New s United States

Department

of Labor

Bureau of Labor Statistics Washington, D.C. 20212

Technical information: (202) 606-6170 USDL 99-102

Media information: (202) 606-5902 For release: 10:00 A.M.EDT

Internet address: http://stats.bls.gov/oshhome.htm Thursday, April 22, 1999

LOST-WORKTIME INJURIES AND ILLNESSES: CHARACTERISTICS

AND RESULTING TIME AWAY FROM WORK, 1997

A total of 1.8 million injuries and illnesses that required recuperation away from

work beyond the day of the incident were reported in private industry workplaces during

1997, according to a survey by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U. S. Department of Labor.

Such cases have declined in all occupations from 1993 through 1997. (Table A presents

the number of injuries and illnesses requiring recuperation away from work in the past 5

years for the 10 occupations that accounted for nearly one-third of such cases in 1997.)

Truck drivers experienced the largest number of injuries and illnesses with time away

from work in all 5 years. Although the overall number of these injuries and illnesses

declined by nearly 50,000 cases from 1996 to 1997, injuries and illnesses for three

occupations—construction laborers, carpenters, and welders and cutters--increased.

Table A. Number of occupational injuries and illnesses (in 1,000s)

involving time away from work for selected occupations, 1993 - 1997

1993 1994 1995 1996 1997

All occupations 2,252.6 2,236.6 2,040.9 1,880.5 1,833.4

Truck drivers 154.7 163.8 151.3 152.8 145.5

Laborers, nonconstruction 146.3 147.3 115.5 108.5 106.9

Nursing aides, orderlies 103.9 101.8 100.6 93.6 91.3

Janitors and cleaners 62.1 60.6 52.6 46.9 45.8

Construction laborers 54.6 55.7 43.5 43.7 45.8

Assemblers 46.8 53.0 55.5 44.0 44.3

Carpenters 34.8 37.4 35.0 33.5 37.1

Cooks 42.5 36.3 35.4 30.7 31.5

Stock handlers and baggers 39.5 37.2 34.7 31.9 29.2

Welders and cutters 29.4 29.4 29.9 26.1 28.4

Four out of 10 injuries and illnesses resulting in time away from work in 1997

were sprains or strains, most often involving the back, as in the preceding 4 years. The

number of sprains or strains cases declined by nearly 17 percent from 1993 to 1997,

slightly less than the decline for all cases (19 percent).
Table B. Number of occupational injuries and illnesses (in 1,000s)

involving time away from work by selected nature of injury and illness,

1993 – 1997

1993 1994 1995 1996 1997

Sprains, strains 959.2 963.5 876.8 819.7 799.0

Bruises, contusions 211.2 212.0 192.1 174.9 165.8

Cuts, lacerations 169.9 164.6 153.2 133.2 133.6

Fractures 136.5 138.5 124.6 120.5 119.5

Heat burns 37.7 37.3 36.1 29.0 30.0

Carpal tunnel syndrome 41.0 38.3 31.5 29.9 29.2

Tendonitis 25.0 25.2 22.1 17.4 18.0

Chemical burns 15.7 16.5 13.9 11.6 12.2

Amputations 11.3 12.2 11.3 10.2 10.9

Worker and case characteristics

Worker characteristics detail the demographics of the injured or ill worker by

providing not only the occupation but also the gender and age of the worker, occupational

group, length of service with employer at the time of the incident, and race or ethnic

origin (tables 1 and 2). Following are highlights of the 1997 findings for these worker

traits:

*Men accounted for two out of three of the 1.8 million cases, a proportion

somewhat higher than their share (55 percent) of private wage and salary workers.

*Workers aged 19 and under accounted for 3 percent of the cases and 6 percent of

employment; 45 percent of injuries and illnesses to these young workers occurred

in retail trade. Workers aged 25 to 44 accounted for 57 percent of the cases and

53 percent of employment; and workers aged 45 and over accounted for 26

percent of the cases and 30 percent of employment.

*Operators, fabricators, and laborers led all other occupational groups, accounting

for 42 percent of the case total. This group includes 6 of the 10 individual jobs

with the largest number of lost worktime cases—truck drivers; laborers,

nonconstruction; construction laborers; assemblers; stock handlers and baggers;

and welders and cutters. Together, these six occupations accounted for 400,000

injuries and illnesses (table 3).

*Nearly 7 out of 10 workers had at least a year of service with their employer

when they sustained their injury or illness. Indeed, over a fourth had over 5 years

of service, suggesting that many experienced workers incur lost worktime

injuries.

Case characteristics help identify the disabling condition resulting from the lost

worktime case and how the event or exposure occurred. The survey contains four

characteristics to describe each disabling injury or illness (tables 4 through 6). To
illustrate, consider an injury to a nursing aide who sprains her back while lifting a patient.

The nature, or physical effect, is a sprain or strain; the part of body affected, her back; the

event, overexertion while lifting; and the source, the health care patient. Of the four

characteristics, only the source changes when coding a similar incident for a truck driver

who sprains his back trying to lift a box. Following are highlights of the 1997 findings

for these case characteristics:

*Sprain and strain was, by far, the leading nature of injury and illness in every

major industry division, ranging from 32 percent in agriculture, forestry, and

fishing to 52 percent in transportation and public utilities.

*The trunk, including the back, was the body part most affected by disabling

work incidents in every major industry division. Most other injuries and illnesses

were to upper or lower extremities.

*No one source of injury or illness stood out, although the following three had

nearly 15 percent each of the case total: floors and other surfaces, worker motion

or position, and containers.

*Overexertion while maneuvering objects led all other disabling events or

exposures, cited in a sixth to a third of the cases in every major industry division.

Injury and illness severity

Besides identifying high risk situations, the survey also helps focus on those kinds

of injuries and illnesses resulting in the lengthiest absences from work (tables 7 through

10). Median days away from work—the key survey measure of severity—designates the

point at which half the cases involved more days and half involved fewer days. The

median number of lost workdays for all cases was 5 days in 1997, with a fourth of the

cases resulting in 21 days or more away from work. The survey also found the following

patterns:

*Among major disabling injuries and illnesses, median days away from work

were highest for carpal tunnel syndrome (25 days), fractures (21 days), and

amputations (18 days).

*Repetitive motion, such as grasping tools, scanning groceries, and typing,

resulted in the longest absences from work among the leading events and

exposures—a median of 17 days.

*Truck drivers had the highest median days away from work (9 days), followed

by carpenters, plumbers and pipe fitters, public transportation attendants, and

butchers and meat cutters (each with 8 days).
Technical note

The Bureau of Labor Statistics has reported annually on the number of daysaway-from-work injuries and illnesses in private industry and the rate of such incidents

since the early 1970s. The 1997 national survey marks the sixth year that BLS has

collected additional detailed information on such cases in the form of worker and case

characteristics data, including workdays lost, summarized in this release.

The number and frequency (incidence rates) of these cases are based on logs and

other records kept by private industry employers throughout the year. These records

reflect not only the year’s injury and illness experience but also the employer’s

understanding of which cases are work related under current recordkeeping guidelines of

the U.S. Department of Labor. The number of injuries and illnesses reported in a given

year also can be influenced by changes in the level of economic activity, working

conditions and work practices, worker experience and training, and the number of hours

worked.

The survey continues to measure the number of new work-related illness cases

which are recognized, diagnosed, and reported each year. In 1997, 86,900 of the 1.8

million cases with days away from work were classified as illnesses. Some conditions,

e.g., long-term latent illnesses caused by exposure to carcinogens, often are difficult to

relate to the workplace and are not adequately recognized and reported. These long-term

latent illnesses are believed to be understated in the survey. In contrast, the

overwhelming majority of the reported new illnesses are those which are easier to

directly relate to workplace activity (e.g., contact dermatitis or carpal tunnel syndrome).

The Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses is a Federal/State program

(50/50 funded) in which employer reports are collected from about 165,000 private

industry establishments and processed by state agencies cooperating with the Bureau of

Labor Statistics. Occupational injury and illness data for coal, metal, and nonmetal

mining and for railroad activities were provided by the Department of Labor’s Mine

Safety and Health Administration and the Department of Transportation’s Federal

Railroad Administration. The survey excludes all fatalities at work and work-related

nonfatal injuries and illnesses to the self employed; workers on farms with fewer than 11

employees; private household workers; and employees in federal, state, and local

government agencies.

The survey estimates of the characteristics of cases with days away from work are

based on a scientifically selected probability sample, rather than a census of the entire

population. Two levels of sampling were used. First, establishments were selected to

represent themselves and, in many instances, other establishments of like industry and

workforce size that were not selected that survey year. Then, sampled establishments

projected to have large numbers of days away from work cases were instructed before the

survey began on how to sample those cases to minimize the burden of their response.
Because the data are based on a sample survey, the injury and illness estimates

probably differ from the figures that would be obtained from all units covered by the

survey. To determine the precision of each estimate, a standard error is calculated. The

standard error defines a range (confidence interval) around the estimate. The

approximate 95-percent confidence interval is the estimate plus or minus twice the

standard error. The standard error also can be expressed as a percent of the estimate, or

the relative standard error. For example, the 95-percent confidence interval for an

incidence rate of 6.5 per 100 full-time workers with a relative standard error of 1.0

percent would be 6.5 plus or minus 2 percent (2 times 1.0 percent) or 6.37 to 6.63. One

can be 95 percent confident that the “true” incidence rate falls within the confidence

interval. The 1997 incidence rate for all occupational injuries and illnesses of 7.1 per

100 full-time workers in private industry has an estimated relative standard error of about

0.8 percent. A relative standard error was calculated for each estimate from the survey

and will be published in a BLS bulletin that is scheduled to be available later in 1999.

The data also are subject to nonsampling error. The inability to obtain detailed

information about all cases in the sample, mistakes in recording or coding the data, and

definitional difficulties are general examples of nonsampling error in the survey.

Although not measured, nonsampling errors will always occur when statistics are

gathered. However, BLS has implemented quality assurance procedures to reduce

nonsampling error in the survey, including a rigorous training program for State coders

and a continuing effort to encourage survey participants to respond fully and accurately

to all survey elements.

Establishments are classified in industry categories based on the 1987 Standard

Industrial Classification (SIC) Manual, as defined by the Office of Management and

Budget. The four case characteristics used to describe lost worktime injury and illness

are based on definitions and rules of selection stipulated in the 1992 BLS Occupational

Injury and Illness Classification System. The occupation of the injured or ill worker is

based on the 1990 Occupational Classification System developed by the Bureau of the

Census.
TABLE 1. Number of nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses involving days away from work1 by selected worker characteristics

and industry division, 1997

(In thousands)

Characteristic Private

industry 2

Goods producing Service producing

Agriculture,

forestry,

and

fishing 2

Mining 3 Construction

Manufacturing

Transportation and

public

utilities 3

Wholesale

trade

Retail

trade

Finance,

insurance,

and real

estate

Services

Total cases ...................................... 1,833.4 40.5 18.1 189.8 446.1 220.6 138.2 313.9 42.7 423.4

Sex:

Male .............................................. 1,209.1 32.8 17.8 183.7 332.6 171.6 117.5 172.2 21.0 159.9

Female .......................................... 605.6 7.4 .3 5.4 110.5 42.8 20.0 136.7 21.6 260.9

Age:4

14 to 15 ......................................... .3 – – – 5 ( ) – – .1 5 ( ) .1

16 to 19 ......................................... 59.7 1.3 .4 3.8 9.2 3.7 3.3 27.0 .7 10.4

20 to 24 ......................................... 208.1 6.8 2.0 23.9 48.0 20.2 15.2 47.5 3.0 41.5

25 to 34 ......................................... 532.8 12.9 5.0 64.0 127.3 64.4 44.5 85.0 10.6 119.0

35 to 44 ......................................... 517.8 10.0 4.9 58.5 130.5 66.1 40.7 73.6 12.6 121.0

45 to 54 ......................................... 314.2 5.8 4.2 23.9 83.1 44.0 22.0 44.2 9.1 78.0

55 to 64 ......................................... 134.7 1.9 1.0 10.2 36.4 15.9 8.8 20.7 3.9 36.0

65 and over ................................... 22.4 .4 5 ( ) .9 3.3 1.4 1.5 5.6 1.3 8.1

Occupation:

Managerial and professional

specialty ...................................... 98.5 .6 .3 1.8 7.0 3.1 5.2 11.4 5.2 63.8

Technical, sales, and

administrative support ................. 271.7 1.0 .4 2.7 25.8 29.9 23.4 102.3 17.5 68.6

Service .......................................... 315.0 .4 5 ( ) .6 9.3 11.2 2.0 79.5 9.6 202.4

Farming, forestry, and fishing ........ 48.0 32.2 5 ( ) .9 3.9 .4 1.1 1.5 2.6 5.6

Precision production, craft, and

repair ........................................... 310.4 1.2 9.8 113.7 74.5 26.4 17.3 32.6 4.7 30.2

Operators, fabricators, and

laborers ....................................... 775.3 4.7 7.2 69.3 320.8 148.9 88.4 84.2 2.5 49.3

Length of service with employer:

Less than 3 months ....................... 236.5 8.6 4.3 37.7 51.0 18.7 17.2 46.8 3.9 48.3

3 to 11 months .............................. 328.2 8.9 3.7 40.8 70.7 27.7 24.2 66.8 6.4 79.1

1 to 5 years ................................... 581.5 12.4 4.4 63.5 137.1 55.4 47.2 103.4 14.4 143.8

More than 5 years ......................... 479.7 7.4 4.5 32.2 145.3 68.2 36.5 62.4 14.0 109.2

Not reported .................................. 207.3 3.2 1.2 15.6 42.0 50.7 13.1 34.5 3.9 43.1

Race or ethnic origin:

White, non-Hispanic ...................... 966.3 16.2 6.1 123.8 251.5 89.8 82.1 163.2 21.9 211.6

Black, non-Hispanic ...................... 163.8 1.7 .4 9.1 37.7 17.4 13.2 23.1 3.6 57.7

Hispanic ........................................ 187.2 16.2 1.9 22.5 46.5 10.5 16.5 27.5 5.2 40.5

Asian or Pacific Islander ................ 31.0 .8 – 1.7 6.8 2.7 2.2 6.4 .8 9.5

American Indian or Alaskan

Native .......................................... 7.6 .3 .1 1.3 1.6 .7 .3 1.2 .2 1.9

Not reported .................................. 477.5 5.3 9.6 31.4 102.0 99.5 23.8 92.6 10.9 102.2

1 Days-away-from-work cases include those which result in days away

from work with or without restricted work activity. 2 Excludes farms with fewer than 11 employees. 3 Data conforming to OSHA definitions for mining operators in coal, metal,

and nonmetal mining and for employers in railroad transportation are provided

to BLS by the Mine Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of

Labor; and by the Federal Railroad Administration, U.S. Department of

Transportation. Independent mining contractors are excluded from the coal,

metal, and nonmetal industries. 4 Information is not shown separately in this release for injured workers

under age 14; they accounted for fewer than 50 cases. 5 Fewer than 50 cases

NOTE: Dashes indicate data that are not available. Because of rounding

and nonclassifiable responses, data may not sum to the totals. 

SOURCE: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor 
TABLE 2. Percent distribution of nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses involving days away from work1 by selected worker

characteristics and industry division, 1997

Characteristic Private

industry 2

Goods producing Service producing

Agriculture,

forestry,

and

fishing 2

Mining 3 Construction

Manufacturing

Transportation and

public

utilities 3

Wholesale

trade

Retail

trade

Finance,

insurance,

and real

estate

Services

Total [1,833,380 cases] ................... 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0

Sex:

Male .............................................. 65.9 81.1 98.4 96.8 74.6 77.8 85.0 54.9 49.1 37.8

Female .......................................... 33.0 18.4 1.6 2.8 24.8 19.4 14.4 43.6 50.7 61.6

Age:4

14 to 15 ......................................... 5 () – – – 5 () – – 5 ( ) 5 ( ) 5 ( )

16 to 19 ......................................... 3.3 3.3 2.0 2.0 2.1 1.7 2.4 8.6 1.6 2.5

20 to 24 ......................................... 11.3 16.9 11.1 12.6 10.8 9.2 11.0 15.1 7.1 9.8

25 to 34 ......................................... 29.1 32.0 27.5 33.7 28.5 29.2 32.2 27.1 24.9 28.1

35 to 44 ......................................... 28.2 24.6 26.9 30.8 29.3 29.9 29.5 23.4 29.6 28.6

45 to 54 ......................................... 17.1 14.2 23.0 12.6 18.6 19.9 15.9 14.1 21.3 18.4

55 to 64 ......................................... 7.3 4.6 5.8 5.4 8.2 7.2 6.3 6.6 9.1 8.5

65 and over ................................... 1.2 .9 .3 .5 .7 .6 1.1 1.8 3.0 1.9

Occupation:

Managerial and professional

specialty ...................................... 5.4 1.4 1.8 1.0 1.6 1.4 3.7 3.6 12.3 15.1

Technical, sales, and

administrative support ................. 14.8 2.5 2.5 1.4 5.8 13.6 17.0 32.6 40.9 16.2

Service .......................................... 17.2 1.1 .1 .3 2.1 5.1 1.5 25.3 22.5 47.8

Farming, forestry, and fishing ........ 2.6 79.4 .1 .4 .9 .2 .8 .5 6.0 1.3

Precision production, craft, and

repair ........................................... 16.9 3.1 54.5 59.9 16.7 12.0 12.5 10.4 10.9 7.1

Operators, fabricators, and

laborers ....................................... 42.3 11.7 39.6 36.5 71.9 67.5 63.9 26.8 6.0 11.6

Length of service with employer:

Less than 3 months ....................... 12.9 21.3 23.8 19.9 11.4 8.5 12.4 14.9 9.2 11.4

3 to 11 months .............................. 17.9 22.0 20.4 21.5 15.8 12.5 17.5 21.3 15.1 18.7

1 to 5 years ................................... 31.7 30.6 24.1 33.4 30.7 25.1 34.1 32.9 33.8 34.0

More than 5 years ......................... 26.2 18.3 24.9 17.0 32.6 30.9 26.4 19.9 32.8 25.8

Not reported .................................. 11.3 7.8 6.9 8.2 9.4 23.0 9.5 11.0 9.1 10.2

Race or ethnic origin:

White, non-Hispanic ...................... 52.7 40.0 33.8 65.2 56.4 40.7 59.4 52.0 51.3 50.0

Black, non-Hispanic ...................... 8.9 4.1 2.3 4.8 8.4 7.9 9.6 7.4 8.4 13.6

Hispanic ........................................ 10.2 39.9 10.4 11.9 10.4 4.8 11.9 8.7 12.3 9.6

Asian or Pacific Islander ................ 1.7 2.1 – .9 1.5 1.2 1.6 2.0 1.9 2.2

American Indian or Alaskan

Native .......................................... .4 .7 .3 .7 .4 .3 .2 .4 .6 .5

Not reported .................................. 26.0 13.2 53.2 16.6 22.9 45.1 17.3 29.5 25.6 24.1

1 Days-away-from-work cases include those which result in days away

from work with or without restricted work activity. 2 Excludes farms with fewer than 11 employees. 3 Data conforming to OSHA definitions for mining operators in coal, metal,

and nonmetal mining and for employers in railroad transportation are provided

to BLS by the Mine Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of

Labor; and by the Federal Railroad Administration, U.S. Department of

Transportation. Independent mining contractors are excluded from the coal,

metal, and nonmetal industries. 4 Information is not shown separately in this release for injured workers

under age 14; they accounted for fewer than 50 cases. 5 Less than 0.1 percent

NOTE: Dashes indicate data that are not available. Because of rounding

and nonclassifiable responses, percentages may not add to 100. 

SOURCE: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor 
TABLE 3. Number of nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses involving days away from work1 by selected occupation and

industry division, 1997

(In thousands)

Occupation Private

industry 2

Goods producing Service producing

Agriculture,

forestry,

and

fishing 2

Mining 3 Construction

Manufacturing

Transportation and

public

utilities 3

Wholesale

trade

Retail

trade

Finance,

insurance,

and real

estate

Services

Total cases ...................................... 1,833.4 40.5 18.1 189.8 446.1 220.6 138.2 313.9 42.7 423.4

Truck drivers ................................... 145.5 1.1 .7 6.0 12.1 77.7 24.1 15.6 .4 7.9

Laborers, nonconstruction ............... 106.9 .9 1.9 – 36.0 9.4 28.2 16.9 1.4 12.3

Nursing aides, orderlies .................. 91.3 – – – 4 ( ) – – – .4 90.9

Janitors and cleaners ...................... 45.8 .3 4 ( ) .6 7.7 1.2 1.1 6.3 6.1 22.5

Construction laborers ...................... 45.8 – – 44.3 .1 .3 .1 – 4 ( ) .9

Assemblers ..................................... 44.3 – 4 ( ) .5 37.2 .3 2.8 1.4 – 2.2

Carpenters ...................................... 37.1 – 4 ( ) 29.7 2.9 .1 .7 1.1 .6 1.9

Cooks .............................................. 31.5 – – – .3 .1 – 21.5 .1 9.4

Stock handlers and baggers ........... 29.2 – 4 ( ) – 1.3 .2 2.8 24.6 – .2

Welders and cutters ........................ 28.4 .1 .3 1.9 22.4 .8 1.4 .1 .2 1.3

Registered nurses ........................... 27.3 – – – – – – – .1 27.0

Supervisors and proprietors ............ 26.5 – – – .8 – 3.9 20.1 .5 1.0

Cashiers .......................................... 25.9 – – – .1 .1 .3 23.1 .3 2.0

Sales workers, other commodities .. 25.4 .1 – – .3 .1 1.1 22.3 .2 1.2

Maids and housemen ...................... 22.8 – – – .1 4 ( ) – .1 .5 22.0

Miscellaneous food preparation ...... 21.9 – – – .4 – .1 14.3 .1 6.9

Groundskeepers and gardeners,

except farm ................................... 18.6 9.2 4 ( ) .8 .2 .3 .2 1.0 2.5 4.4

Mechanics, automobile ................... 18.3 – – .2 .4 .4 .6 11.2 – 5.5

Electricians ...................................... 17.7 – .3 12.8 2.4 .4 .6 .2 .1 1.0

Shipping and receiving clerks ......... 17.0 .1 – .1 5.6 4.1 2.2 4.1 – .9

Farm workers .................................. 15.3 14.5 – – .4 – .2 – – .2

Driver-sales workers ....................... 14.8 .1 – – 3.8 1.0 6.0 2.3 – 1.4

Industrial truck operators ................. 13.6 .7 .4 .5 6.2 1.9 2.2 1.4 .1 .3

Kitchen workers ............................... 13.3 – – – .1 – .4 11.8 – 1.0

Plumbers and pipefitters ................. 13.0 – 4 ( ) 9.7 1.0 .5 .1 .2 4 ( ) 1.4

Packaging, filling machine

operators ....................................... 12.6 .1 – – 11.0 .1 1.0 .2 – .2

Guards and police, except public .... 12.6 .1 4 ( ) – .3 .3 .1 1.0 .6 10.1

Waiters and waitresses ................... 12.6 – – – 4 ( ) – – 8.0 .1 4.4

Stock and inventory clerks .............. 12.2 – – .5 2.6 .7 1.4 5.5 .1 1.4

Licensed practical nurses ................ 11.8 – – – – – – – – 11.7

Supervisors, production workers ..... 11.5 – 4 ( ) – 8.1 .9 .6 .7 .1 .9

Repairers, industrial machinery ....... 11.4 – 1.2 .1 8.7 .2 .7 .1 – .3

Health aides, except nursing ........... 11.1 – – – – – .1 – 4 ( ) 11.0

Mechanics, bus, truck, stationary

engine ........................................... 10.3 .2 – .4 .6 3.3 2.2 .9 – 2.6

Machinists ....................................... 10.0 – 4 ( ) – 8.9 .1 .5 .1 – .4

Attendants, public transportation ..... 8.7 – – – – 8.6 – – – .1

General office clerks ....................... 8.6 .2 4 ( ) .1 .7 .8 1.3 1.1 .9 3.6

Hand packers and packagers ......... 8.5 .2 – – 4.1 .3 1.1 2.0 – 1.0

Waiters’, waitresses’ assistants ...... 8.4 – – – – – – 5.8 – 2.6

Production inspectors ...................... 8.1 – – – 6.7 .2 .5 .2 4 ( ) .4

Vehicle washers and cleaners ........ 7.8 .1 – – 1.8 1.4 .6 2.0 – 1.9

Butchers and meat cutters .............. 7.6 – – – 2.3 – .4 4.8 – –

Secretaries ...................................... 7.6 – 4 ( ) .1 .8 .2 .2 .8 .7 4.8

1 Days-away-from-work cases include those which result in days away

from work with or without restricted work activity. 2 Excludes farms with fewer than 11 employees. 3 Data conforming to OSHA definitions for mining operators in coal, metal,

and nonmetal mining and for employers in railroad transportation are provided

to BLS by the Mine Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of

Labor; and by the Federal Railroad Administration, U.S. Department of

Transportation. Independent mining contractors are excluded from the coal,

metal, and nonmetal industries. 4 Fewer than 50 cases

NOTE: Dashes indicate data that are not available. Because of rounding

and nonclassifiable responses, data may not sum to the totals. 

SOURCE: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor 
TABLE 4. Number of nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses involving days away from work1 by selected injury or illness

characteristics and industry division, 1997

(In thousands)

Characteristic Private

industry 2

Goods producing Service producing

Agriculture,

forestry,

and

fishing 2

Mining 3 Construction

Manufacturing

Transportation and

public

utilities 3

Wholesale

trade

Retail

trade

Finance,

insurance,

and real

estate

Services

Total cases ...................................... 1,833.4 40.5 18.1 189.8 446.1 220.6 138.2 313.9 42.7 423.4

Nature of injury or illness:

Sprains, strains ........................... 799.0 13.2 6.6 70.1 170.4 115.2 64.4 130.1 16.2 212.9

Bruises, contusions ..................... 165.8 3.5 2.2 15.3 40.2 23.1 11.2 31.8 2.7 35.8

Cuts, lacerations ......................... 133.6 4.8 1.1 18.2 37.6 8.8 9.1 34.2 2.6 17.2

Fractures ..................................... 119.5 3.3 3.1 19.5 29.6 11.9 9.8 18.1 3.0 21.3

Heat burns ................................... 30.0 .2 .2 2.1 7.8 .8 1.0 11.7 .3 5.8

Carpal tunnel syndrome .............. 29.2 .2 .1 1.1 12.2 2.2 1.8 3.1 2.4 6.1

Tendonitis .................................... 18.0 .2 – .8 8.2 .8 .8 3.0 .6 3.7

Chemical burns ........................... 12.2 .2 .1 1.0 4.2 .6 1.0 2.4 .1 2.5

Amputations ................................ 10.9 .3 .2 1.2 5.6 .6 .8 1.4 .1 .7

Multiple traumatic injuries ............ 59.8 1.2 .7 5.9 13.2 9.2 4.7 9.6 1.9 13.5

Part of body affected by the

injury or illness:

Head ............................................ 123.4 4.6 1.5 15.5 35.5 12.0 9.0 17.9 2.3 25.2

Eye ............................................ 64.9 2.9 .6 9.0 24.1 4.3 4.9 7.7 .9 10.6

Neck ............................................ 32.0 .6 .3 3.1 6.1 4.7 2.4 4.8 .7 9.2

Trunk ........................................... 687.4 12.6 5.6 66.3 153.7 90.4 57.1 110.6 13.7 177.3

Shoulder .................................... 92.8 1.5 .6 8.3 24.1 14.5 6.3 14.3 1.4 21.7

Back .......................................... 472.1 8.2 3.6 44.5 97.8 60.5 39.6 76.6 9.8 131.4

Upper extremities ........................ 419.5 10.3 4.5 39.9 137.4 34.1 27.4 83.5 9.8 72.4

Wrist .......................................... 92.2 1.6 .5 5.8 29.0 8.5 6.4 17.0 3.8 19.7

Hand, except finger ................... 72.9 2.4 .6 7.8 22.4 5.3 4.7 16.4 1.4 11.9

Finger ........................................ 154.1 3.9 2.3 17.4 56.1 9.7 10.3 31.9 2.2 20.4

Lower extremities ........................ 375.0 8.9 4.8 47.0 76.3 52.1 29.2 66.5 8.9 81.4

Knee .......................................... 129.9 2.7 1.4 14.7 24.9 17.8 11.3 23.3 3.0 30.9

Foot, except toe ........................ 69.3 1.6 1.2 10.9 16.1 8.4 5.3 13.2 1.6 10.9

Toe ............................................ 21.3 .4 .6 2.9 5.3 2.3 2.0 4.1 .3 3.3

Body systems .............................. 25.2 .3 .2 2.0 5.2 3.1 1.5 3.2 1.6 8.1

Multiple parts ............................... 150.6 2.5 1.0 14.2 27.1 22.5 10.1 24.2 5.1 44.0

See footnotes at end of table.
TABLE 4. Number of nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses involving days away from work1 by selected injury or illness

characteristics and industry division, 1997 — Continued

(In thousands)

Characteristic Private

industry 2

Goods producing Service producing

Agriculture,

forestry,

and

fishing 2

Mining 3 Construction

Manufacturing

Transportation and

public

utilities 3

Wholesale

trade

Retail

trade

Finance,

insurance,

and real

estate

Services

Source of injury or illness:

Chemicals and chemical

products .................................... 32.2 0.7 1.1 2.8 10.2 2.4 1.9 4.9 0.8 7.6

Containers ................................... 267.4 3.3 1.0 11.0 61.9 54.5 31.4 63.8 4.7 36.0

Furniture and fixtures .................. 64.4 .4 4 ( ) 3.5 12.1 3.9 3.1 18.4 2.7 20.4

Machinery .................................... 122.8 2.6 2.4 11.3 51.9 4.9 9.9 22.3 2.1 15.5

Parts and materials ..................... 207.3 3.6 4.0 46.0 80.8 16.0 17.0 21.8 2.7 15.3

Worker motion or position ........... 277.5 4.9 .9 23.7 80.6 32.7 20.6 40.8 9.4 64.0

Floors, walkways, ground

surfaces ..................................... 287.8 6.7 2.7 33.1 45.3 36.3 19.1 59.8 9.5 75.5

Tools, instruments, and

equipment ................................. 108.0 3.5 1.6 20.1 29.3 7.6 5.4 17.6 1.7 21.2

Vehicles ....................................... 147.8 3.4 1.2 10.4 21.9 39.2 16.9 23.1 2.8 28.9

Health care patient ...................... 85.9 – – – 4 ( ) 1.1 .1 – .2 84.4

Event or exposure leading to

injury or illness:

Contact with objects and

equipment ................................. 494.4 13.9 8.5 66.1 151.0 46.1 37.2 88.4 7.6 75.5

Struck by object ......................... 239.3 6.3 4.6 36.5 63.2 22.8 17.7 45.6 4.2 38.5

Struck against object ................. 128.9 3.9 1.5 14.4 35.3 12.9 9.9 27.5 2.2 21.5

Caught in equipment or object .. 80.1 2.1 2.2 7.5 37.1 6.1 6.5 9.9 .7 8.0

Fall to lower level ........................ 99.9 3.4 1.8 22.0 14.4 15.7 8.2 13.2 3.2 18.1

Fall on same level ....................... 198.1 3.6 1.2 13.3 34.0 20.7 11.0 48.8 6.7 58.9

Slip, trip, loss of

balance—without fall ................. 57.4 .9 .4 5.7 11.4 7.3 4.4 11.0 1.6 14.7

Overexertion ................................ 507.5 6.9 3.9 44.3 117.3 66.8 43.4 77.9 9.5 137.5

Overexertion in lifting ................ 297.3 3.8 1.5 25.5 64.8 37.6 28.5 52.8 6.1 76.8

Repetitive motion ........................ 75.2 .7 .1 2.8 35.9 5.2 4.4 9.1 4.4 12.7

Exposure to harmful

substances ................................ 83.4 2.5 .7 7.0 24.4 6.7 4.0 17.6 1.7 18.9

Transportation accidents ............. 74.1 1.6 .6 5.7 8.5 20.6 8.0 9.8 2.2 17.2

Fires and explosions ................... 3.7 – .1 .5 .8 .4 .2 1.0 .1 .6

Assaults and violent acts by

person ....................................... 21.3 – 4 ( ) .2 .6 .8 .5 2.9 .3 16.0

1 Days-away-from-work cases include those which result in days away

from work with or without restricted work activity. 2 Excludes farms with fewer than 11 employees. 3 Data conforming to OSHA definitions for mining operators in coal, metal,

and nonmetal mining and for employers in railroad transportation are provided

to BLS by the Mine Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of

Labor; and by the Federal Railroad Administration, U.S. Department of

Transportation. Independent mining contractors are excluded from the coal,

metal, and nonmetal industries. 4 Fewer than 50 cases

NOTE: Dashes indicate data that are not available. Because of rounding

and nonclassifiable responses, data may not sum to the totals. 

SOURCE: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor 
TABLE 5. Percent distribution of nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses involving days away from work1 by selected injury or

illness characteristics and industry division, 1997

Characteristic Private

industry 2

Goods producing Service producing

Agriculture,

forestry,

and

fishing 2

Mining 3 Construction

Manufacturing

Transportation and

public

utilities 3

Wholesale

trade

Retail

trade

Finance,

insurance,

and real

estate

Services

Total [1,833,380 cases] ................... 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0

Nature of injury or illness:

Sprains, strains ........................... 43.6 32.5 36.3 36.9 38.2 52.2 46.6 41.4 38.0 50.3

Bruises, contusions ..................... 9.0 8.7 12.2 8.0 9.0 10.5 8.1 10.1 6.3 8.4

Cuts, lacerations ......................... 7.3 12.0 6.3 9.6 8.4 4.0 6.6 10.9 6.1 4.1

Fractures ..................................... 6.5 8.0 17.1 10.3 6.6 5.4 7.1 5.8 7.0 5.0

Heat burns ................................... 1.6 .5 1.4 1.1 1.7 .4 .7 3.7 .8 1.4

Carpal tunnel syndrome .............. 1.6 .6 .4 .6 2.7 1.0 1.3 1.0 5.7 1.4

Tendonitis .................................... 1.0 .4 – .4 1.8 .4 .6 1.0 1.3 .9

Chemical burns ........................... .7 .5 .8 .5 .9 .3 .8 .8 .3 .6

Amputations ................................ .6 .8 1.4 .6 1.2 .3 .6 .4 .1 .2

Multiple traumatic injuries ............ 3.3 2.9 3.7 3.1 2.9 4.2 3.4 3.0 4.4 3.2

Part of body affected by the

injury or illness:

Head ............................................ 6.7 11.4 8.3 8.1 8.0 5.5 6.5 5.7 5.3 5.9

Eye ............................................ 3.5 7.1 3.1 4.8 5.4 1.9 3.5 2.5 2.1 2.5

Neck ............................................ 1.7 1.5 1.9 1.6 1.4 2.1 1.7 1.5 1.7 2.2

Trunk ........................................... 37.5 31.2 31.2 34.9 34.5 41.0 41.3 35.2 32.0 41.9

Shoulder .................................... 5.1 3.6 3.6 4.4 5.4 6.6 4.6 4.5 3.3 5.1

Back .......................................... 25.7 20.3 20.1 23.4 21.9 27.4 28.7 24.4 23.0 31.0

Upper extremities ........................ 22.9 25.4 25.1 21.0 30.8 15.5 19.8 26.6 23.0 17.1

Wrist .......................................... 5.0 3.9 2.6 3.1 6.5 3.8 4.6 5.4 8.9 4.6

Hand, except finger ................... 4.0 6.0 3.3 4.1 5.0 2.4 3.4 5.2 3.2 2.8

Finger ........................................ 8.4 9.5 12.5 9.2 12.6 4.4 7.5 10.2 5.2 4.8

Lower extremities ........................ 20.5 21.9 26.4 24.8 17.1 23.6 21.1 21.2 20.9 19.2

Knee .......................................... 7.1 6.7 7.6 7.7 5.6 8.0 8.1 7.4 7.1 7.3

Foot, except toe ........................ 3.8 4.1 6.4 5.7 3.6 3.8 3.9 4.2 3.8 2.6

Toe ............................................ 1.2 1.0 3.3 1.5 1.2 1.1 1.4 1.3 .6 .8

Body systems .............................. 1.4 .7 1.0 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.1 1.0 3.8 1.9

Multiple parts ............................... 8.2 6.2 5.6 7.5 6.1 10.2 7.3 7.7 11.8 10.4

See footnotes at end of table.
TABLE 5. Percent distribution of nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses involving days away from work1 by selected injury or

illness characteristics and industry division, 1997 — Continued

Characteristic Private

industry 2

Goods producing Service producing

Agriculture,

forestry,

and

fishing 2

Mining 3 Construction

Manufacturing

Transportation and

public

utilities 3

Wholesale

trade

Retail

trade

Finance,

insurance,

and real

estate

Services

Source of injury or illness:

Chemicals and chemical

products .................................... 1.8 1.6 6.1 1.5 2.3 1.1 1.3 1.6 1.9 1.8

Containers ................................... 14.6 8.2 5.3 5.8 13.9 24.7 22.7 20.3 11.0 8.5

Furniture and fixtures .................. 3.5 .9 .2 1.8 2.7 1.7 2.3 5.9 6.3 4.8

Machinery .................................... 6.7 6.3 13.5 5.9 11.6 2.2 7.2 7.1 4.9 3.7

Parts and materials ..................... 11.3 8.8 22.4 24.2 18.1 7.2 12.3 7.0 6.2 3.6

Worker motion or position ........... 15.1 12.1 4.9 12.5 18.1 14.8 14.9 13.0 21.9 15.1

Floors, walkways, ground

surfaces ..................................... 15.7 16.5 15.1 17.4 10.1 16.4 13.8 19.1 22.2 17.8

Tools, instruments, and

equipment ................................. 5.9 8.5 9.0 10.6 6.6 3.5 3.9 5.6 4.0 5.0

Vehicles ....................................... 8.1 8.5 6.5 5.5 4.9 17.8 12.2 7.4 6.5 6.8

Health care patient ...................... 4.7 – – – 4 ( ) .5 .1 – .5 19.9

Event or exposure leading to

injury or illness:

Contact with objects and

equipment ................................. 27.0 34.4 47.2 34.8 33.8 20.9 27.0 28.2 17.9 17.8

Struck by object ......................... 13.1 15.5 25.6 19.2 14.2 10.3 12.8 14.5 9.8 9.1

Struck against object ................. 7.0 9.6 8.4 7.6 7.9 5.9 7.1 8.7 5.0 5.1

Caught in equipment or object .. 4.4 5.2 12.3 4.0 8.3 2.8 4.7 3.2 1.6 1.9

Fall to lower level ........................ 5.4 8.4 9.7 11.6 3.2 7.1 5.9 4.2 7.6 4.3

Fall on same level ....................... 10.8 8.8 6.5 7.0 7.6 9.4 8.0 15.5 15.7 13.9

Slip, trip, loss of

balance—without fall ................. 3.1 2.2 2.0 3.0 2.5 3.3 3.2 3.5 3.9 3.5

Overexertion ................................ 27.7 17.0 21.8 23.3 26.3 30.3 31.4 24.8 22.2 32.5

Overexertion in lifting ................ 16.2 9.3 8.4 13.4 14.5 17.1 20.6 16.8 14.2 18.1

Repetitive motion ........................ 4.1 1.8 .6 1.5 8.0 2.3 3.2 2.9 10.2 3.0

Exposure to harmful

substances ................................ 4.6 6.2 3.7 3.7 5.5 3.0 2.9 5.6 4.1 4.5

Transportation accidents ............. 4.0 4.0 3.2 3.0 1.9 9.3 5.8 3.1 5.2 4.1

Fires and explosions ................... .2 – .5 .3 .2 .2 .1 .3 .3 .1

Assaults and violent acts by

person ....................................... 1.2 – 4 ( ) .1 .1 .4 .3 .9 .8 3.8

1 Days-away-from-work cases include those which result in days away

from work with or without restricted work activity. 2 Excludes farms with fewer than 11 employees. 3 Data conforming to OSHA definitions for mining operators in coal, metal,

and nonmetal mining and for employers in railroad transportation are provided

to BLS by the Mine Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of

Labor; and by the Federal Railroad Administration, U.S. Department of

Transportation. Independent mining contractors are excluded from the coal,

metal, and nonmetal industries. 4 Less than 0.1 percent

NOTE: Dashes indicate data that are not available. Because of rounding

and nonclassifiable responses, percentages may not add to 100. 

SOURCE: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor 
TABLE 6. Incidence rates1 for nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses involving days away from work2 per 10,000 full-time workers

for selected characteristics and industry division, 1997

Characteristic Private

industry 3

Goods producing Service producing

Agriculture,

forestry,

and

fishing 3

Mining 4 Construction

Manufacturing

Transportation and

public

utilities 4

Wholesale

trade

Retail

trade

Finance,

insurance,

and real

estate

Services

Total [1,833,380 cases] ................... 212.3 300.5 292.7 364.8 238.3 365.4 214.3 193.0 67.4 166.9

Nature of injury or illness:

Sprains, strains ........................... 92.5 97.6 106.2 134.7 91.0 190.8 99.9 79.9 25.6 84.0

Bruises, contusions ..................... 19.2 26.1 35.6 29.3 21.5 38.3 17.4 19.6 4.2 14.1

Cuts, lacerations ......................... 15.5 35.9 18.3 34.9 20.1 14.6 14.1 21.0 4.1 6.8

Fractures ..................................... 13.8 24.2 50.1 37.5 15.8 19.6 15.2 11.1 4.7 8.4

Heat burns ................................... 3.5 1.5 4.0 4.1 4.2 1.3 1.5 7.2 5 ( ) 2.3

Carpal tunnel syndrome .............. 3.4 1.7 1.3 2.0 6.5 3.6 2.9 1.9 3.9 2.4

Tendonitis .................................... 2.1 1.3 – 1.5 4.4 1.3 1.3 1.9 5 ( ) 1.4

Chemical burns ........................... 1.4 1.5 2.2 1.9 2.2 1.0 1.6 1.5 5 ( ) 1.0

Amputations ................................ 1.3 2.6 4.0 2.3 3.0 5 ( ) 1.3 5 ( ) 5 ( ) 5 ( )

Multiple traumatic injuries ............ 6.9 8.8 10.7 11.4 7.0 15.2 7.4 5.9 3.0 5.3

Part of body affected by the

injury or illness:

Head ............................................ 14.3 34.1 24.4 29.7 19.0 19.9 14.0 11.0 3.6 9.9

Eye ............................................ 7.5 21.2 9.0 17.4 12.9 7.1 7.6 4.7 1.4 4.2

Neck ............................................ 3.7 4.4 5.7 5.9 3.3 7.8 3.8 3.0 1.1 3.6

Trunk ........................................... 79.6 93.8 91.5 127.3 82.1 149.7 88.6 68.0 21.6 69.9

Shoulder .................................... 10.7 10.9 10.4 15.9 12.9 24.1 9.8 8.8 2.3 8.6

Back .......................................... 54.7 60.9 58.9 85.5 52.2 100.2 61.4 47.1 15.5 51.8

Upper extremities ........................ 48.6 76.4 73.6 76.7 73.4 56.5 42.5 51.4 15.5 28.6

Wrist .......................................... 10.7 11.7 7.6 11.2 15.5 14.0 9.9 10.4 6.0 7.8

Hand, except finger ................... 8.4 18.1 9.5 14.9 12.0 8.8 7.2 10.1 2.2 4.7

Finger ........................................ 17.9 28.6 36.5 33.4 30.0 16.0 16.0 19.6 3.5 8.1

Lower extremities ........................ 43.4 65.8 77.4 90.3 40.8 86.3 45.2 40.9 14.1 32.1

Knee .......................................... 15.1 20.2 22.3 28.2 13.3 29.4 17.5 14.4 4.8 12.2

Foot, except toe ........................ 8.0 12.2 18.8 20.9 8.6 14.0 8.3 8.1 2.6 4.3

Toe ............................................ 2.5 3.1 9.6 5.5 2.9 3.9 3.1 2.5 5 ( ) 1.3

Body systems .............................. 2.9 2.2 2.9 3.8 2.8 5.2 2.3 2.0 2.6 3.2

Multiple parts ............................... 17.4 18.6 16.3 27.4 14.5 37.3 15.6 14.9 8.0 17.3

See footnotes at end of table.
TABLE 6. Incidence rates1 for nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses involving days away from work2 per 10,000 full-time workers

for selected characteristics and industry division, 1997 — Continued

Characteristic Private

industry 3

Goods producing Service producing

Agriculture,

forestry,

and

fishing 3

Mining 4 Construction

Manufacturing

Transportation and

public

utilities 4

Wholesale

trade

Retail

trade

Finance,

insurance,

and real

estate

Services

Source of injury or illness:

Chemicals and chemical

products .................................... 3.7 4.8 17.9 5.3 5.5 3.9 2.9 3.0 1.3 3.0

Containers ................................... 31.0 24.6 15.6 21.1 33.1 90.2 48.6 39.2 7.4 14.2

Furniture and fixtures .................. 7.5 2.7 5 ( ) 6.7 6.5 6.4 4.9 11.3 4.2 8.1

Machinery .................................... 14.2 19.0 39.5 21.7 27.7 8.1 15.3 13.7 3.3 6.1

Parts and materials ..................... 24.0 26.4 65.6 88.4 43.2 26.5 26.4 13.4 4.2 6.1

Worker motion or position ........... 32.1 36.3 14.2 45.5 43.0 54.2 31.9 25.1 14.8 25.2

Floors, walkways, ground

surfaces ..................................... 33.3 49.5 44.1 63.5 24.2 60.1 29.6 36.8 15.0 29.8

Tools, instruments, and

equipment ................................. 12.5 25.7 26.3 38.7 15.6 12.6 8.5 10.8 2.7 8.4

Vehicles ....................................... 17.1 25.4 19.1 20.1 11.7 64.9 26.2 14.2 4.4 11.4

Health care patient ...................... 10.0 – – – 5 ( ) 1.9 5 () – 5 ( ) 33.3

Event or exposure leading to

injury or illness:

Contact with objects and

equipment ................................. 57.3 103.4 138.2 127.0 80.6 76.4 57.8 54.3 12.1 29.8

Struck by object ......................... 27.7 46.5 75.0 70.1 33.8 37.7 27.4 28.0 6.6 15.2

Struck against object ................. 14.9 28.8 24.5 27.6 18.8 21.4 15.3 16.9 3.4 8.5

Caught in equipment or object .. 9.3 15.6 36.1 14.4 19.8 10.1 10.1 6.1 1.1 3.2

Fall to lower level ........................ 11.6 25.2 28.4 42.2 7.7 26.0 12.7 8.1 5.1 7.1

Fall on same level ....................... 22.9 26.4 19.2 25.6 18.1 34.3 17.1 30.0 10.6 23.2

Slip, trip, loss of

balance—without fall ................. 6.7 6.7 5.9 10.9 6.1 12.1 6.9 6.8 2.6 5.8

Overexertion ................................ 58.8 50.9 63.9 85.2 62.7 110.7 67.2 47.9 15.0 54.2

Overexertion in lifting ................ 34.4 28.0 24.7 49.0 34.6 62.3 44.2 32.4 9.6 30.3

Repetitive motion ........................ 8.7 5.5 1.7 5.4 19.2 8.5 6.8 5.6 6.9 5.0

Exposure to harmful

substances ................................ 9.7 18.6 10.7 13.5 13.0 11.1 6.1 10.8 2.8 7.4

Transportation accidents ............. 8.6 11.9 9.4 10.9 4.5 34.0 12.4 6.0 3.5 6.8

Fires and explosions ................... 5 ( ) – 1.4 1.0 5 ( ) 5 ( ) 5 ( ) 5 ( ) 5 ( ) 5 ( )

Assaults and violent acts by

person ....................................... 2.5 – 5 ( ) 5 ( ) 5 ( ) 1.3 5 ( ) 1.8 5 ( ) 6.3

1 Incidence rates represent the number of injuries and illnesses per 10,000

full-time workers and were calculated as: (N/EH) x 20,000,000 where 

N = number of injuries and illnesses 

EH = total hours worked by all employees 

during the calendar year 

20,000,000 = base for 10,000 equivalent full-time workers 

(working 40 hours per week, 50 weeks per year).

2 Days-away-from-work cases include those which result in days away from

work with or without restricted work activity. 

3 Excludes farms with fewer than 11 employees. 4 Data conforming to OSHA definitions for mining operators in coal, metal,

and nonmetal mining and for employers in railroad transportation are provided

to BLS by the Mine Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor;

and by the Federal Railroad Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation. 

Independent mining contractors are excluded from the coal, metal, and

nonmetal industries. 5 Less than 1.0 case per 10,000 full-time workers

NOTE: Dashes indicate data that are not available. 

SOURCE: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor 
TABLE 7. Percent distribution of nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses involving days away from work1 by selected worker

characteristics and number of days away from work, 1997

Characteristic Total

cases

Cases involving Median

days

away

from work 1 day 2 days 3 to 5

days

6 to 10

days

11 to 20

days

21 to 30

days

31 days

or more

Total [1,833,380 cases] ................... 100.0 16.6 13.0 20.4 13.1 11.7 6.7 18.5 5

Sex:

Male .............................................. 100.0 16.8 12.6 20.2 13.1 11.7 6.8 18.8 6

Female .......................................... 100.0 16.3 13.9 20.9 13.1 11.7 6.3 17.8 5

Age:2

14 to 15 ......................................... 100.0 5.3 9.2 16.9 42.6 2.1 9.9 13.7 9

16 to 19 ......................................... 100.0 22.1 17.2 26.7 11.9 9.2 5.0 7.8 3

20 to 24 ......................................... 100.0 21.6 16.2 22.5 14.5 9.6 5.8 9.9 4

25 to 34 ......................................... 100.0 17.9 13.9 21.6 12.9 11.5 6.2 15.9 5

35 to 44 ......................................... 100.0 15.7 12.5 19.4 13.3 11.9 6.8 20.4 6

45 to 54 ......................................... 100.0 13.7 10.8 19.1 12.7 13.0 7.1 23.5 8

55 to 64 ......................................... 100.0 12.0 10.3 16.7 12.4 13.1 8.7 26.8 10

65 and over ................................... 100.0 10.8 9.4 17.1 12.5 15.0 9.4 25.7 11

Occupation:

Managerial and professional

specialty ...................................... 100.0 17.5 14.1 21.9 13.6 11.4 5.4 16.1 5

Technical, sales, and

administrative support ................. 100.0 16.8 13.6 21.9 13.0 11.6 5.9 17.2 5

Service .......................................... 100.0 15.8 14.7 22.0 13.7 11.8 6.2 15.8 5

Farming, forestry, and fishing ........ 100.0 16.4 11.5 22.6 14.6 11.2 5.9 17.7 5

Precision production, craft, and

repair ........................................... 100.0 16.6 12.6 17.7 12.8 11.6 7.7 21.1 7

Operators, fabricators, and

laborers ....................................... 100.0 16.8 12.2 19.9 12.9 11.8 6.8 19.5 6

Length of service with employer:

Less than 3 months ....................... 100.0 18.4 13.3 22.1 13.1 10.0 6.7 16.4 5

3 to 11 months .............................. 100.0 17.9 15.5 21.5 12.8 10.6 6.2 15.4 5

1 to 5 years ................................... 100.0 17.1 13.2 20.4 13.3 12.0 6.4 17.7 5

More than 5 years ......................... 100.0 14.6 11.1 19.0 13.0 12.7 7.4 22.2 7

Race or ethnic origin:

White, non-Hispanic ...................... 100.0 17.1 13.5 20.4 12.6 11.4 6.8 18.2 5

Black, non-Hispanic ...................... 100.0 16.7 13.6 20.8 13.8 12.1 6.3 16.8 5

Hispanic ........................................ 100.0 14.8 11.5 20.6 14.1 11.6 7.0 20.5 7

Asian or Pacific Islander ................ 100.0 17.8 11.1 21.4 12.9 15.0 5.6 16.1 5

American Indian or Alaskan

Native .......................................... 100.0 13.7 13.0 22.9 14.8 10.8 11.0 13.8 6

1 Days-away-from-work cases include those which result in days away

from work with or without restricted work activity. 2 Information is not shown separately in this release for injured workers

under age 14; they accounted for fewer than 50 cases.

NOTE: Because of rounding, percentages may not add to 100. 

SOURCE: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor 
TABLE 8. Percent distribution of nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses involving days away from work1 by selected

occupation and number of days away from work, 1997

Occupation Total

cases

Percent of cases involving Median

days

away

from work 1 day 2 days 3 to 5

days

6 to 10

days

11 to 20

days

21 to 30

days

31 days

or more

Total [1,833,380 cases] ................... 100.0 16.6 13.0 20.4 13.1 11.7 6.7 18.5 5

Truck drivers ................................... 100.0 11.8 10.0 19.6 12.9 13.1 7.9 24.7 9

Laborers, nonconstruction ............... 100.0 19.6 13.3 20.8 12.1 11.8 6.0 16.4 5

Nursing aides, orderlies .................. 100.0 16.1 15.7 23.1 14.3 11.2 5.8 13.8 5

Janitors and cleaners ...................... 100.0 16.7 13.2 22.6 11.7 13.2 5.0 17.6 5

Construction laborers ...................... 100.0 12.4 10.7 22.3 12.7 11.5 7.2 23.1 7

Assemblers ..................................... 100.0 17.8 12.3 19.0 11.6 12.0 6.6 20.7 6

Carpenters ...................................... 100.0 12.1 13.9 16.4 13.0 12.0 9.7 22.9 8

Cooks .............................................. 100.0 15.2 14.8 25.6 12.2 10.3 8.6 13.4 5

Stock handlers and baggers ........... 100.0 16.0 16.0 24.0 13.0 12.0 5.3 13.8 5

Welders and cutters ........................ 100.0 26.7 14.5 18.2 11.0 9.5 6.2 13.9 4

Registered nurses ........................... 100.0 18.5 17.1 19.8 13.5 11.7 4.5 15.0 4

Supervisors and proprietors ............ 100.0 13.5 13.4 21.5 12.6 14.2 5.9 19.0 6

Cashiers .......................................... 100.0 16.9 15.8 22.6 10.5 9.3 5.9 19.0 5

Sales workers, other commodities .. 100.0 17.3 12.9 23.4 13.1 12.1 6.1 15.0 5

Maids and housemen ...................... 100.0 15.1 11.8 21.6 12.7 13.0 7.1 18.6 6

Miscellaneous food preparation ...... 100.0 16.3 12.3 25.6 13.9 9.6 5.2 17.1 5

Groundskeepers and gardeners,

except farm ................................... 100.0 19.1 12.2 24.9 14.3 7.2 4.7 17.6 5

Mechanics, automobile ................... 100.0 24.4 15.0 18.7 11.0 11.2 4.1 15.6 4

Electricians ...................................... 100.0 19.6 13.0 13.7 9.7 10.9 7.8 25.2 7

Shipping and receiving clerks ......... 100.0 16.9 13.0 23.5 12.7 10.6 5.1 18.2 5

Farm workers .................................. 100.0 12.0 10.1 21.2 18.4 14.9 5.5 17.9 7

Driver-sales workers ....................... 100.0 15.6 11.1 21.2 16.1 10.8 6.7 18.3 6

Industrial truck operators ................. 100.0 15.5 12.1 20.7 12.7 10.5 6.9 21.7 6

Kitchen workers ............................... 100.0 21.7 12.4 22.4 17.1 10.4 5.8 10.2 5

Plumbers and pipefitters ................. 100.0 17.3 11.4 14.4 13.0 14.1 8.2 21.5 8

Packaging, filling machine

operators ....................................... 100.0 16.9 12.0 20.4 14.8 11.4 6.5 18.0 6

Guards and police, except public .... 100.0 15.7 12.3 15.4 14.7 11.3 5.7 24.8 7

Waiters and waitresses ................... 100.0 12.7 19.3 18.9 13.5 10.7 6.6 18.2 5

Stock and inventory clerks .............. 100.0 19.2 14.7 22.2 12.5 12.1 5.1 14.2 5

Licensed practical nurses ................ 100.0 17.8 15.3 21.7 15.3 13.0 4.5 12.4 5

Supervisors, production workers ..... 100.0 19.1 13.2 21.9 12.3 10.0 5.7 17.8 5

Repairers, industrial machinery ....... 100.0 15.6 12.3 17.3 11.6 12.5 7.6 23.2 7

Health aides, except nursing ........... 100.0 21.3 14.8 20.4 13.7 12.2 6.1 11.6 5

Mechanics, bus, truck, stationary

engine ........................................... 100.0 24.3 9.9 18.3 12.9 11.9 6.1 16.6 5

Machinists ....................................... 100.0 19.6 17.8 16.8 11.5 8.9 5.4 20.1 5

Attendants, public transportation ..... 100.0 8.7 10.4 21.6 18.7 18.4 7.1 15.1 8

General office clerks ....................... 100.0 21.1 21.8 18.6 9.1 8.1 6.6 14.6 4

Hand packers and packagers ......... 100.0 18.3 17.2 20.8 11.8 11.5 6.2 14.1 4

Waiters’, waitresses’ assistants ...... 100.0 8.7 24.0 12.8 15.2 17.2 5.8 16.3 7

Production inspectors ...................... 100.0 16.0 10.6 16.6 15.6 14.6 6.7 19.9 7

Vehicle washers and cleaners ........ 100.0 20.5 17.9 22.6 13.6 8.4 5.6 11.5 4

Butchers and meat cutters .............. 100.0 13.0 13.7 16.1 14.2 14.1 10.4 18.5 8

Secretaries ...................................... 100.0 13.6 8.5 28.3 7.4 16.0 5.5 20.7 5

1 Days-away-from-work cases include those which result in days away

from work with or without restricted work activity. 

NOTE: Because of rounding, percentages may not add to 100. 

SOURCE: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor 
TABLE 9. Percent distribution of nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses involving days away from work1 by selected injury

or illness characteristics and number of days away from work, 1997

Characteristic Total

cases

Percent of cases involving Median

days

away

from work 1 day 2 days 3 to 5

days

6 to 10

days

11 to 20

days

21 to 30

days

31 days

or more

Total [1,833,380 cases] ................... 100.0 16.6 13.0 20.4 13.1 11.7 6.7 18.5 5

Nature of injury or illness:

Sprains, strains ........................... 100.0 13.6 13.0 22.3 14.4 12.3 6.4 18.0 6

Bruises, contusions ..................... 100.0 23.9 17.5 24.4 11.8 9.3 4.2 8.9 3

Cuts, lacerations ......................... 100.0 24.8 15.8 22.4 14.6 9.6 4.0 8.9 3

Fractures ..................................... 100.0 7.8 6.3 11.6 11.5 12.3 12.8 37.7 21

Heat burns ................................... 100.0 19.2 15.3 24.3 14.0 13.0 5.3 8.9 4

Carpal tunnel syndrome .............. 100.0 4.0 4.4 9.4 9.6 16.3 13.0 43.3 25

Tendonitis .................................... 100.0 9.8 8.6 17.4 14.0 16.3 8.0 26.0 11

Chemical burns ........................... 100.0 35.5 18.7 20.7 8.7 7.0 3.8 5.5 2

Amputations ................................ 100.0 7.7 6.9 10.8 11.3 16.8 11.0 35.6 18

Multiple traumatic injuries ............ 100.0 15.7 11.2 18.3 12.0 12.6 7.3 23.0 7

Part of body affected by the

injury or illness:

Head ............................................ 100.0 39.8 21.2 19.2 8.2 4.5 1.8 5.3 2

Eye ............................................ 100.0 49.0 22.5 18.5 4.5 2.5 1.1 2.0 2

Neck ............................................ 100.0 15.9 13.6 22.2 10.9 10.0 5.7 21.9 5

Trunk ........................................... 100.0 13.0 12.0 21.7 14.2 12.9 6.9 19.3 7

Shoulder .................................... 100.0 12.9 10.3 17.6 12.8 13.7 6.8 25.8 9

Back .......................................... 100.0 13.3 12.9 23.5 14.6 12.1 5.7 17.9 6

Upper extremities ........................ 100.0 17.5 13.0 19.5 13.2 11.9 6.7 18.2 6

Wrist .......................................... 100.0 11.0 9.6 16.2 11.4 13.5 8.9 29.5 12

Hand, except finger ................... 100.0 19.4 15.9 21.5 14.8 10.7 5.7 12.1 5

Finger ........................................ 100.0 21.6 14.1 20.7 13.4 11.9 5.9 12.4 5

Lower extremities ........................ 100.0 15.0 12.7 19.8 13.8 11.9 7.7 19.1 6

Knee .......................................... 100.0 11.9 10.3 17.9 13.4 13.2 8.8 24.5 9

Foot, except toe ........................ 100.0 18.0 13.4 20.2 12.0 10.9 8.7 16.8 5

Toe ............................................ 100.0 20.8 14.3 21.4 14.0 12.3 6.8 10.5 5

Body systems .............................. 100.0 26.2 13.9 19.5 12.3 7.5 5.5 15.1 4

Multiple parts ............................... 100.0 14.0 11.0 18.6 11.6 12.4 7.4 25.1 8

See footnotes at end of table.
TABLE 9. Percent distribution of nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses involving days away from work1 by selected injury

or illness characteristics and number of days away from work, 1997 — Continued

Characteristic Total

cases

Percent of cases involving Median

days

away

from work 1 day 2 days 3 to 5

days

6 to 10

days

11 to 20

days

21 to 30

days

31 days

or more

Source of injury or illness:

Chemicals and chemical

products .................................... 100.0 32.3 18.0 20.6 11.1 7.1 3.9 7.0 2

Containers ................................... 100.0 14.8 12.0 22.4 14.2 12.5 6.7 17.5 6

Furniture and fixtures .................. 100.0 18.6 14.6 21.8 12.6 11.2 6.2 15.0 5

Machinery .................................... 100.0 16.9 12.8 18.7 14.0 13.0 7.3 17.2 6

Parts and materials ..................... 100.0 19.1 12.8 21.2 12.9 11.3 5.7 17.0 5

Worker motion or position ........... 100.0 12.3 10.8 19.0 14.1 13.2 7.8 22.8 8

Floors, walkways, ground

surfaces ..................................... 100.0 13.0 11.4 18.8 12.0 11.8 8.0 24.9 8

Tools, instruments, and

equipment ................................. 100.0 22.2 16.0 20.8 13.7 9.8 5.2 12.3 4

Vehicles ....................................... 100.0 13.5 12.1 18.8 13.2 12.6 8.0 21.9 7

Health care patient ...................... 100.0 15.6 16.7 23.6 14.7 11.0 4.9 13.6 4

Event or exposure leading to

injury or illness:

Contact with objects and

equipment ................................. 100.0 23.5 15.3 20.5 12.2 9.9 5.6 13.0 4

Struck by object ......................... 100.0 22.9 15.6 20.9 12.9 9.3 5.5 12.9 4

Struck against object ................. 100.0 22.2 15.2 21.8 12.8 10.5 5.3 12.1 4

Caught in equipment or object .. 100.0 17.6 12.3 18.2 12.1 13.0 8.1 18.7 6

Fall to lower level ........................ 100.0 10.7 10.0 16.0 12.1 10.8 9.7 30.7 12

Fall on same level ....................... 100.0 14.4 12.0 20.3 11.9 12.1 7.3 22.1 7

Slip, trip, loss of

balance—without fall ................. 100.0 13.5 14.0 20.0 14.6 11.2 8.8 17.8 6

Overexertion ................................ 100.0 13.1 12.5 21.8 14.3 13.0 6.6 18.6 6

Overexertion in lifting ................ 100.0 13.1 12.3 22.1 14.6 13.2 6.6 18.0 6

Repetitive motion ........................ 100.0 7.9 6.8 12.9 12.3 15.9 10.0 34.1 17

Exposure to harmful

substances ................................ 100.0 29.3 16.9 22.4 11.9 8.5 4.1 7.0 3

Transportation accidents ............. 100.0 12.5 10.1 17.4 13.2 13.1 8.1 25.6 10

Fires and explosions ................... 100.0 15.3 10.7 25.5 11.9 11.3 9.7 15.6 5

Assaults and violent acts by

person ....................................... 100.0 15.3 15.4 25.1 12.5 10.1 3.8 17.8 5

1 Days-away-from-work cases include those which result in days away

from work with or without restricted work activity. 

NOTE: Because of rounding, percentages may not add to 100. 

SOURCE: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor 
TABLE 10. Percent distribution of nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses involving days away from work1 by industry

division and number of days away from work, 1997

Industry Total

cases

Percent of cases involving Median

days

away

from work 1 day 2 days 3 to 5

days

6 to 10

days

11 to 20

days

21 to 30

days

31 days

or more

Private industry2 [1,833,380 cases] ...... 100.0 16.6 13.0 20.4 13.1 11.7 6.7 18.5 5

Goods producing:

Agriculture, forestry, and fishing2 ....... 100.0 17.0 11.3 23.0 14.1 12.3 6.6 15.6 5

Mining3 ............................................... 100.0 7.1 7.4 13.6 15.1 9.3 13.0 34.4 18

Construction ....................................... 100.0 14.7 11.4 18.1 12.5 11.5 7.8 24.0 8

Manufacturing .................................... 100.0 19.7 12.9 18.8 12.4 11.5 6.6 18.1 5

Durable goods .................................. 100.0 20.4 13.0 18.6 12.3 11.1 6.5 18.2 5

Nondurable goods ............................ 100.0 18.3 12.8 19.3 12.4 12.4 6.7 18.0 5

Service producing:

Transportation and public utilities3 ..... 100.0 12.8 10.4 19.4 15.1 12.7 7.9 21.9 8

Wholesale trade ................................. 100.0 15.9 12.9 20.8 12.7 12.6 6.9 18.2 6

Retail trade ......................................... 100.0 16.0 14.4 23.2 12.5 11.5 6.0 16.4 5

Finance, insurance, and real estate ... 100.0 15.1 13.2 21.6 12.7 10.1 6.8 20.5 6

Services ............................................. 100.0 17.5 14.7 21.2 13.6 11.5 5.7 15.9 5

1 Days-away-from-work cases include those which result in days away

from work with or without restricted work activity. 2 Excludes farms with fewer than 11 employees. 3 Data conforming to OSHA definitions for mining operators in coal,

metal, and nonmetal mining and for employers in railroad transportation

are provided to BLS by the Mine Safety and Health Administration, U.S.

Department of Labor; and by the Federal Railroad Administration, U.S.

Department of Transportation. Independent mining contractors are

excluded from the coal, metal, and nonmetal industries. 

NOTE: Because of rounding, percentages may not add to 100. 

SOURCE: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor