T otal injuries and illnesses
CHART 2
In 2008, BLS implemented a new
method for calculating fatal work injury
rates. The new method uses hours
worked rather than employment.
7
The rate of fatal work injuries in
2008 was 3.7 per 100,000 full-time
equivalent workers, down from 4.0
in 2007.
Rate of fatal work injuries, per 100,000
full-time equivalent workers, 2005–08
Rate
5.0
4.2
Rates are expressed per 100,000
full-time equivalent workers. Additional
information on changes in the fatal
work injury rate methodology is found
on the Internet at http://www.bls.
gov/iif/oshnotice10.htm.
4.0
4.0
4.0
3.8
4.0
3.7
3.0
Estimates of total hours worked are
annual average estimates of total
employees at work multiplied by
average hours for civilians 16 years
and older from the Current Population
Survey (CPS). Workers under 16 years,
volunteer workers, and members of the
resident military are not included, in
order to maintain consistency with CPS
employment estimates.
2.0
1.0
0.0
2005
2006
 Employment-based rates
2007
2008
 Hours-based rates
NOTE: In 2005, BLS used only employment-based rates. Hours-based rates were phased in
in 2006, and employment-base rates were phased out in 2007.
SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, April 2010.
B U R E A U O F L A B O R S T AT I S T I C S • 2 0 0 8
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