2010 Nonfatal Occupational Injuries 

and Illnesses: Private Industry, State 

Government, and Local Government 

Case and Demographics 

November 9, 2011 
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, November 2011 Chart 1 

Local and state government both had much higher rates than in private industry. Local government had a rate of 181 injuries and 

illnesses per 10,000 full-time workers and state government had a rate of 175. Private industry had a rate of 108. 

Rate of injuries and illnesses with days away 

from work, by ownership, 2010

Local Government 

State Government 

Private Industry 

All Ownerships 

Rate per 10,000 full-time workers 

0 25 50 75 100 125 150 175 200

Number of injuries and illnesses with days away 

from work, by ownership, 2010

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 

118

108

175

181

1,191,100 

933,200 

69,490 

188,420 
Chart 2 

Number of injuries and illnesses with days away from work, 

private industry, 2003-2010

In 2010, the number of injuries and illnesses with days away from work in private industry declined 3.3 percent. 

Injuries and illnesses for goods-producing industries declined by 7.6 percent, while the number in service-providing 

industries was statistically unchanged. 

908,310 850,930 840,580 803,060 809,420 766,250 723,680 710,170 

407,610

408,400 394,090

380,440 349,450

311,890

241,310 223,020 

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 2010

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 

2010: 933,200 

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, November 2011 
Chart 3 

In 2010, the rate of injuries and illnesses overall did not change significantly from 2009. Slips and trips declined by 5.6 percent, 

while transportation accidents declined by 4.3 percent. Assaults by persons increased by 17.6 percent, and total assaults increased 

by 8 percent. Struck against object increased by 9.9 percent. 

Percent change in incidence rate of injuries and illnesses 

by selected events and exposures, private industry, 2009-2010

Assaults by person 

Struck against object 

Total assaults 

Exposure to harmful 

substances or environment 

Fall on same level 

Total overexertion 

All Private industry 

Highway accident 

Struck by object 

Transportation accident 

Slips or trips 

Percent change 

20.0 15.0 10.0 5.0 0 -5.0 -10.0 -15.0 

No change 

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, November 2011 

Increase in rate Decrease in rate 
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, November 2011 Chart 4 

Ten occupations had 20,000 or more cases in private industry, state government, and local government. Laborers and freight, stock, 

and material movers had the highest number of cases. Police and sheriff’s patrol officers and nursing aides, orderlies, and 

attendants had the highest rates of injuries and illnesses. 

Number of injuries and illnesses and incidence rate by occupation, 

 all ownerships, 2010 

Days-away-fromwork rate 

(All ownership 

rate = 118) 

Number of cases 

(Total=1,191,100) 

Number of cases 

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

Maids and housekeeping cleaners 

Maintenance and repair 

workers, general 

Retail salespersons 

Registered nurses 

Light or delivery truck drivers 

Police and sheriff's patrol officers 

Heavy and tractor-trailer 

truck drivers 

Janitors and cleaners, except 

 maids and housekeepers 

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

65,040 

53,030 

46,370 

43,940 

29,150 

28,200 

27,080 

26,620 

22,020 

20,940 

134

489

504

317

341

92

213

319

384

430
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, November 2011 Chart 5 

Eleven occupations had both large numbers of employees and a rate of injury or illness of 350 per 10,000 workers or higher. Transit 

and intercity bus drivers had the highest rate, followed by police and sheriff’s patrol officers, nursing aides, orderlies, and 

attendants, and refuse and recyclable material collectors. 

Incidence rate and number of injuries and illnesses for occupations 

with high incidence rates, all ownerships, 2010 

Days-away-fromwork rate 

(All ownership 

rate = 118) 

Number of cases 

(Total=1,191,100) 

Rate per 10,000 full-time workers 

800 700 600 500 400 300 200 100 0 

Correctional officers and jailer 

Highway maintenance workers 

Light or delivery truck drivers 

Fire fighters 

Nonrestaurant food servers 

Emergency medical technicians 

and paramedics 

Laborers and freight, stock, 

and material movers 

Refuse and recyclable material 

collectors 

Nursing aides, orderlies, 

and attendants 

Police and sheriff's 

patrol officers 

Transit and intercity 

bus drivers 

Number of cases 

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

615

504

489

485

430

416

404

401

384

384

384

8,360 

53,030 

12,610 

15,570 

29,150 

4,990 

4,730 

7,730 

28,200 

65,040 

5,030 
Chart 6 

Eight occupations had 18,000 or more cases in private industry in 2010. 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 large numbers of injuries 

and illnesses, private industry, 2007-2010

2007

2008

2009

2010

 0 

 20,000 

 40,000 

 60,000 

 80,000 

100,000 

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, November 2011 
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 state government, and high rates in private sector. The source for most of these cases was health care patients. 

Rates of injuries and illnesses for selected healthcare 

and protective service occupations, by ownership, 2010

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 

clinical nurses

Psychiatric technicians

Emergency medical technicians 

and paramedics

Registered nurses

Rate per 10,000 full-time workers

0 500 1,000 1,500 2,000 2,500 3,000

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, November 2011 
Chart 8 

Teacher assistants in local government had a relatively high rate of cases, 183 per 10,000 full-time employees, compared with a 

rate of 110 for private industry. Special education teachers in the private sector had a high rate compared to local government, 

89 compared with 30. Local government has higher rates for all of the transportation occupations shown, except light or 

delivery truck drivers, where the difference is not statistically significant. 

Rates of injuries and illnesses for selected education 

and transportation occupations, by ownership, 2010 

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 

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, November 2011 
Chart 9 

Injury and illness cases in state government were split relatively evenly between men and women, but men had a much higher rate. 

In local government, men had 60 percent of cases, and had a rate that was nearly double that of women. 

Distribution of injuries and illnesses with days away from work 

and employment by gender, 2010 

Female

39%

Male

61%

Female

46%

Male

54%

Female

40%

Male

60%

Private Industry 

Injuries and Illnesses 

State Government 

Injuries and Illnesses 

Local Government 

Injuries and Illnesses 

114 100

0

100

200

Incidence Rate 

(per 10,000 full-time employees) 

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, November 2011 

Incidence Rate 

(per 10,000 full-time employees) 

220

142

0

100

200

246

130

0

100

200

Incidence Rate 

(per 10,000 full-time employees) 
Chart 10

In 2010, there were 122,970 injuries and illnesses among Hispanic or Latino workers, statistically unchanged from 2009. Hispanic or 

Latino workers made up 20.2 percent of injuries and illnesses where race or ethnicity was reported. They suffered 57.5 percent of 

injuries and illnesses in natural resources, 28.7 percent in leisure and hospitality, and 26.3 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, 2010 

Cases involving Hispanic or Latino workers 

30,000 20,000 10,000 0 

Information

Other services 

Financial activities 

Natural resources 

Professional and business 

services 

Construction 

Education and health 

services 

Leisure and hospitality 

Manufacturing 

Trade, transportation, and 

utilities 

Percent of total cases 

0.0 10.0 20.0 30.0 40.0 50.0 60.0 

27,770 

21,230

16,440 

15,200 

13,380 

13,040 

7,970 

3,880 

3,230 

830

22.0 

12.0 

22.5 

12.8 

28.7 

21.3 

57.5 

15.1 

26.3 

17.8 

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, November 2011 
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 years old to 16 days for those workers 65 years old and 

older. The rate of injuries and illnesses increased for workers 16 to 19 years old, and for those 45 to 64 years old. 

Median days away from work due to injuries and illnesses 

and incidence rate by age of worker, all ownerships, 2010 

Median days away from work 

20 15 10 5 0 

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 years and older 

Rate per 10,000 full-time workers 

0 50 100 150

16

12

10

8 

6 

5 

4 117

114

106

118

130

120

104

Days-away-from-work rate 

(All ownerships rate = 118) 

Median days away from work 

(All ownerships median days = 8) 

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, November 2011 
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 2011 
Chart 13

Sprains and strains and bruises made up nearly half of all injuries and illnesses. Sprains and strains accounted for 474,000 injuries 

and illnesses in 2010. Tendonitis and total multiple trauma both had significant increases in the number of cases, although from a 

lower base. 

Distribution of injuries and illnesses by nature, all ownerships, 2010 

Sprain, strains 

39.8% 

Bruises 

8.4% Soreness, pain, except back 

7.8% 

Cuts, lacerations, punctures 

7.7% 

Fractures 

7.2% 

Total multiple trauma, 4.8% 

Back pain, hurt back only, 3.4% 

Heat burns, 1.4% 

Carpal tunnel syndrome, 0.8% 

Amputations, 0.5% 

Tendonitis, 0.4% 

Chemical burns, 0.4% 

All other nature, 17.3% 

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, November 2011 
Chart 14

In 2010, fractures were the most severe nature of injuries and illnesses, having a median of 28 days away from work to recover, 

followed by carpal tunnel syndrome with 27 days and amputations with 21 days. Sprains and strains had a relatively high rate, but a 

median days away of 10 days. 

Median days away from work and incidence rate due to 

injuries and illnesses by nature, all ownerships, 2010 

Chemical burns 

Bruises 

Cuts, lacerations, punctures 

Heat burns 

All other nature 

Back pain, hurt back only 

Soreness, pain, except back 

Total multiple trauma 

Sprain, strains 

Tendonitis 

Amputations 

Carpal tunnel syndrome 

Fractures 

Median days away from work 

35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 

28

27

21

14

10

9 

8 

8 

6 

5 

4 

4 

3 

Rate per 10,000 full-time workers 

0 20 40 60

9 

47

9 

9 

10

2 

1 

1 

1 

1 

6 

4 

20

Days-away-from-work rate 

(All ownerships rate = 118) 

Median days away from work 

(All ownerships median days = 8) 

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, November 2011 
Chart 15

Injuries and illnesses to the back declined by 6 percent in 2010 to 227,730, continuing the decline in their share of injuries and 

illnesses from 2009. Injuries and illnesses to upper body dropped 4.7 percent to 253,450. Injuries and illnesses to the lower body 

decreased by 2.7 percent to 274,210. 

Distribution of injuries and illnesses by part of body, 

all ownerships, 2010

Back 

19.1% 

Trunk, except back 

13.3% 

Total upper body 

21.3% 

Total lower body 

23.0% 

Multiple body parts 

12.7% 

Head, 6.4% 

Neck, 1.4% 

Body systems, 1.9% 

All other part, 0.7% 

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, November 2011 
Chart 16

Injuries to the shoulder took the most time away from work, requiring a median of 21 days away from work. Knee injuries took a 

median of 15 days, and wrist injuries took 14 days away from work to recuperate. 

Days-away-from-work rate 

(All ownerships rate = 118) 

Median days away from work 

(All ownerships median days = 8) 

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

illnesses by part of body, all ownerships, 2010

Median days away from work 

25 20 15 10 5 0 

Eyes 

Total head 

Hand

Finger 

Foot, toe 

Total upper 

Back 

Ankle 

Neck 

Arm

Multiple 

Total lower 

Total trunk 

Wrist 

Knee 

Shoulder 

Rate per 10,000 full-time workers 

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45

21

15

14

10

10

10

10

8 

8 

7 

7 

7 

5 

5 

2 

2 

8 

3 

2 

38

23

9 

25

9 

5 

5 

27

11

5 

15

5 

6 

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, November 2011 
Chart 17

Four sources accounted for more than half of all nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses that resulted in days away 

 from work: floors, walkways, and ground surfaces with 21.6 percent; worker motion or position with 13.9 percent; 

containers with 10.8 percent; and vehicles with 8.6 percent. Cases where the source of the injury or illness was a 

health care patient increased by 5 percent, to 72,750. 

Distribution of injuries and illnesses by source, all ownerships, 2010

Floors 

21.6% 

Worker motion 

13.9% 

Containers 

10.8% 

Vehicles 

8.6%

Parts and materials 

7.4% 

Health care patient 

6.1% 

Machinery 

4.9% 

Hand tools 

4.1% 

Furniture 

4.1% 

Chemicals 

1.4% 

All other 

17.1% 

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, November 2011 
Chart 18

Injuries and illnesses from worker motion had a median of 12 days away from work, followed by injuries from containers and from 

floors, 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, 2010 

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, November 2011 

Days-away-from-work rate 

(All ownerships rate = 118) 

Median days away from work 

(All ownerships median days = 8) 

Median days away from work 

15 10 5 0 

Chemicals 

Hand tools 

Furniture 

Health care patient 

Machinery 

Parts and materials 

Vehicles 

Floors 

Containers 

Worker motion 

Rate per 10,000 full-time workers 

0 5 10 15 20 25 30

12

10

10

9 

8 

7 

7 

6 

5 

3 2 

13

5 

6 

9 

16

26

5 

10

7 
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, 2010 

Contact with objects and 

equipment, 23.9%

Falls

22.7%

Transportation accidents

Exposure to harmful substances 4.7%

or materials, 4.4%

Assaults and violent acts, 4.1%

Fires and explosions, 0.3%

Other events, 1.1%

Bodily reaction and exertion

38.9%

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, November 2011 
Chart 20

In 2010, injuries and illnesses from repetitive motion had a median of 24 days away from work to recover, but had a fairly low rate 

of 4 per 10,000 full-time workers. Falls on the same level had a median of 8 days, the same as all injuries and illnesses, and had a 

higher rate of 18 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, 2010

Median days away from work Rate per 10,000 full-time workers

25 20 15 10 5 0 

Harmful exposure 

Struck against object

Struck by object 

Assaults by person 

Slips or trips 

Fall on same level 

Caught in object 

Transportation accident 

Overexertion in lifting 

Fall to lower level 

Fires and explosions 

Repetitive motion 

0 5 10 15 20

24

22

14

11

10

8 

8 

8 

7 

5 

5 

4 

14

8 

5 

7 

18

4 

13

4 

5 

6 

0 

4 

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, November 2011 

Days-away-from-work rate 

(All ownerships rate = 118 

Median days away from work 

(All ownerships median days = 8 
Chart 21

In 2010, the number of cases of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) was statistically unchanged from 2009. The rate in 2010 was 

32.8, an increase of 4.8 percent from 2009. 

Number of musculoskeletal disorders, private 

industry, 2004-2010

402,700 cases

375,540 cases

357,160 cases

335,390 cases

317,440 cases

283,800 cases 284,340 cases

0

50,000

100,000

150,000

200,000

250,000

300,000

350,000

400,000

450,000

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

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 

30.5% 

of total 

cases 

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, November 2011 
Chart 22

In 2010, the number of musculoskeletal disorders was statistically unchanged for private industry and local government. 

The number of MSD cases decreased by 9.7 percent in State government. The rate increased by 4.8 percent for private 

industry, but was statistically unchanged for State government and local government. 

Number of musculoskeletal 

disorders, by ownership, 2008-10

Private industry Local government

Rate of musculoskeletal 

disorders, by ownership, 2008-10

2008

2009

2010

(Number of cases)

 0

 50,000

100,000

150,000

200,000

250,000

300,000

350,000

State government

2008

2009

2010

(per 10,000 full-time workers)

 0

 10

 20

 30

 40

 50

 60

Private industry

State government

Local government

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, November 2011 
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 full-time workers or higher. Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants and emergency medical technicians 

and paramedics had the highest rates of MSDs in 2010. 

Incidence rate and number of injuries and illnesses due to 

musculoskeletal disorders by selected occupations, 

 all ownerships, 2010 

Janitors and cleaners, 

Except maids 

Maids and housekeeping 

cleaners 

Telecommunications line 

installers and repairers 

Highway maintenance workers 

Light or delivery truck drivers 

Transit and intercity bus drivers 

Laborers and freight, stock, 

and material movers 

Fire fighters 

Emergency medical technicians 

and paramedics 

Nursing aides, orderlies, and 

attendants 

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, November 2011 

Rate per 10,000 full-time workers 

300 200 100

Number of cases 

10,000 20,000 30,000 

249

238

155

155

131

125

118

113

110

100

27,020 

4,780 

4,890 

23,420 

1,640 

9,150 

1,450 

1,580 

6,750 

14,680 

Days-Away-fromWork rate 

(Total rate = 34) 

Number of MSDs 

(Total=346,400)