The majority of seriously
injured or ill workers in
2004 were 25 to 54 years
of age.
Workers 20 to 44 years had a slightly higher share of injuries and illnesses in
2004, while workers 45 years and older had a somewhat lower share, than
each of their hours-worked shares suggests.
Workers aged 65 years and older accounted for less than 2 percent of all
injuries and illnesses. About 84 percent of the cases among older workers
occurred in the service-providing industries.
The upper extremities were the part of body most often affected by work
incidents among employees aged 16 to 19 years. For each of the other age
groups, it was the trunk, including the back and shoulders.
Injuries and illnesses
30.0%
Hours worked
26.3% 26.2%
24.1% 24.0%
25.0%
23.0%
21.6%
20.0%
15.0%
11.3%
10.4%
10.2%
11.1%
10.0%
5.0%
3.0% 3.1%
1.9% 2.3%
0.0%
16 –19
20 –24
25 –34
35 –44
45 –54
55 –64
65 and older
Age of worker
1,259,320 injuries and illnesses
with days away from work
Hours worked
(Current Population Survey, Private
Wage and Salary Workers)
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, November 2005