Number of injuries and illnesses with days away from work, 2003-2006
1,400,000
1,200,000
407,610
408,400
394,090
1,000,000
380,440
800,000
Goods-producing industries
Service-providing industries
600,000
908,310
400,000
Total injuries and illnesses
850,930
840,580
803,060
2003: 1,315,920
2004: 1,259,320
2005: 1,234,680
200,000
2006: 1,183,500
0
2003
2004
2005
2006
In 2006, injuries and illnesses with days away from work declined by 4.1 percent. Goods-producing
industries had a decline of 3.5 percent, while service-providing industries had a decline of 4.5 percent.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, cases involving days away from work.
Chart 1
Percent change in incidence rate of injuries and illnesses
by selected events and exposures, 2005-2006
Below average
improvement
Did not improve
Above average improvement
Repetitive motion
Fall on same level
Transportation accidents
Fall to lower level
Overexertion in lifting
Overexertion
All events or exposures -5.8%
Total
Slips, trips
Struck by object
Contact with object, equipment
Assaults, violent act, by person
Caught in object, equipment, material
Exposed to harmful substances
10.0%
5.0%
0.0%
-5.0%
-10.0%
-15.0%
-20.0%
Incidence rates for all events fell by 5.8 percent between 2005 and 2006. Repetitive motion fell by 15 percent; falls on same level fell by 11 percent. Slips, trips;
struck by object; and contact with object, equipment fell by less than the average. The incidence rates for assaults, violent act, by person; being caught in
object, equipment, material; and exposures to harmful substances increased from 2005 to 2006.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, cases involving days away from work.
Chart 2
Occupations with 20,000 or more injuries and illnesses, 2003-2006
100,000
90,000
80,000
2003
70,000
60,000
2004
2005
2006
50,000
40,000
30,000
20,000
10,000
C
ar
Li
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M
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ai
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er
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eg
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These 11 occupations have had 20,000 or more cases for the past 4 years. Light or delivery service truck drivers declined by 18 percent,
the largest percentage decline, followed by carpenters which declined by 11 percent, and janitors and cleaners which declined by 10 percent.
Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers had the largest number of injuries and illnesses.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, cases involving days away from work.
Chart 3
Number and incidence rate of injuries and
illnesses by occupation group, 2006
Service
Transportation and material moving
245,150
163
239,710
Production
301
171,030
Construction, extraction
189
149,910
Installation, maintenance, and repair
271
94,890
Office and administrative support
83,320
Professional and related
54
81,190
Sales and related
Number of injuries/illnesses
(Total = 1,183,500)
Management, business, and financial
Days away from work rate
(Private industry rate = 128)
58
76,210
Farming, fishing, and forestry
300,000
213
70
25,810
28
14,330
250,000
200,000
150,000
100,000
Number of injuries and illnesses
50,000
152
0
250
500
Incidence rate
(per 10,000 workers)
Transportation and material moving occupations have the highest incidence rate of occupation groups, at 301.
They also have the second-highest number of injuries and illnesses.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, cases involving days away from work.
Chart 4
Number and incidence rate for occupations with 20,000 or
more injuries and illnesses, 2006
Laborers and freight,
stock, and material movers
466
85,120
Heavy and tractor-trailer
truck drivers
411
66,040
Nursing aides, orderlies,
and attendants
526
49,480
Construction laborers
Retail salespersons
335
28,000
Light or delivery service
truck drivers
297
26,760
Number of injuries/illnesses
(Total = 1,183,500)
21,600
Days away from work rate
(Private industry rate = 128)
20,870
Registered nurses
100,000
248
28,260
Carpenters
Stock clerks
and order fillers
106
33,210
Janitors and cleaners
Maintenance and repair
workers, general
488
40,510
220
168
132
20,500
80,000
60,000
40,000
Number of injuries and illnesses
20,000
0
400
Incidence rate
(per 10,000 workers)
800
These eleven occupations have 20,000 or more cases of injuries and illnesses. Retail salespersons have a high number of injuries and illnesses, but only have
an incidence rate of 106 per 10,000 full-time workers, a lower rate than average. This is due to the large number of persons working as retail salespersons.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, cases involving days away from work.
Chart 5
Number and incidence rate of injuries and illnesses for
occupations with the highest incidence rate, 2006
Nursing aides, orderlies,
and attendants 526
Construction laborers
Laborers and freight, stock,
and material movers
Emergency medical technicians
and paramedics
49,480
488
40,510
466
85,120
454
5,070
Heavy and tractor-trailer
truck drivers
411
Roofers
410
Welders, cutters, solderers,
and brazers
66,040
4,300
363
Carpenters
335
Food servers, nonrestaurant
333
Mobile heavy equipment mechanics,
except engines
317
Industrial machinery mechanics
316
600
400
12,890
28,000
3,910
Number of injuries/illnesses
(Total = 1,183,500)
3,270
Days away from work rate
(Private industry rate = 128)
7,360
200
Incidence rate
(per 10,000 workers)
0
20,000
40,000
60,000
80,000
Number of injuries and illnesses
These eleven occupations have 1/10 of one percent of employment and an incidence rate of 300 or more. Laborers
and freight, stock, and material movers have the highest number of injuries and illnesses, but are third in terms
of incidence rates behind nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants; and construction laborers.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, cases involving days away from work.
Chart 6
Injuries and illnesses and employment
by industry domain, 2006
Goods
producing
21%
Goods
producing
32%
Service
providing
68%
Service
providing
79%
Injuries and illnesses with
days away from work
Employment
(BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages)
(Total injuries/illnesses =1,183,500)
Goods-producing industries made up 21 percent of private industry employment but accounted for 32 percent of injuries and illnesses with days away from
work. Service-providing industries made up 79 percent of employment and 68 percent of injuries and illnesses in 2006.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, cases involving days away from work.
Chart 7
Injuries and illnesses and hours worked
by gender of worker, 2006
Women
41%
Women
34%
Men
66%
Men
59%
Injuries and illnesses with
days away from work
Hours worked
(Current Population Survey,
Private Wage and Salary Workers)
(Total injuries/illnesses =1,183,500;
Chart excludes unreported data.)
Days away from work rate
Men: 143
Women: 106
Almost two-thirds of injured or ill workers were men in 2006, 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, cases involving days away from work.
Chart 8
Number of injuries and illnesses and percentage of cases
involving Hispanic or Latino workers by industry, 2006
9,670
27%
Construction
33,930
Professional and business services
16,510
15,230
24%
21%
Financial activities
31,220
20%
Manufacturing
3,350
15%
Other services
28,790
14%
Trade, transportation and utilities
14,400
20,000
12%
Education and health services
900
30,000
26%
Leisure and hospitality
4,770
40,000
55%
Natural resources and mining
10,000
Cases involving Hispanic or Latino workers
Information
0
11%
0%
20%
40%
60%
Percent of cases in industry involving
Hispanic or Latino workers
In 2006, there were 158,760 injuries and illnesses among Hispanic or Latino workers. Hispanic or Latino workers made up nearly 20 percent of injuries and
illnesses where race or ethnicity was reported. Race is not reported in nearly one-third of all cases.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, cases involving days away from work.
Chart 9
Median days away from work and incidence rate due to
injuries and illnesses by age of worker, 2006
65 and over
15
106
12
55 to 64
122
10
45 to 54
Age of
worker
124
7
35 to 44
132
6
25 to 34
Days away from work rate
(Total, all ages = 128)
20 to 24
4
Median days away from work
(Private industry median days = 7)
16 to 19
20
16
12
Median days away from work
126
143
4
8
134
4
0
100
Incidence rate
(per 10,000 workers)
200
Median days away from work is a key measure of severity of injuries and illnesses. Injuries and illnesses become more severe as age increases, from 4 days
away from work for workers aged 16 to 24 to 15 days for those workers 65 years old and older. The rate of injuries and illnesses are highest for younger
workers, and decline with age. Workers 65 and older had the lowest incidence rate at 106, while workers aged 20 to 24 had the highest incidence rate of 143.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, cases involving days away from work.
Chart 10
Injury and illness topology
Nature of
disabling
condition
Part of body
affected
A nursing aide
sprains
her
back
from
overexertion
in
patient
lifting
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, cases involving days away from work.
Chart 11
Distribution of injuries and illnesses by nature, 2006
Carpal tunnel syndrome, 1.1%
Heat burns, 1.5%
Amputations, 0.7%
Chemical burns, 0.6%
Tendonitis, 0.4%
Back pain, 3.0%
Multiple traumatic injuries, 3.9%
Soreness, pain, except back, 5.9%
Sprains, strains, 39.9%
Fractures, 8.0%
Bruises, contusions, 8.6%
Cuts, lacerations, punctures, 9.7%
All other, 16.8%
Sprains and strains accounted for 472,740 cases, or approximately 4 out of 10 of all nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses with days away from work in
2006. The incidence rate of sprains and strains decreased by 6 percent from 2005 to 2006. The rate of soreness, pain, except back increased by 4 percent.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, cases involving days away from work.
Chart 12
Median days away from work and incidence rate due to
injuries and illnesses by nature, 2006
Fractures
Carpal tunnel syndrome
28
10
27
Amputations
1
22
1
Tendonitis
14
Multiple injuries
1
5
10
Sprains, strains, tears
8
51
5
Heat burns
2
Bruises, contusions
4
Cuts, lacerations, and punctures
4
Chemical burns
40
12
3
30
20
10
Median days away from work
Days away from work rate
(Total, all natures = 128)
11
Median days away from work
(Private industry median days = 7)
1
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Incidence rate
(per 10,000 workers)
Fractures had the most median days away from work in 2006 with 28 days, followed by carpal tunnel syndrome with 27 days and amputation with 22 days.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, cases involving days away from work.
Chart 13
Distribution of injuries and illnesses by part of body, 2006
Neck, 1.5%
Body systems, 1.5%
Head, 7.0%
Upper extremities, 23.3%
Multiple body parts, 9.8%
Back, 21.2%
Lower extremities, 22.2%
Trunk, 34.0%
Upper extremities, lower extremities, and back each accounted for over one-fifth of all injuries and illnesses.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, cases involving days away from work.
Chart 14
Median days away from work and incidence rate due
to injuries and illnesses by part of body, 2006
Shoulder
8
16
Knee
14
Wrist
14
Lower extremities
Multiple body parts
10
5
28
10
13
9
Trunk
8
Foot, except toe
8
43
5
Upper extremities
7
Back
7
Neck
7
Toe
27
2
2
6
Hands, fingers
Days away from work rate
(Total, all parts = 128)
17
5
Body systems
Median days away from work
(Private industry median days = 7)
2
3
Head
20
30
9
2
10
Median days away from work
0
10
20
30
40
50
Incidence rate
(per 10,000 workers)
Injuries and illnesses to the shoulder (16 days), knee (14 days), and wrist (14 days) required the most time to recuperate in 2006.
These were at least twice the median time required for all parts.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, cases involving days away from work.
Chart 15
Distribution of injuries and illnesses by source, 2006
Floor, ground surfaces, 18.1%
All other, 20.7%
Health care patient, 4.4%
Worker motion or position, 13.8%
Handtools, 4.8%
Machinery, 6.5%
Containers, 12.4%
Vehicles,
8.6%
Parts and materials,
10.5%
Four sources accounted for over half of all nonfatal occupational injuries and illness that resulted in days away from work in 2006: floor, ground
surfaces with 18 percent; worker motion or position with 14 percent; containers with 12 percent; and parts and materials with 11 percent.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, cases involving days away from work.
Chart 16
Median days away from work and incidence rate due
to injuries and illnesses by source, 2006
Floors, walkways, ground surfaces
11
Worker motion or position
23
10
18
9
Vehicles
Containers
11
8
16
Parts and materials
7
Machinery
7
14
8
Health care patient
6
Furniture and fixtures
6
Tools, instruments, and equipment
9
3
Chemicals and chemical products
10
Median days away from work
(Private industry median days = 7)
5
5
15
Days away from work rate
(Total, all sources = 128)
6
5
Median days away from work
2
0
5
10
15
20
25
Incidence rate
(per 10,000 workers)
Of the sources of the injury or illness, floors, walkways, ground surfaces (11 days), worker motion or position (10 days),
and vehicles (9 days) had the highest median days away from work.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, cases involving days away from work.
Chart 17
Distribution of injuries and illnesses by event or exposure, 2006
Exposure to harmful substances, 4.8%
Transportation accidents, 4.7%
Falls, 19.8%
Assaults and violent acts, 1.9%
All other, 1.2%
Fires and explosions, 0.2%
Contact with objects and equipment, 28.3%
Bodily reaction and exertion, 39.0%
Bodily reaction and exertion, contact with objects and equipment, and falls accounted for nearly
9 out of 10 nonfatal injuries and illnesses that resulted in days away from work in 2006.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, cases involving days away from work.
Chart 18
Median days away from work and incidence rate due
to injuries and illnesses by event or exposure, 2006
Repetitive motion
19
4
14
Fall to lower level
8
Fires and explosions
10
Transportation accidents
10
0
6
Overexertion
9
Fall to same level
9
31
16
Overexertion in lifting
8
Caught in equipment or objects
8
16
6
7
Slips, trips, loss of balance-without fall
4
Struck against object
5
Assaults and violent acts by persons
5
9
Median days away from work
(Private industry median days = 7)
2
4
Struck by object
18
3
Exposure to harmful substances
30
Days away from work rate
(Total, all events or exposures = 128)
20
10
Median days away from work
6
0
10
20
30
40
Incidence rate
(per 10,000 workers)
Of the events shown, repetitive motion injuries and illnesses had the highest median days away from work, but had a
relatively low incidence rate. At 19 days, its median was more than double the median for all injuries and illnesses.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, cases involving days away from work.
Chart 19
Number of musculoskeletal disorders, 2002-2006
600,000
500,000
400,000
300,000
34.0% of
total cases
200,000
33.1% of
total cases
32.0% of
total cases
30.4% of
total cases
30.2% of
total cases
100,000
0
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
In 2006, musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) accounted for 357,160 cases, or 30 percent of the total injuries
and illnesses with days away from work. MSD cases decreased by almost 5 percent from 2005 to 2006.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, cases involving days away from work.
Chart 20
Distribution of musculoskeletal disorders by nature
of injury or illness, 2006
Back pain, hurt back, 6.1%
Soreness, pain, except back, 6.1%
Hernia, 4.7%
Carpal tunnel syndrome, 3.6%
Musculoskeletal system and connective
tissue diseases and disorders, except
tendonitis, 1.4%
Tendonitis, 1.1%
Sprains, strains, tears, 76.9%
Sprains, strains, and tears accounted for over three-fourths of the musculoskeletal disorders that resulted in days away from work in 2006.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, cases involving days away from work.
Chart 21
Number and incidence rate of injuries and illnesses due to
musculoskeletal disorders by selected occupations, 2006
Nursing aides, orderlies,
and attendants
Emergency medical technicians
and paramedics
27,590
293
3,040
272
Laborers and freight, stock,
and material movers
28,860
158
Plumbers, pipefitters,
and steamfitters
110
Heavy and tractor-trailer
truck drivers
108
Industrial machinery mechanics
102
Construction laborers
100
Light or delivery service
truck drivers
99
4,190
17,400
2,370
8,270
8,890
Maids and housekeeping
cleaners
91
Driver/sales workers
91
3,500
Welders, cutters, solderers,
and brazers
91
3,240
300
200
100
Incidence rate
(per 10,000 workers)
MSD cases
(Total = 357,160)
MSD Incidence rate
(Private industry MSD rate = 39)
6,630
79
Carpenters
400
5,830
0
5,000
10,000
15,000
20,000
25,000
30,000
35,000
Number of musculoskeletal disorder cases
The above occupations had 0.5 percent or more of total cases, and have more than twice the average MSD incidence rate.
Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants have 8 times the average rate of MSDs.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, cases involving days away from work.
Chart 22