that resulted in days away from work)
Laborers and material movers suffered the most injuries and illnesses with days away from work, followed by
heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers and nursing aides, orderlies and attendants.
SOURCE: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses.
Page 1
Shares of Employment and Nonfatal Injuries and Illnesses
for Occupations with the Most Injuries and Illnesses, 2003
10%
9%
8%
7%
Percentage of injuries and illnesses
Percentage of employment
6%
5%
4%
3%
2%
R
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Drivers/sales workers and truck drivers; laborers and material movers; nursing, psychiatric, and home health aides;
construction laborers, janitors and cleaners; carpenters; and stock clerks and order filers experienced a higher
percentage of injuries and illnesses than their employment share. Retail salespersons and registered nurses experienced
a lower percentage of injuries and illnesses than their employment share.
NOTE: CPS employment data was not available for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers; light or delivery service truck drivers; and
nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants. These occupations were included in higher level detail on this chart.
SOURCE: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses.
Page 2
Employment and Nonfatal Injuries and Illnesses
by Occupation Group, 2003
Management, Business, and Financial
13.0%
2.0%
16.6%
Professional and Related
6.6%
16.0%
Service
Sales and Related
Farming, Fishing, and Forestry
15.0%
8.1%
0.9%
1.2%
Percentage employment
Percentage injuries/illnesses
5.8%
Construction and Extraction
4.0%
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
11.5%
8.3%
8.8%
Production
14.3%
7.0%
Transportation and Material Moving
Not reported
12.9%
6.6%
Office and Administrative Support
21.3%
19.8%
0.3%
0.0%
5.0%
Total injuries and illnesses = 1,315,920
10.0%
15.0%
20.0%
25.0%
Employment - Current Population Survey,
Private Wage and Salary Workers)
Transportation and material movers; production workers; installation, maintenance, and repair workers; construction
and extraction workers, and service workers had a much higher share of injuries and illnesses
than their employment share would suggest.
SOURCE: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Survey Occupational Injuries and Illnesses.
Page 3
Occupations with the Highest Median Days Away from Work, 2003
Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers
14
Industrial machinery mechanics
12
Industrial truck and tractor operators
11
Light or delivery services truck drivers
11
Packers and packagers, hand
10
First-line supervisors/managers of construction
10
Driver/sales workers
10
Electricians
10
Assemblers and fabricators, all other
10
Home health aides
9
Construction laborers
9
All occupations
8
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
Median days away from work
14
16
Of the occupations with at least 1/2% of the total days away from work cases, heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers
had a median of 14 days. Industrial machinery mechanics had a median of 12 days. Industrial truck and tractor
operators and light or delivery services truck drivers each had a median of 11 days. This compared to a median of
8 days for all occupations.
SOURCE: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses.
Page 4
Employment and Nonfatal Injuries and Illnesses
by Major Industry, 2003
Goods
producing
industries
Goods
producing
industries
21.5%
31.0%
Service
producing
industries
78.5%
69.0%
Injuries and Illnesses with
days away from work
Service
producing
industries
Employment
(BLS- Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages)
(Total = 1,315,920 injuries and illnesses)
Good-producing industries make up about 21 percent of private industry employment but account for 31 percent of the
injuries and illnesses with days away from work while service producing industries make up about 79 percent of the
employment and 69 percent of the injuries and illnesses.
SOURCE: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses.
Page 5
Hours Worked and Nonfatal Injuries and Illnesses
by Gender of Worker, 2003
Women
Women
35.0%
41.4%
65.0%
58.6%
Men
Men
Injuries and Illnesses with
days away from work
Hours worked
(Total = 1,315,920 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 6
Hours Worked and Nonfatal Injuries and Illnesses
by Age of Worker, 2003
3.3%
1.9%
10.2%
11.1%
21.9%
24.2%
2.3%
16 - 19
20 - 24
25 - 34
35 - 44
45 - 54
55 - 64
65+
10.7%
(Total = 1,315,920 injuries and illnesses)
Chart excludes unreported data.
10.3%
22.6%
27.5%
Injuries and Illnesses with
days away from work
3.2%
24.3%
26.6%
Hours worked
(Current Population Survey,
Private Wage and Salary Workers)
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 7
Median Days Away from Work Due to Nonfatal Occupational
Injury and Illness by Age of Worker, 2003
65 and over
18
55 to 64
12
11
45 to 54
35 to 44
Age of
worker
9
25 to 34
6
20 to 24
All ages
median
5
4
16 to 19
14 to 15
3
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
Median days away from work
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 8
Nonfatal Occupational Injuries and Illnesses
by Length of Service, 2003
Not reported
0.7%
More than 5 years
30.6%
Less than 1 year
23.0%
Less than 1 year
32.1%
More than 5 years
45.8%
1 year to 5 years
31.2%
1 to 5 years
36.6%
Injuries and Illnesses
Employment
(Total =1,315,920 injuries and illnesses)
(Current Population Survey,
Private Wage and Salary Workers
January 2004)
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 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
contact with objects/equipment, falls to same level, and overexertion, 2003
Private industry
Goods producing
Natural resources and mining
Construction
Manufacturing
Service providing
Contact with objects/equipment
Trade, transportation, and utilities
Fall to same level
Information
Overexertion
Financial activities
Professional and business services
Education and health services
Leisure and hospitality
Other services
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Incidence rates represent the number of injuries and illnesses involving days away from work per 10,000 full-time workers
In goods producing industries, contact with objects and equipment and overexertion were the leading causes
of injuries and illnesses. In service providing industries, these same two events along with falls to the
same level were the leading causes.
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, 2003
Carpal tunnel syndrome
1.7%
Tendonitis
0.6%
Multiple injuries
3.6%
Soreness, pain, except back
5.0%
Back pain
2.8%
Amputations
0.6%
Chemical burns
0.6%
Heat burns
1.5%
All other
16.0%
Bruises, contusions
9.0%
Cuts, lacerations, punctures
8.4%
Sprains, strains
42.9%
Fractures
7.2%
Nature of Injury or Illness
(1,315,920 injuries and illnesses that resulted in days away from work)
Sprains and strains accounted for 563,910 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, 2003
Percent
25.0%
23.1%
22.7%
21.2%
20.0%
15.0%
12.8%
9.9%
10.0%
5.0%
3.6%
2.8%
1.6%
1.4%
Neck
Body
systems
0.8%
0.0%
Back
Upper
extremities
Lower
extremities
Trunk,
except
back
Multiple
body
parts
Head,
except
eye
Eye
Other
The back and the upper extremities were involved in almost one-half 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, 2003
All other
14.5%
Chemicals, chemical products
1.5%
Containers
13.1%
Furniture, fixtures
3.6%
Health care patient
4.8%
Machinery
6.2%
Vehicles
8.3%
Parts and materials
9.6%
Handtools
4.4%
Floor, ground surfaces
18.8%
Worker motion or position
15.4%
Source of Injury or Illness
(1,315,920 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 18.8%; worker motion or position 15.4%; containers 13.1%;
and parts and materials 9.6%.
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, 2003
45%
42.1%
40%
35%
30%
26.0%
25%
20.2%
20%
15%
10%
4.4%
5%
4.2%
1.7%
0.2%
1.2%
0%
Bodily
reaction
and
exertion
Contact with
objects and
equipment
Falls
Transportation
accidents
Exposure
to harmful
substances
Assaults
and
violent
acts
Fires
and
explosions
Other
Bodily reaction and exertion, contact with objects and equipment, and falls accounted for almost 90% of
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
Injuries or Illnesses by Nature, 2003
Carpal tunnel syndrome
32
Amputations
30
Fractures
30
Tendonitis
11
Multiple injuries
9
Sprains, strains, tears
8
Heat burns
5
Bruises, contusions
4
Cuts, lacerations
4
Chemical burns
All natures
8 days
2
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
Median days away from work
Carpal tunnel syndrome had a median of 32 days away from work, followed by
amputations and fractures with 30 days each.
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
Injuries or Illnesses by Part of Body, 2003
Shoulder
18
Wrist
17
Knee
14
Multiple parts
10
Lower extremities
9
Trunk
9
Neck
8
Foot, except toe
7
Upper extremities
7
Back
7
Toe
6
Finger
5
Hand, except finger
5
Body systems
All parts of body
8 days
4
Eye
2
Head
2
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
Median days away from work
14
16
18
20
Injuries and illnesses to the shoulder (18 days), wrist (17 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
Injuries or Illnesses by Event or Exposure, 2003
Repetitive motion
22
Fall to lower level
15
Transportation accidents
14
Fires and explosions
10
Overexertion
10
Overexertion in lifting
9
Fall to same level
9
Slips, trips, loss of balance - without fall
8
Caught in equipment
8
Assaults and violent acts by person
5
Struck against object
5
Struck by object
5
Exposure to harmful substances
All events
8 days
3
0
5
10
15
20
25
Median days away from work
Repetitive motion, with a median of 22 days, resulted in the longest absences from work among the leading
events and exposures. Falls to a lower level with 15 days and transportation accidents with 14 days had the next longest
median days away from work.
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
Injuries or Illnesses by Source, 2003
Worker motion or position
12
Vehicles
11
Floors, walkways, ground surfaces
10
Containers
9
Parts and materials
7
Machinery
7
Health care patient
All sources
8 days
6
Tools, instruments, and equipment
5
Furniture and fixtures
5
Chemicals and chemical products
3
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
Median days away from work
Of the source of the injury or illness, worker motion or position; vehicles; floors, walkways, ground surfaces; and
containers had medians higher than the national median days away 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, 2003
Back pain, hurt back 5.4%
Soreness, pain, hurt, except the back 5.0%
Carpal tunnel syndrome 5.1%
Hernia 4.8%
MSD system and connective
tissue diseases and disorders,
except tendonitis 2.0%
Sprains, strains, tears 76.1%
Tendonitis 1.5%
Nature of Injury or Illness
(435,180 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 2003.
SOURCE: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses.
Page 20