2009 Nonfatal Occupational Injuries 

and Illnesses: Private Industry, State 

Government, and Local Government

Case and Demographics

November 9, 2010
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, November 2010 Chart 1

Local and state government both had much higher rates than in private industry. Local government had a rate of 185 injuries and illnesses per 10,000 full-time 

workers and state government had a rate of 180. Private industry had a rate of 106. 

Rate of injuries and illnesses with days away from work, 

by ownership, 2009

Number of injuries and illnesses with days away from work,

by ownership, 2009

Local Government

State Government

Private Industry

All Ownerships

Rate per 10,000 full-time workers

0 25 50 75 100 125 150 175 200

117

106

180

185

Local Government

State Government

Private Industry

All Ownerships

Number of cases

0 200,000 400,000 600,000 800,000 1,000,000 1,200,000 1,400,000

1,238,490

964,990

75,840

197,660
Chart 2

Number of injuries and illnesses with days away from work,

private industry, 2003-2009

In 2009, the number of injuries and illnesses with days away from work declined 10.5 percent, the largest decline since 2003. Injuries and illnesses for goodsproducing industries declined by 22.6 percent, while in service-providing industries they declined by 5.6 percent.

908,310 850,930 840,580 803,060 809,420 766,250 723,680

407,610

408,400 394,090

380,440 349,450

311,890

241,310

0

200,000

400,000

600,000

800,000

1,000,000

1,200,000

1,400,000

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Goods-producing

Service-providing

Total cases with days

away from work

2003: 1,315,920

2004: 1,259,320

2005: 1,234,680

2006: 1,183,500

2007: 1,158,870

2008: 1,078,140 

2009: 964,990 

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, November 2010
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, November 2010 Chart 3

In 2009, the rate of injuries and illnesses from being struck by objects declined by 11.2 percent in private industry. Transportation accidents declined by 9.8 

percent. Total assaults, which includes assaults by animals and all other assaults, increased, as did injuries and illnesses from repetitive motion.

Percent change in incidence rate of injuries and illnesses

by selected events and exposures, private industry, 2008-2009

Below average 

Did not improve improvement Above average improvement

Assaults by animals

All other assaults

Repetitive motion

Total assaults

Fires and explosions

Slips or trips

Struck against object

Total overexertion

Fall at same level

All Private industry

Highway accident

Overexertion in lifting

Caught in object

Total contact with objects

Transportation accident

Struck by object

Percent change

20.0 15.0 10.0 5.0 0 -5.0 -10.0 -15.0

No Change

All events or exposures, -6.1%
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, November 2010 Chart 4

Twelve occupations had a total of 18,000 cases or more in private industry, state government, and local government. Of these, police and sheriff’s patrol 

officers had the highest rate of injuries and illnesses by far. Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers had the highest number of cases.

Number and incidence rate of injuries and illnesses for occupations

with 18,000 cases or more, all ownerships, 2009

Days-away-from-work rate

(All ownerships rate = 117)

Number of cases

(Total cases=1,238,490)

Number of cases

80,000 60,000 40,000 20,000 0

Maids and housekeeping cleaners

Correctional officers and jailers

General maintenance and

repair workers

Registered nurses

Construction laborers

Retail salespersons

Light or delivery truck drivers

Police and sheriff's patrol officers

Heavy and tractor-trailer

truck drivers

Janitors and cleaners,

except maids

Nursing aides, orderlies, 

and attendants

Laborers and freight, stock, and

material movers

Rate per 10,000 full-time workers

0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700

64,910

50,620

48,180

47,790

35,590

32,210

28,290

26,690

26,190

21,660

18,440

18,180

131

456

446

603

316

278

94

382

195

328

410

407
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, November 2010 Chart 5

In 2009, there were 9 occupations with at least 1/10 of one percent of full-time employment and had rates greater than 400 injuries and illnesses per 10,000 fulltime workers. Transit and intercity bus drivers had the highest rate of 736, followed by police and sheriff’s patrol officers.

Incidence rate and number of injuries and illnesses for occupations

with high incidence rates, all ownerships, 2009

Rate per 10,000 full-time workers

800 700 600 500 400 300 200 100 0

Laborers and freight, stock, and

material movers

Truck drivers, light or delivery

Refuse and recyclable

material collectors

Fire fighters

Correctional officers and jailers

Nursing aides, orderlies, 

and attendants

Emergency medical technicians

and paramedics

Police and sheriff's patrol officers

Transit and intercity bus drivers

Number of cases

0 20,000 40,000 60,000 80,000

736

603

511

456

446

442

436

410

407

9,800

50,620

14,210

18,440

35,590

9,440

32,210

64,910

4,690

Days-away-from-work rate

(All ownerships rate = 117)

Number of cases

(Total cases=1,238,490)
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, November 2010 Chart 6

Eight occupations had 20,000 or more cases in private industry in 2009. Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers had the largest number of cases, as 

they have for several years. Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers and nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants followed with very high numbers of cases.

Occupations with 20,000 or more injuries

and illnesses, private industry, 2006-2009

2006

2007

2008

2009

0

20,000

40,000

60,000

80,000

100,000
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, November 2010 Chart 7

These occupations are frequently employed in both the private and public sectors. Psychiatric aides had very high rates of injuries and illnesses in both private 

industry and state government. The source for a majority of these cases was health care patients.

Rates of injuries and illnesses for selected healthcare

and protective service occupations, by ownership, 2009

Private Industry

Local Government

State Government

Police and sheriff's patrol officers

Fire fighters

Psychiatric aides

Nursing aides, orderlies, and

attendants

Licensed practical and licensed

vocational nurses

Psychiatric technicians

Emergency medical technicians and

paramedics

Registered nurses

Rate per 10,000 full-time workers

0 200 400 600 800 1,000 1,200 1,400 1,600
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, November 2010 Chart 8

Teacher assistants had a much higher risk of injuries and illnesses than teachers in private industry and in local government. In private industry, teacher 

assistants had a rate of 162.9 cases per 10,000 full-time workers, higher than the rates for all other teachers shown here, and higher than the rate for all workers 

in private industry at 106.4. In local government, teacher assistants have a rate of 126.5, higher than the rates for other teachers, but lower than the rate for all 

local government workers (184.8).

Rates of injuries and illnesses for selected education

and transportation occupations, by ownership, 2009

Private Industry

Local Government

State Government

Light or delivery truck drivers 

Heavy and tractor-trailer

truck drivers

School bus drivers

Transit and intercity bus drivers

Teacher assistants

Special education teachers

Secondary school teachers

Elementary and middle

school teachers

Preschool and kindergarten teachers

Rate per 10,000 full-time workers

0 200 400 600 800 1,000 1,200
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, November 2010 Chart 9

Injury and illness cases in state government were split relatively evenly between men and women, even though there were more women employed in state 

government. In local government, men had 60 percent of cases despite only having 39 percent of employment. 

Distribution of injuries and illnesses with days away from work

and employment by gender, 2009

Female

38%

Male

62%

Female

48% Male

52%

Female

40%

Male

60%

Private Industry

Injuries and Illnesses

State Government

Injuries and Illnesses

Local Government

Injuries and Illnesses

52% 48%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

41%

59%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

39%

61%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

Employment

(Current Population Survey,

Wage and Salary workers)

Employment

(Current Population Survey,

Wage and Salary workers)

Employment

(Current Population Survey,

Wage and Salary workers)

Male Female
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, November 2010 Chart 10

In 2009, there were 125,790 injuries and illnesses among Hispanic or Latino workers. Hispanic or Latino workers made up 19.7 percent of

injuries and illnesses where race or ethnicity was reported. They suffered 53.2 percent of injuries and illnesses in natural resources, 27.7 percent in leisure and 

hospitality, and 25 percent in professional and business services. Race and ethnicity was not reported in one-third of private industry cases.

Number of injuries and illnesses and percentage of cases involving

Hispanic or Latino workers by industry, private industry, 2009

Cases involving Hispanic or Latino workers

30,000 20,000 10,000 0

Information

Other services

Financial activities

Natural resources

Professional and business

services

Education and health services

Leisure and hospitality

Construction

Manufacturing

Trade, transportation, and 

utilities

Percent of total cases where

race or ethnicity is reported

0.0 10.0 20.0 30.0 40.0 50.0 60.0

27,640

20,060

17,560

15,570

14,290

13,970

7,330

4,320

4,250

810

22.9

11.3

21.8

12.4

27.7

20.3

53.2

20.3

25.0

16.8
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, November 2010 Chart 11

Median days away from work is a key measure of severity of injuries and illnesses. Injuries and illnesses become more severe as age

increases, requiring 4 days away from work for workers aged 16 to 19 to 12 days for those workers 65 years old and older. The rates declined for all age groups 

in private industry from 2008, except for workers 35 to 44 years old and workers 65 years and older, where there was no significant change.

Median days away from work due to injuries and illnesses

and incidence rate by age of worker, all ownerships, 2009

Median days away from work

15 10 5 0

Rate per 10,000 full-time workers

0 50 100 150

12

11

10

9

6

5

4 106

114

109

123

123

117

106

16 to 19 years

20 to 24 years

25 to 34 years

35 to 44 years

45 to 54 years

55 to 64 years

65 and older

Days-away-from-work rate

(All ownerships rate = 117)

Median days away from work

(All ownerships median days= 8)
Chart 12 Chart 12

Each injury or illness is described from four viewpoints.

Nature of 

disabling 

condition A nursing aide

sprains her back

from 

overexertion

while lifting a 

patient.

Source 

directly 

producing 

disability

Part of 

body 

affected

Event or 

exposure

Injury and illness topology

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, November 2010
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, November 2010 Chart 13

Sprains and strains and bruises made up nearly half of all injuries and illnesses. Sprains and strains accounted for 493,170 injuries 

and illnesses in 2009. Bruises accounted for 113,280 injuries and illnesses. The number of cases for all natures of 

injuries and illnesses shown declined except for heat burns, which did not change significantly.

Distribution of injuries and illnesses by nature, all ownerships, 2009

Sprains, strains, 39.8%

Bruises and contusions, 9.1%

Cuts, lacerations, punctures, 7.9%

Soreness, pain, except back, 7.8%

Fractures, 7.3%

Multiple traumatic injuries, 4.2%

Back pain, hurt back, 3.4%

Heat burns, 1.4%

Carpal tunnel syndrome, 0.9%

Amputations, 0.5%

Chemical burns, 0.4%

Tendonitis, 0.3%

All other natures, 16.9%
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, November 2010 Chart 14

In 2009, fractures were the most severe nature of injuries and illnesses, having a median of 30 days away from work to recover, followed by carpal tunnel 

syndrome with 21 days and amputations with 20 days.

Median days away from work and incidence rate due to

injuries and illnesses by nature, all ownerships, 2009

Median days away from work

35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0

Chemical burns

Bruises and contusions

Cuts, lacerations,

punctures

Heat burns

All other natures

Back pain, hurt back only

Total multiple trauma

Soreness, pain, except back

Sprains, strains

Tendonitis

Amputations

Carpal tunnel syndrome

Fractures

Rate per 10,000 full-time workers

0 20 40 60

30

21

20

14

10

8

8

8

7

5

4

4

3

9

47

9

9

11

2

1

1

1

0

5

4

20

Days-away-from-work rate

(All ownerships rate = 117)

Median days away from work

(All ownerships median days= 8)
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, November 2010 Chart 15

Injuries and illnesses of the lower extremities accounted for 281,820 cases in 2009 a decline of 9.4 percent. Injuries and illnesses to 

upper extremities declined 8.2 percent to 265,980, and injuries to the back declined 10 percent to 242,380. This change in distribution of 

body parts injured caused back injuries to slip below 20 percent of all cases.

Distribution of injuries and illnesses by part of

body, all ownerships, 2009

Back,

19.6%

Trunk, except back,

13.2%

Total upper extremities,

21.5%

Total lower extremities,

22.8%

Multiple parts, 12.4%

Head, 6.5%

Neck, 1.3%

Body systems, 1.8%

All other parts, 0.8%
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, November 2010 Chart 16

Injuries to the shoulder took the most time to recover from, requiring a median of 22 days away from work. Wrist and knee injuries took a median of 14 days 

away from work to recuperate.

Median days away from work and incidence rate due to injuries and

illnesses by part of body, all ownerships, 2009

Median days away from work

25 20 15 10 5 0

Eyes

Total head

Hand

Finger

Neck

Total upper

extremities

Back

Ankle

Arm

Foot, toe

Multiple parts

Total lower

extremities

Total trunk

Knee

Wrist

Shoulder

Rate per 10,000 full-time workers

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45

22

14

14

10

10

9

8

8

8

7

7

6

5

5

3

2

8

3

2

39

23

8

25

9

5

5

27

11

5

15

5

6

Days-away-from-work rate

(All ownerships rate = 117)

Median days away from work

(All ownerships median days= 8)
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, November 2010 Chart 17

Four sources accounted for more than half of all nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses that resulted in days way from work: floors, walkways, and ground 

surfaces with 21.0 percent; worker motion or position with 13.9 percent; containers with 10.5 percent; and vehicles with 8.8 percent. 

Distribution of injuries and illnesses by source, all ownerships, 2009

Floors, walkways, and ground surfaces,

21.0%

Worker motion or position,

13.9%

Containers,

10.5%

Vehicles,

8.8%

Parts and materials,

7.7%

Health care patients,

5.6%

Machinery,

5.1%

Hand tools,

4.1%

Furniture,

4.0%

Chemicals, 1.4%

All Other,

18.0%
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, November 2010 Chart 18

Injuries and illnesses from worker motion had a median of 11 days away from work, followed by injuries from containers, floors, and vehicles, which each had a 

median of 10 days away from work to recover. Injuries and illnesses as a result of contact with floors had a very high rate.

Median days away from work and incidence rate due to

injuries and illnesses by source, all ownerships, 2009

Median days away from work

15 10 5 0

Chemicals

Hand tools

Furniture

Health care patients

Parts and materials

Machinery

Vehicles

Floors

Containers

Worker motion

Rate per 10,000 full-time workers

0 5 10 15 20 25

11

10

10

10

8

8

7

6

4

2 2

12

5

6

9

16

25

5

10

7

Days-away-from-work rate

(All ownerships rate = 117)

Median days away from work

(All ownerships median days= 8)
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, November 2010 Chart 19

Eighty-five percent of all injuries and illnesses were from three events: Bodily reaction and exertion, contact with objects and equipment, and falls.

Distribution of injuries and illnesses by event or

exposure, all ownerships, 2009

Contact with objects and equipment,

24.1%

Falls,

22.4%

Transportation accidents,

4.9%

Exposure to harmful substances,

4.4%

Assaults and violent acts, 4.2%

Fires and explosions, 0.2%

Other events, 1.3%

Bodily reaction and exertion,

38.5%
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, November 2010 Chart 20

In 2009, injuries and illnesses from repetitive motion had a median of 21 days away from work to recover, but had a fairly low rate of 3 per 10,000 full-time 

workers. Falls to lower level had a median of 13, higher than the median for all injuries and illnesses, and had a higher rate of 8 per 10,000 full-time workers.

Median days away from work and incidence rate due to injuries

and illnesses by event or exposure, all ownerships, 2009

Median days away from work

25 20 15 10 5 0

Exposure to harmful

substances

Struck against object

Struck by object

Assaults by person

Slips or trips

Fires and explosions

Fall on same level

Caught in object

Transportation accident

Overexertion in lifting

Fall to lower level

Repetitive motion

Rate per 10,000 full-time workers

0 5 10 15 20

21

13

10

10

9

9

9

8

8

5

5

3

14

8

5

8

18

4

13

3

5

6

0

4

Days-away-from-work rate

(All ownerships rate = 117)

Median days away from work

(All ownerships median days= 8)
Chart 21

From 2008 to 2009, the number of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) declined by 10.6 percent. MSDs accounted for 29.4 percent of total cases, the same 

percentage as in 2008. The rate of MSDs in 2009 was 31.3 per 10,000 full-time workers, a decline of 6.3 percent from 2008.

Number of musculoskeletal disorders, private

industry, 2003-2009

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, November 2010

435,180 cases

402,700 cases

375,540 cases

357,160 cases

335,390 cases

317,440 cases

283,800 cases

0

50,000

100,000

150,000

200,000

250,000

300,000

350,000

400,000

450,000

500,000

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

33.1% 

of total 

cases

32.0% 

of total 

cases

30.4% 

of total 

cases

30.2% 

of total 

cases

28.9% 

of total 

cases

29.4% 

of total 

cases

29.4% 

of total 

cases
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, November 2010 Chart 22

In 2009, the number of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in state government increased by 19.5 percent. Specific occupation groups in state government that 

increased include transportation and material moving occupations (up 46.0 percent) and service occupations (up 34.5 percent). Local government and private 

industry both had declines in the number of MSDs.

Number of musculoskeletal disorders,

by ownership, 2008-09

Rate of musculoskeletal disorders,

by ownership, 2008-09

2008

2009

Number of cases

0

50,000

100,000

150,000

200,000

250,000

300,000

350,000

2008

2009

per 10,000 full-time workers

0

10

20

30

40

50

60
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, November 2010 Chart 23

These ten occupations had at least 1/10 of 1 percent of total employment, and had incidence rates of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) of 100 per 10,000 fulltime workers or higher. Emergency medical technicians and paramedics, and nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants had the highest rates of MSDs in 2009. 

Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants; and laborers, freight, stock, and material movers had the highest numbers of MSD cases.

Incidence rate and number of injuries and illnesses

due to musculoskeletal disorders by selected

occupations, all ownerships, 2009

Rate per 10,000 full-time workers

300 200 100

Nonrestaurant food servers

Janitors and cleaners

Highway maintenance workers

Fire fighters

Reservation and transportation 

ticket agents and travel clerks

Transit and intercity bus drivers

Number of MSDs

10,000 20,000 30,000 40,000

234

226

146

146

140

137

134

118

105

102

4,480

25,160

23,350

1,880

1,690

4,400

10,500

1,440

15,920

1,230

Emergency medical technicians

and paramedics

Nursing aides, orderlies, 

and attendants

Laborers and freight, stock, and

material movers

Light or delivery service

truck drivers

Days-away-from-work rate

(All ownerships rate = 33)

Number of MSDs

(Total MSDs=348,740)