United States

Department

of Labor

Bureau of Labor Statistics Washington, D.C. 20212

Technical Information: (202) 691-6170 USDL 02-196

Media information: (202) 691-5902 For release: 10:00 A.M. EST

Internet address: http://stats.bls.gov/iif/home.htm Wednesday, April 10, 2002

LOST-WORKTIME INJURIES AND ILLNESSES: CHARACTERISTICS

AND RESULTING TIME AWAY FROM WORK, 2000

A total of 1.7 million injuries and illnesses in private industry required

recuperation away from work beyond the day of the incident in 2000, according to the

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U. S. Department of Labor. The number of these cases in

2000 was about the same as in 1999. Since 1992 (when the series started), there has been

a steady decline in the number of these lost worktime injuries and illnesses. (Table A

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

the past seven years for the 10 occupations that accounted for nearly one-third of such

cases in 2000.) Truck drivers have experienced the most injuries and illnesses with time

away from work since 1993.

Table A. Number of occupational injuries and illnesses (in 1,000s) involving time away from work for

selected occupations, 1994-2000

1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000

Total cases 2,236.6 2,040.9 1,880.5 1,833.4 1,730.5 1,702.5 1,664.0

Truck drivers 163.8 151.3 152.8 145.5 131.8 141.1 136.1

Laborers, nonconstruction 147.3 115.5 108.5 106.9 97.2 89.1 87.0

Nursing aides, orderlies 101.8 100.6 93.6 91.3 84.1 75.7 74.2

Construction laborers 55.7 43.5 43.7 45.8 44.1 46.5 45.4

Janitors and cleaners 60.6 52.6 46.9 45.8 44.2 43.4 40.7

Assemblers 53.0 55.5 44.0 44.3 43.3 40.0 38.9

Carpenters 37.4 35.0 33.5 37.1 33.0 35.0 38.3

Cooks 36.3 35.4 30.7 31.5 28.5 28.0 27.8

Cashiers 35.6 30.2 30.9 25.9 26.1 22.8 26.9

Registered nurses 29.6 27.8 28.9 27.3 25.0 25.7 24.5

This is the third in a series of three releases from the BLS safety and health series

for 2000. The first release, in August 2001, covered work-related fatalities from the 2000

National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries. In December 2001, a release based on
the Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses presented numbers and frequency

(incidence rates) by industry for nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses. This release

covers the case and demographic characteristics of days away from work cases. Days

away from work cases are one of two types of lost worktime cases. The other type is

cases of restricted work activity. The number of injuries and illnesses reported with only

restricted work activity, rather than days away recuperating, remained at over 1,000,000

cases in 2000, after increasing by nearly 70 percent during the previous eight-year period.

As in the preceding six years, more than 4 out of 10 injuries and illnesses

resulting in time away from work in 2000 were sprains or strains, most often involving

the back. The number of cases of sprains and strains declined by over 24 percent from

1994 to 2000, almost the same as the decline for all cases. From 1999 to 2000, the

number of lost worktime cases due to fractures and to back pain increased. The increase

to back pain cases came after an almost 32 percent decrease from 1994 to 1998.

Table B. Number of occupational injuries and illnesses (in 1,000s) involving time away from work by

selected nature of injury and illness, 1994-2000

 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000

Total cases 2,236.6 2,040.9 1,880.5 1,833.4 1,730.5 1,702.5 1,664.0

Sprains, strains 963.5 876.8 819.7 799.0 760.0 739.7 728.2

Bruises, contusions 212.0 192.1 174.9 165.8 153.1 156.0 151.7

Cuts, lacerations 164.6 153.2 133.2 133.6 137.6 132.4 121.3

Fractures 138.5 124.6 120.5 119.5 115.4 113.7 116.7

Back pain 62.2 59.0 52.0 48.7 42.4 43.2 46.1

Carpal tunnel syndrome 38.3 31.5 29.9 29.2 26.3 27.9 27.7

Heat burns 37.3 36.1 29.0 30.0 28.4 27.1 24.3

Tendonitis 25.2 22.1 17.4 18.0 16.9 16.6 14.4

Amputations 12.2 11.3 10.2 10.9 10.2 10.0 9.7

Chemical burns 16.5 13.9 11.6 12.2 11.7 11.6 9.4

Worker and case characteristics

Available characteristics of injured or ill workers include not only the occupation

and occupational group but also the gender and age of the worker, length of service with

the employer at the time of the incident, and race or ethnic origin (tables 1, 2, and 7).

Following are highlights of the 2000 findings for these worker traits:

• Men accounted for nearly two out of three of the 1.7 million cases, a

proportion somewhat higher than their share (59 percent) of the hours worked

by all private wage and salary workers.

• Workers aged 24 and under accounted for over 14 percent of the cases and

almost 15 percent of the total hours worked by all private wage and salary

workers. Workers aged 25 to 44 accounted for 55 percent of the cases and 53

percent of the hours worked. Workers aged 45 and older accounted for 30

percent of the cases and 32 percent of the hours worked.
• Operators, fabricators, and laborers led all other occupational groups in

number of cases, accounting for 41 percent of the total. This group includes 4

of the 10 individual jobs from table A – truck drivers; laborers,

nonconstruction; construction laborers; and assemblers. Together, these four

occupations accounted for 307,300 injuries and illnesses with time away from

work (table 3).

• Almost 6 out of 10 workers had at least a year of service with their employer

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

five years of service, suggesting that many experienced workers incur lost

worktime injuries.

Case characteristics help identify the disabling condition leading to lost worktime

and how the event or exposure occurred. The survey uses four characteristics to describe

each disabling injury or illness (tables 4-6 and 9). 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 2000 findings for these characteristics:

• Sprain and strain was, by far, the leading nature, or physical effect, of injury

and illness in every major industry division, ranging from over 33 percent in

agriculture, forestry, and fishing to over 50 percent in services and 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, except for agriculture,

forestry, and fishing. Most other injuries and illnesses were to upper or lower

extremities.

• Overexertion while maneuvering objects and contact with objects and

equipment led all other disabling events or exposures in every major industry

division except services and finance, insurance, and real estate. Each of these

events was cited in over one-quarter of the cases.

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

about 14 to 17 percent each of the case total: floors and other surfaces, worker

motion or position, and containers.

The U. S. Department of Labor defines a musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) as an

injury or disorder of the muscles, nerves, tendons, joints, cartilage, and spinal discs.

MSDs do not include disorders caused by slips, trips, falls, motor vehicle accidents, or

similar accidents. Table C presents the number of such disorders by major industry

division, and table D presents the occupations with the most musculoskeletal disorders in

2000.
• Over 577,800 musculoskeletal disorders were reported, accounting for more

than one out of three of the injuries and illnesses involving recuperation away

from work. Although both total injuries and illnesses with days away from

work and MSDs have decreased since 1992, MSDs continue to account for

more than one in three of the total lost worktime cases (table E).

• About 26 percent of musculoskeletal disorders occurred in the services

industries, followed by manufacturing industries with 24 percent and retail

trade with 15 percent.

• Three occupations – truck drivers; nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants; and

laborers, nonconstruction - together accounted for one out of five

musculoskeletal disorders.

Injury and illness severity

Besides identifying high risk situations, the survey also focuses on the types of

injuries and illnesses that result in the longest absences from work (tables 7-10). 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 lost

workdays for all cases was 6 days in 2000, with over 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 (27 days), fractures (20 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 19 days. The median days for this event had steadily

declined from a high of 20 days in 1992 to a low of 15 days in 1998 before

increasing to 17 days in 1999.

• Not only do truck drivers suffer the most nonfatal injuries and illnesses, they

had the highest median days away from work - 9 days. Electricians also had a

median of 9 days, followed by construction laborers; carpenters; plumbers,

pipefitters, and steamfitters; and public transportation attendants (each with 8

days).

• Injuries to the wrist resulted in the longest absences from work – a median of

12 days. Injuries to the knee and shoulder had the next longest absences from

work – a median of 10 days each.
Table C. Number (in 1,000s) of work-related musculoskeletal disorders involving time

away from work and median days away from work by major industry division, 2000

 Number Median

 days away from work

Total musculoskeletal disorders 577.8 7

Agriculture, forestry, and fishing 7.8 8

Mining 4.5 20

Construction 54.2 10

Manufacturing 140.6 8

Transportation and public utilities 73.3 9

Wholesale trade 45.1 6

Retail trade 88.2 7

Finance, insurance, and real estate 13.5 7

Services 150.8 5

Table D. Number (in 1,000s) of work-related musculoskeletal disorders involving time

away from work and median days away from work by selected occupation, 2000

 Number Median

 days away from work

Total musculoskeletal disorders 577.8 7

Truck drivers 45.3 9

Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants 44.7 5

Laborers, nonconstruction 31.0 6

Assemblers 17.2 9

Janitors and cleaners 13.0 9

Registered nurses 12.1 4

Construction laborers 11.7 10

Cashiers 10.5 6

Carpenters 10.0 6

Stock handlers and baggers 9.9 5

Table E. Number (in 1,000s) of total and work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) involving

time away from work and percentage of total cases that are MSD cases, 1992-2000

Year Total MSDs Pct.

1992 2,331.1 784.1 33.6

1993 2,252.6 762.7 33.9

1994 2,236.6 755.6 33.8

1995 2,040.9 695.8 34.1

1996 1,880.5 647.4 34.4

1997 1,833.4 626.4 34.2

1998 1,730.5 592.5 34.2

1999 1,702.5 582.3 34.2

2000 1,664.0 577.8 34.7
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 2000 national survey marks the ninth 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 number of hours worked used for industry and case characteristics incidence

rates are collected in the Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses. Because this

survey does not collect hours worked for demographic characteristics, the hours used for

these data come from the Current Population Survey, which is conducted by the Bureau

of the Census for the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses continues to measure the

number of new work-related illness cases that are recognized, diagnosed, and reported

each year. In 2000, 80,000 of the 1.7 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 that are easier to directly relate to workplace activity (e.g., contact

dermatitis or carpal tunnel syndrome).

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) include cases where the nature of

the injury or illness is sprains, strains, tears; back pain, hurt back; soreness, pain, hurt,

except the back; carpal tunnel syndrome; hernia; or musculoskeletal system and

connective tissue diseases and disorders and when the event or exposure leading to the

injury or illness is bodily reaction/bending, climbing, crawling, reaching, twisting;

overexertion; or repetition. Cases of Raynaud’s phenomenon, tarsal tunnel syndrome,

and herniated spinal discs are not included. Although these cases may be considered

MSDs, the survey classifies these cases in categories that also include non-MSD cases.

The survey is a Federal/State program (50/50 funded) in which employer reports

are collected from about 176,000 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 are provided by the
U. S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration and the U. S.

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

employers 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 number 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 2000 incidence rate for all occupational injuries and illnesses of 6.1 per

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

0.6 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 at a later date.

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, 2000

(thousands)

Characteristic Private

industry2

Goods producing Service producing

Agriculture,

forestry,

and

fishing2

Mining3 Construction

Manufacturing

Transportation and

public

utilities3

Wholesale

trade

Retail

trade

Finance,

insurance,

and real

estate

Services

Total cases ...................................... 1,664.0 37.3 14.1 194.4 376.6 207.0 125.6 281.3 39.5 388.3

Sex:

Male ............................................ 1,097.1 29.7 13.8 189.9 281.0 160.9 106.4 153.1 18.9 143.4

Female ........................................ 555.7 7.5 .2 4.4 95.0 40.0 19.0 124.8 20.5 244.3

Age:4

14 - 15 ......................................... .6 5 () – – 5 ( ) – – .3 5 ( ) .1

16 - 19 ......................................... 54.1 1.9 .4 4.9 7.8 3.6 2.6 23.3 .6 9.2

20 - 24 ......................................... 186.3 6.4 1.6 24.4 37.8 18.2 15.6 42.2 3.7 36.3

25 - 34 ......................................... 430.9 11.4 3.5 57.5 97.0 54.1 34.9 67.9 8.7 96.0

35 - 44 ......................................... 481.3 8.3 3.5 60.6 114.3 66.1 37.7 69.2 10.6 110.9

45 - 54 ......................................... 325.8 5.9 3.5 31.7 78.0 44.0 22.8 45.4 9.3 85.2

55 - 64 ......................................... 142.5 2.5 1.3 10.8 34.9 17.4 9.5 22.8 5.4 38.1

65 and over ................................. 25.3 .5 .1 1.3 3.9 2.3 1.4 7.3 .9 7.7

Occupation:

Managerial and professional

specialty .................................... 99.1 .8 .3 2.5 5.6 3.5 5.2 10.8 4.9 65.5

Technical, sales, and

administrative support ............... 254.7 1.8 .2 2.8 20.8 29.7 18.9 96.1 16.7 67.5

Service ........................................ 278.1 .8 5 ( ) .4 6.7 12.8 1.9 70.4 9.3 175.8

Farming, forestry, and fishing ...... 41.5 28.8 – .3 2.2 .4 1.3 1.2 2.4 5.0

Precision production, craft, and

repair ......................................... 299.0 1.3 7.6 119.3 65.7 28.1 16.2 29.4 3.8 27.5

Operators, fabricators, and

laborers ..................................... 684.4 3.6 5.6 68.4 273.5 131.9 81.6 72.7 2.3 44.9

Length of service with employer:

Less than 3 months ..................... 215.6 9.0 2.6 37.6 42.2 14.7 16.1 43.5 3.6 46.4

3 - 11 months .............................. 308.6 8.4 2.9 40.4 61.5 26.1 26.4 62.0 6.9 74.0

1 - 5 years ................................... 524.8 11.2 3.8 62.9 112.6 57.5 40.3 90.9 13.7 131.7

More than 5 years ....................... 404.8 6.5 3.9 36.6 119.1 58.2 30.4 51.6 10.4 88.1

Not reported ................................ 210.2 2.2 .8 16.9 41.1 50.6 12.4 33.2 4.9 48.0

Race or ethnic origin:

White, non-Hispanic .................... 827.5 15.8 4.9 119.1 200.3 76.4 68.5 142.6 18.9 180.9

Black, non-Hispanic .................... 139.3 1.3 .1 9.1 30.7 16.5 10.1 21.2 3.3 46.8

Hispanic ...................................... 186.0 14.8 1.3 26.6 45.5 12.3 15.1 27.6 4.6 38.3

Asian or Pacific Islander .............. 25.9 .4 – 1.4 6.3 1.8 2.3 4.5 .7 8.5

American Indian or Alaskan

Native ........................................ 7.0 .1 5 ( ) 1.1 1.5 .5 .4 1.1 .3 2.0

Not reported ................................ 478.4 4.9 7.7 37.2 92.2 99.6 29.1 84.4 11.7 111.7

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 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, 2000

Characteristic Private

industry 2

Goods producing Service producing

Agriculture,

forestry,

and

fishing2

Mining3 Construction

Manufacturing

Transportation and

public

utilities3

Wholesale

trade

Retail

trade

Finance,

insurance,

and real

estate

Services

Total [1,664,018 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 79.9 98.3 97.7 74.6 77.7 84.8 54.4 47.8 36.9

Female ........................................ 33.4 20.1 1.7 2.3 25.2 19.3 15.1 44.4 51.8 62.9

Age:4

14 - 15 ......................................... 5 ( ) .1 – – 5 ( ) – – .1 .1 5 ( )

16 - 19 ......................................... 3.3 5.0 2.8 2.5 2.1 1.7 2.1 8.3 1.6 2.4

20 - 24 ......................................... 11.2 17.3 11.4 12.6 10.0 8.8 12.4 15.0 9.4 9.4

25 - 34 ......................................... 25.9 30.5 24.8 29.6 25.8 26.1 27.8 24.1 21.9 24.7

35 - 44 ......................................... 28.9 22.4 24.9 31.2 30.4 31.9 30.0 24.6 26.8 28.6

45 - 54 ......................................... 19.6 15.9 25.2 16.3 20.7 21.3 18.1 16.1 23.5 21.9

55 - 64 ......................................... 8.6 6.6 9.0 5.6 9.3 8.4 7.5 8.1 13.6 9.8

65 and over ................................. 1.5 1.3 .4 .7 1.0 1.1 1.1 2.6 2.3 2.0

Occupation:

Managerial and professional

specialty .................................... 6.0 2.0 2.5 1.3 1.5 1.7 4.1 3.8 12.4 16.9

Technical, sales, and

administrative support ............... 15.3 5.0 1.3 1.5 5.5 14.3 15.1 34.2 42.3 17.4

Service ........................................ 16.7 2.2 .1 .2 1.8 6.2 1.5 25.0 23.5 45.3

Farming, forestry, and fishing ...... 2.5 77.2 – .2 .6 .2 1.0 .4 5.9 1.3

Precision production, craft, and

repair ......................................... 18.0 3.5 54.0 61.4 17.5 13.6 12.9 10.4 9.7 7.1

Operators, fabricators, and

laborers ..................................... 41.1 9.6 39.9 35.2 72.6 63.7 65.0 25.8 5.7 11.6

Length of service with employer:

Less than 3 months ..................... 13.0 24.1 18.5 19.3 11.2 7.1 12.8 15.5 9.2 12.0

3 - 11 months .............................. 18.5 22.5 20.9 20.8 16.3 12.6 21.0 22.0 17.4 19.1

1 - 5 years ................................... 31.5 30.0 27.2 32.4 29.9 27.8 32.1 32.3 34.7 33.9

More than 5 years ....................... 24.3 17.4 27.9 18.8 31.6 28.1 24.2 18.4 26.4 22.7

Not reported ................................ 12.6 6.0 5.5 8.7 10.9 24.4 9.9 11.8 12.3 12.4

Race or ethnic origin:

White, non-Hispanic .................... 49.7 42.5 34.6 61.3 53.2 36.9 54.6 50.7 47.8 46.6

Black, non-Hispanic .................... 8.4 3.5 1.0 4.7 8.2 8.0 8.0 7.6 8.4 12.1

Hispanic ...................................... 11.2 39.6 9.3 13.7 12.1 5.9 12.0 9.8 11.6 9.9

Asian or Pacific Islander .............. 1.6 1.0 – .7 1.7 .9 1.8 1.6 1.7 2.2

American Indian or Alaskan

Native ........................................ .4 .3 .1 .5 .4 .2 .3 .4 .8 .5

Not reported ................................ 28.8 13.1 54.9 19.1 24.5 48.1 23.2 30.0 29.6 28.8

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 Information is not shown separately 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, 2000

(thousands)

Occupation Private

industry2

Goods producing Service producing

Agriculture,

forestry,

and

fishing2

Mining3 Construction

Manufacturing

Transportation and

public

utilities3

Wholesale

trade

Retail

trade

Finance,

insurance,

and real

estate

Services

Total cases ...................................... 1,664.0 37.3 14.1 194.4 376.6 207.0 125.6 281.3 39.5 388.3

Truckdrivers .................................... 136.1 1.2 .6 6.3 11.8 70.6 22.3 13.4 .2 9.7

Laborers, nonconstruction ............... 87.0 .4 1.7 – 27.7 6.9 24.2 15.3 1.2 9.5

Nursing aides, orderlies .................. 74.2 – – – – – – – .5 73.6

Construction laborers ...................... 45.4 – – 44.7 .1 .2 – – .1 .3

Janitors and cleaners ...................... 40.7 .6 4 ( ) .4 5.8 1.3 1.2 5.0 5.7 20.7

Assemblers ..................................... 38.9 .1 4 ( ) .3 34.1 .1 1.8 1.0 – 1.4

Carpenters ...................................... 38.3 – 4 ( ) 30.2 2.6 .4 .6 1.2 .3 2.9

Cooks .............................................. 27.8 – – – .1 .2 – 18.3 .6 8.5

Cashiers .......................................... 26.9 – – – .1 .1 .3 24.5 .1 1.8

Registered nurses ........................... 24.5 – – – 4 ( ) – – – .2 24.3

Sales workers, other commodities .. 24.1 .1 – – .2 .1 .8 20.3 .1 2.5

Supervisors and proprietors ............ 24.1 – – .1 .3 .1 2.4 19.6 .4 1.1

Stock handlers and baggers ........... 23.8 .1 4 ( ) – 1.3 .1 2.0 19.9 4 ( ) .3

Welders and cutters ........................ 21.9 .1 .2 2.2 16.4 .7 1.5 – – .8

Maids and housemen ...................... 21.7 – – – .1 .1 – .1 .7 20.8

Miscellaneous food preparation ...... 19.4 .1 – – .1 .1 .1 13.2 .2 5.7

Shipping and receiving clerks ......... 17.8 – – .1 5.1 5.6 2.1 4.1 4 ( ) .6

Electricians ...................................... 16.8 4 ( ) .3 12.5 2.0 .6 .2 – 4 ( ) 1.0

Groundskeepers and gardeners,

except farm ................................... 16.0 7.9 – .3 .3 .1 .2 .8 2.3 4.2

Mechanics, automobile ................... 15.9 – – .1 .1 .3 .4 10.8 4 ( ) 4.0

Farm workers .................................. 14.0 12.9 – – .3 .2 .5 – – .2

Driver-sales workers ....................... 13.9 – 4 ( ) – 2.9 .6 6.1 3.0 – 1.2

Kitchen workers ............................... 13.1 – – – 4 ( ) – .2 11.8 4 ( ) 1.1

Industrial truck operators ................. 12.8 .3 .5 .4 4.9 2.4 2.7 1.1 – .5

Plumbers, pipefitters, and

steamfitters .................................... 12.2 .1 – 9.8 1.0 .6 .1 – – .6

Repairers, industrial machinery ....... 12.1 – 1.1 .2 8.8 .2 .9 .1 .1 .7

Licensed practical nurses ................ 10.8 – – – – – – .1 .1 10.6

Mechanics, bus, truck, stationary

engine ........................................... 10.8 .3 .1 .5 1.0 3.5 2.7 .8 .1 1.9

Guards and police, except public .... 10.6 – – – .2 .1 .1 1.5 .5 8.1

Stock and inventory clerks .............. 10.4 .1 4 ( ) .1 2.2 .6 1.8 4.2 4 ( ) 1.4

Supervisors, production workers ..... 10.2 – .1 – 7.3 .9 .6 .6 4 ( ) .5

Waiters and waitresses ................... 10.0 – – – – – .2 6.7 .1 3.1

Health aides, except nursing ........... 10.0 – – – – – – .1 .1 9.8

Packaging, filling machine

operators ....................................... 9.7 .1 – – 8.9 .1 .3 .1 – .2

Attendants, public transportation ..... 9.0 – – – – 9.0 – – – –

Heating, air conditioning, and

refrigeration mechanics ................. 8.3 – – 6.0 .2 .1 .4 .7 4 ( ) .9

Painters ........................................... 8.1 – .1 5.8 .5 .1 .4 – .4 .6

Butchers and meat cutters .............. 7.6 .1 – – 2.2 – .7 4.6 – –

Bus drivers ...................................... 7.6 – – – – 6.0 – – 4 ( ) 1.5

Hand packers and packagers ......... 7.3 .1 – – 3.5 .2 1.7 1.3 – .6

General office clerks ....................... 7.2 4 ( ) 4 ( ) .1 .5 .7 .6 .9 1.6 2.8

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, 2000

(thousands)

Characteristic Private

industry2

Goods producing Service producing

Agriculture,

forestry,

and

fishing2

Mining3 Construction

Manufacturing

Transportation and

public

utilities3

Wholesale

trade

Retail

trade

Finance,

insurance,

and real

estate

Services

Total cases ...................................... 1,664.0 37.3 14.1 194.4 376.6 207.0 125.6 281.3 39.5 388.3

Nature of injury or illness:

Sprains, strains ........................... 728.2 12.5 5.5 74.7 145.1 104.7 56.8 116.9 15.6 196.4

Bruises, contusions ..................... 151.7 3.4 1.6 15.4 32.4 21.6 12.1 29.2 2.7 33.4

Cuts, lacerations ......................... 121.3 3.4 1.0 17.5 32.7 8.4 8.8 30.8 1.8 17.1

Fractures ..................................... 116.7 3.7 1.8 21.5 26.2 11.6 10.0 19.1 3.2 19.6

Heat burns ................................... 24.3 .4 .2 2.7 6.0 .8 .9 8.8 .3 4.1

Carpal tunnel syndrome .............. 27.7 .2 .1 1.0 10.9 2.0 1.5 3.8 2.6 5.5

Tendonitis .................................... 14.4 .1 4 ( ) .9 5.8 1.1 .7 1.9 .6 3.3

Chemical burns ........................... 9.4 .1 4 ( ) 1.0 2.8 .8 .5 1.8 .2 2.1

Amputations ................................ 9.7 .7 .1 1.1 4.5 .4 1.0 1.2 .1 .5

Multiple traumatic injuries ............ 59.2 1.4 .9 8.2 11.8 6.8 4.4 10.6 1.4 13.7

Part of body affected by the

injury or illness:

Head ............................................ 110.3 3.2 1.2 15.1 28.4 12.5 7.8 17.6 2.4 22.1

Eye ............................................ 53.8 1.5 .3 8.1 18.0 4.5 3.8 7.1 .9 9.6

Neck ............................................ 28.6 .4 .3 2.4 5.6 5.6 2.0 4.0 .7 7.6

Trunk ........................................... 618.3 10.9 5.5 67.1 131.1 82.3 50.6 96.6 12.5 161.7

Shoulder .................................... 96.1 1.5 .5 10.5 23.9 13.8 7.1 14.9 2.2 21.6

Back .......................................... 411.1 7.1 3.2 42.7 79.4 54.4 34.6 64.6 8.6 116.5

Upper extremities ........................ 382.7 10.3 3.0 44.5 115.5 33.2 27.1 71.8 9.6 67.7

Wrist .......................................... 85.2 1.6 .5 6.9 24.6 8.4 6.4 14.5 4.1 18.3

Hand, except finger ................... 69.5 2.2 .5 10.3 19.7 5.4 5.1 14.6 1.2 10.3

Finger ........................................ 138.3 4.2 1.2 16.3 48.2 9.3 9.1 27.4 2.0 20.7

Lower extremities ........................ 347.7 8.8 3.0 46.4 66.1 49.6 26.4 60.9 8.1 78.3

Knee .......................................... 130.1 2.8 1.2 17.9 23.9 19.1 8.0 22.6 2.3 32.3

Foot, except toe ........................ 58.1 1.9 .6 8.1 12.7 7.0 5.3 11.8 1.4 9.5

Toe ............................................ 18.2 .3 .1 2.6 4.2 2.3 1.7 3.7 .5 2.8

Body systems .............................. 21.0 .5 .1 1.4 4.5 2.7 1.2 2.6 1.6 6.4

Multiple parts ............................... 145.6 2.9 1.0 15.8 23.6 19.9 9.8 26.5 4.3 41.7

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, 2000 — Continued

(thousands)

Characteristic Private

industry2

Goods producing Service producing

Agriculture,

forestry,

and

fishing2

Mining3 Construction

Manufacturing

Transportation and

public

utilities3

Wholesale

trade

Retail

trade

Finance,

insurance,

and real

estate

Services

Source of injury or illness:

Chemicals and chemical

products .................................... 25.4 0.5 0.8 1.9 7.9 2.2 1.6 3.7 0.6 6.3

Containers ................................... 240.1 2.9 .9 10.3 51.2 45.6 30.7 59.7 4.8 34.0

Furniture and fixtures .................. 56.4 .2 .1 3.2 9.8 4.4 3.3 15.2 2.0 18.3

Machinery .................................... 111.6 3.4 1.5 11.9 44.8 5.1 9.4 18.2 2.3 14.9

Parts and materials ..................... 182.5 3.2 3.3 45.0 67.7 17.7 13.1 18.5 1.3 12.7

Worker motion or position ........... 258.5 5.7 .7 27.5 70.4 29.7 17.2 38.0 9.0 60.3

Floors, walkways, ground

surfaces ..................................... 278.5 6.1 2.2 37.5 40.5 34.1 17.7 56.8 9.6 74.1

Tools, instruments, and

equipment ................................. 103.9 2.5 1.5 21.0 24.1 8.2 5.4 19.4 1.5 20.3

Vehicles ....................................... 138.8 3.0 .8 11.4 19.8 37.6 15.6 19.1 2.2 29.3

Health care patient ...................... 74.6 – – – 4 ( ) 1.5 – .5 .5 72.1

Event or exposure leading to

injury or illness:

Contact with objects and

equipment ................................. 443.6 11.6 5.7 62.7 128.5 46.2 35.9 80.3 6.7 65.9

Struck by object ......................... 225.0 5.8 3.2 34.5 54.1 24.9 19.1 44.1 3.3 35.9

Struck against object ................. 107.7 2.5 1.0 13.4 28.4 11.6 7.9 22.6 2.1 18.1

Caught in equipment or object .. 74.8 2.4 1.1 7.5 34.2 6.0 6.5 8.9 .6 7.7

Fall to lower level ........................ 95.3 2.9 1.1 24.4 12.7 13.7 7.4 13.1 2.8 17.3

Fall on same level ....................... 198.9 3.7 1.0 14.6 31.3 20.7 12.2 47.4 7.1 60.9

Slip, trip, loss of

balance—without fall ................. 52.8 1.3 .3 5.6 10.0 7.6 3.5 9.6 1.7 13.2

Overexertion ................................ 454.7 6.0 4.4 43.0 97.4 62.3 37.4 70.8 8.3 125.0

Overexertion in lifting ................ 256.7 3.5 1.9 23.5 51.2 35.2 22.9 48.5 4.6 65.3

Repetitive motion ........................ 68.3 .5 .1 2.8 30.6 4.5 3.9 8.7 4.6 12.6

Exposure to harmful

substances ................................ 69.1 1.8 .5 6.5 18.3 6.7 3.4 13.6 1.8 16.5

Transportation accidents ............. 73.0 2.1 .2 8.0 7.6 18.5 8.0 7.9 1.7 19.0

Fires and explosions ................... 3.7 .2 .1 1.0 .8 .2 .2 .7 .1 .5

Assaults and violent acts by

person ....................................... 18.4 – – .3 .4 .8 .2 3.4 .4 12.8

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 5. Percent distribution of nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses involving days away from work1 by selected injury or

illness characteristics and industry division, 2000

Characteristic Private

industry 2

Goods producing Service producing

Agriculture,

forestry,

and

fishing2

Mining3 Construction

Manufacturing

Transportation and

public

utilities3

Wholesale

trade

Retail

trade

Finance,

insurance,

and real

estate

Services

Total [1,664,018 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 ........................... 43.8 33.7 39.4 38.4 38.5 50.6 45.2 41.5 39.4 50.6

Bruises, contusions ..................... 9.1 9.1 11.3 7.9 8.6 10.4 9.6 10.4 6.8 8.6

Cuts, lacerations ......................... 7.3 9.0 6.9 9.0 8.7 4.1 7.0 10.9 4.5 4.4

Fractures ..................................... 7.0 10.0 12.8 11.1 6.9 5.6 8.0 6.8 8.1 5.0

Heat burns ................................... 1.5 1.1 1.3 1.4 1.6 .4 .7 3.1 .8 1.1

Carpal tunnel syndrome .............. 1.7 .6 .5 .5 2.9 1.0 1.2 1.3 6.7 1.4

Tendonitis .................................... .9 .3 .1 .5 1.5 .5 .6 .7 1.4 .9

Chemical burns ........................... .6 .3 .4 .5 .7 .4 .4 .7 .5 .5

Amputations ................................ .6 1.9 .9 .6 1.2 .2 .8 .4 .3 .1

Multiple traumatic injuries ............ 3.6 3.7 6.1 4.2 3.1 3.3 3.5 3.8 3.6 3.5

Part of body affected by the

injury or illness:

Head ............................................ 6.6 8.6 8.3 7.8 7.5 6.0 6.2 6.3 6.0 5.7

Eye ............................................ 3.2 4.0 1.9 4.2 4.8 2.2 3.0 2.5 2.3 2.5

Neck ............................................ 1.7 1.2 1.8 1.2 1.5 2.7 1.6 1.4 1.8 2.0

Trunk ........................................... 37.2 29.3 39.2 34.5 34.8 39.7 40.3 34.4 31.7 41.6

Shoulder .................................... 5.8 4.2 3.7 5.4 6.3 6.7 5.7 5.3 5.6 5.6

Back .......................................... 24.7 19.1 23.0 22.0 21.1 26.3 27.6 23.0 21.7 30.0

Upper extremities ........................ 23.0 27.6 21.3 22.9 30.7 16.0 21.6 25.5 24.2 17.4

Wrist .......................................... 5.1 4.3 3.4 3.6 6.5 4.0 5.1 5.1 10.4 4.7

Hand, except finger ................... 4.2 6.0 3.8 5.3 5.2 2.6 4.1 5.2 3.1 2.7

Finger ........................................ 8.3 11.3 8.8 8.4 12.8 4.5 7.3 9.7 5.1 5.3

Lower extremities ........................ 20.9 23.6 21.6 23.8 17.6 24.0 21.1 21.7 20.6 20.2

Knee .......................................... 7.8 7.4 8.2 9.2 6.3 9.2 6.4 8.0 5.7 8.3

Foot, except toe ........................ 3.5 5.1 4.0 4.2 3.4 3.4 4.2 4.2 3.4 2.4

Toe ............................................ 1.1 .9 .5 1.3 1.1 1.1 1.4 1.3 1.4 .7

Body systems .............................. 1.3 1.3 .5 .7 1.2 1.3 1.0 .9 4.1 1.7

Multiple parts ............................... 8.7 7.8 7.1 8.1 6.3 9.6 7.8 9.4 10.9 10.7

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, 2000 — Continued

Characteristic Private

industry 2

Goods producing Service producing

Agriculture,

forestry,

and

fishing2

Mining3 Construction

Manufacturing

Transportation and

public

utilities3

Wholesale

trade

Retail

trade

Finance,

insurance,

and real

estate

Services

Source of injury or illness:

Chemicals and chemical

products .................................... 1.5 1.3 5.7 1.0 2.1 1.0 1.3 1.3 1.4 1.6

Containers ................................... 14.4 7.8 6.2 5.3 13.6 22.0 24.5 21.2 12.1 8.8

Furniture and fixtures .................. 3.4 .6 .9 1.6 2.6 2.1 2.6 5.4 5.0 4.7

Machinery .................................... 6.7 9.2 10.6 6.1 11.9 2.5 7.5 6.5 5.9 3.8

Parts and materials ..................... 11.0 8.6 23.6 23.2 18.0 8.6 10.4 6.6 3.3 3.3

Worker motion or position ........... 15.5 15.4 4.7 14.2 18.7 14.3 13.7 13.5 22.9 15.5

Floors, walkways, ground

surfaces ..................................... 16.7 16.5 15.4 19.3 10.8 16.4 14.1 20.2 24.3 19.1

Tools, instruments, and

equipment ................................. 6.2 6.6 10.7 10.8 6.4 4.0 4.3 6.9 3.9 5.2

Vehicles ....................................... 8.3 8.0 5.5 5.9 5.3 18.1 12.4 6.8 5.7 7.5

Health care patient ...................... 4.5 – – – 4 ( ) .7 – .2 1.3 18.6

Event or exposure leading to

injury or illness:

Contact with objects and

equipment ................................. 26.7 31.2 40.1 32.3 34.1 22.3 28.6 28.5 16.9 17.0

Struck by object ......................... 13.5 15.6 22.9 17.7 14.4 12.0 15.2 15.7 8.3 9.3

Struck against object ................. 6.5 6.8 7.3 6.9 7.5 5.6 6.3 8.0 5.3 4.7

Caught in equipment or object .. 4.5 6.4 7.7 3.8 9.1 2.9 5.2 3.2 1.5 2.0

Fall to lower level ........................ 5.7 7.8 7.9 12.5 3.4 6.6 5.9 4.6 7.1 4.5

Fall on same level ....................... 12.0 9.8 7.2 7.5 8.3 10.0 9.7 16.9 18.0 15.7

Slip, trip, loss of

balance—without fall ................. 3.2 3.6 1.9 2.9 2.7 3.7 2.8 3.4 4.4 3.4

Overexertion ................................ 27.3 16.2 31.3 22.1 25.9 30.1 29.8 25.2 21.1 32.2

Overexertion in lifting ................ 15.4 9.4 13.6 12.1 13.6 17.0 18.2 17.2 11.7 16.8

Repetitive motion ........................ 4.1 1.4 .9 1.4 8.1 2.2 3.1 3.1 11.5 3.2

Exposure to harmful

substances ................................ 4.2 4.8 3.5 3.3 4.9 3.2 2.7 4.8 4.5 4.3

Transportation accidents ............. 4.4 5.6 1.6 4.1 2.0 9.0 6.4 2.8 4.4 4.9

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

Assaults and violent acts by

person ....................................... 1.1 – – .2 .1 .4 .2 1.2 .9 3.3

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, 2000

Characteristic Private

industry3

Goods producing Service producing

Agriculture,

forestry,

and

fishing3

Mining4 Construction

Manufacturing

Transportation and

public

utilities4

Wholesale

trade

Retail

trade

Finance,

insurance,

and real

estate

Services

Total [1,664,018 cases] ................... 181.1 246.3 244.7 318.9 204.9 312.2 186.4 161.9 58.3 139.6

Nature of injury or illness:

Sprains, strains ........................... 79.2 82.9 96.3 122.5 79.0 157.9 84.3 67.3 23.0 70.6

Bruises, contusions ..................... 16.5 22.4 27.8 25.2 17.6 32.5 17.9 16.8 4.0 12.0

Cuts, lacerations ......................... 13.2 22.2 16.8 28.6 17.8 12.7 13.1 17.7 2.6 6.1

Fractures ..................................... 12.7 24.6 31.3 35.3 14.2 17.5 14.9 11.0 4.7 7.1

Heat burns ................................... 2.6 2.7 3.3 4.5 3.3 1.3 1.3 5.1 5 ( ) 1.5

Carpal tunnel syndrome .............. 3.0 1.5 1.2 1.7 5.9 3.1 2.3 2.2 3.9 2.0

Tendonitis .................................... 1.6 5 ( ) 5 ( ) 1.6 3.1 1.6 1.1 1.1 5 ( ) 1.2

Chemical burns ........................... 1.0 5 ( ) 5 ( ) 1.6 1.5 1.2 5 ( ) 1.1 5 ( ) 5 ( )

Amputations ................................ 1.1 4.7 2.2 1.9 2.5 5 ( ) 1.4 5 ( ) 5 ( ) 5 ( )

Multiple traumatic injuries ............ 6.5 9.1 15.0 13.4 6.4 10.2 6.6 6.1 2.1 4.9

Part of body affected by the

injury or illness:

Head ............................................ 12.0 21.1 20.3 24.8 15.5 18.8 11.6 10.2 3.5 8.0

Eye ............................................ 5.9 9.8 4.6 13.4 9.8 6.8 5.6 4.1 1.4 3.5

Neck ............................................ 3.1 3.0 4.5 3.9 3.1 8.4 3.0 2.3 1.0 2.7

Trunk ........................................... 67.3 72.2 95.9 110.1 71.3 124.1 75.1 55.6 18.5 58.1

Shoulder .................................... 10.5 10.2 9.2 17.2 13.0 20.8 10.6 8.6 3.3 7.8

Back .......................................... 44.7 47.1 56.3 70.0 43.2 82.1 51.4 37.2 12.7 41.9

Upper extremities ........................ 41.7 68.1 52.2 73.0 62.9 50.1 40.2 41.4 14.1 24.3

Wrist .......................................... 9.3 10.6 8.3 11.4 13.4 12.6 9.4 8.3 6.1 6.6

Hand, except finger ................... 7.6 14.7 9.4 16.9 10.7 8.2 7.6 8.4 1.8 3.7

Finger ........................................ 15.1 27.8 21.5 26.7 26.2 14.0 13.6 15.8 3.0 7.4

Lower extremities ........................ 37.8 58.1 52.8 76.1 36.0 74.8 39.3 35.1 12.0 28.2

Knee .......................................... 14.2 18.2 20.1 29.4 13.0 28.9 11.9 13.0 3.4 11.6

Foot, except toe ........................ 6.3 12.6 9.9 13.3 6.9 10.5 7.9 6.8 2.0 3.4

Toe ............................................ 2.0 2.2 1.2 4.3 2.3 3.4 2.6 2.2 5 ( ) 1.0

Body systems .............................. 2.3 3.2 1.1 2.3 2.4 4.1 1.8 1.5 2.4 2.3

Multiple parts ............................... 15.8 19.1 17.3 25.9 12.8 30.0 14.6 15.3 6.4 15.0

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, 2000 — Continued

Characteristic Private

industry3

Goods producing Service producing

Agriculture,

forestry,

and

fishing3

Mining4 Construction

Manufacturing

Transportation and

public

utilities4

Wholesale

trade

Retail

trade

Finance,

insurance,

and real

estate

Services

Source of injury or illness:

Chemicals and chemical

products .................................... 2.8 3.3 14.0 3.2 4.3 3.3 2.4 2.1 5 ( ) 2.3

Containers ................................... 26.1 19.2 15.3 16.8 27.8 68.8 45.6 34.4 7.1 12.2

Furniture and fixtures .................. 6.1 1.4 2.2 5.2 5.3 6.6 4.9 8.7 2.9 6.6

Machinery .................................... 12.1 22.8 25.8 19.5 24.4 7.7 14.0 10.5 3.4 5.4

Parts and materials ..................... 19.9 21.2 57.7 73.9 36.8 26.7 19.5 10.6 1.9 4.6

Worker motion or position ........... 28.1 37.8 11.6 45.1 38.3 44.8 25.5 21.9 13.3 21.7

Floors, walkways, ground

surfaces ..................................... 30.3 40.6 37.6 61.4 22.0 51.4 26.2 32.7 14.2 26.6

Tools, instruments, and

equipment ................................. 11.3 16.3 26.2 34.5 13.1 12.4 8.0 11.1 2.3 7.3

Vehicles ....................................... 15.1 19.6 13.4 18.7 10.8 56.6 23.2 11.0 3.3 10.5

Health care patient ...................... 8.1 – – – 5 ( ) 2.3 – 5 ( ) 5 ( ) 25.9

Event or exposure leading to

injury or illness:

Contact with objects and

equipment ................................. 48.3 76.8 98.2 102.9 69.9 69.7 53.4 46.2 9.9 23.7

Struck by object ......................... 24.5 38.4 56.0 56.5 29.5 37.6 28.4 25.4 4.8 12.9

Struck against object ................. 11.7 16.8 17.9 21.9 15.5 17.6 11.7 13.0 3.1 6.5

Caught in equipment or object .. 8.1 15.7 18.8 12.2 18.6 9.1 9.7 5.1 5 ( ) 2.8

Fall to lower level ........................ 10.4 19.3 19.3 40.0 6.9 20.6 10.9 7.5 4.2 6.2

Fall on same level ....................... 21.6 24.2 17.7 24.0 17.0 31.2 18.1 27.3 10.5 21.9

Slip, trip, loss of

balance—without fall ................. 5.7 8.9 4.6 9.2 5.4 11.5 5.1 5.5 2.6 4.7

Overexertion ................................ 49.5 39.8 76.5 70.6 53.0 94.0 55.6 40.8 12.3 44.9

Overexertion in lifting ................ 27.9 23.2 33.2 38.6 27.9 53.1 34.0 27.9 6.9 23.5

Repetitive motion ........................ 7.4 3.4 2.2 4.6 16.6 6.8 5.9 5.0 6.7 4.5

Exposure to harmful

substances ................................ 7.5 11.8 8.6 10.7 10.0 10.1 5.0 7.8 2.6 6.0

Transportation accidents ............. 7.9 13.7 4.0 13.2 4.1 28.0 11.9 4.6 2.5 6.8

Fires and explosions ................... 5 ( ) 1.3 1.3 1.6 5 ( ) 5 ( ) 5 ( ) 5 ( ) 5 ( ) 5 ( )

Assaults and violent acts by

person ....................................... 2.0 – – 5 ( ) 5 ( ) 1.2 5 ( ) 2.0 5 ( ) 4.6

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, 2000

Characteristic Total

cases

Percent of days-away-from-work cases involving — Median

days

away

from work 1 day 2 days 3 - 5 days 6 - 10

days

11 - 20

days

21 - 30

days

31 days

or more

Total [1,664,018 cases] .................. 100.0 16.1 12.9 19.9 12.7 11.2 6.2 21.0 6

Sex:

Male ............................................ 100.0 16.0 12.6 19.6 12.7 11.3 6.4 21.4 6

Female ........................................ 100.0 16.3 13.5 20.8 12.7 10.8 5.9 20.1 5

Age:2

14 - 15 ......................................... 100.0 22.2 32.3 12.2 29.5 .5 3.0 .7 2

16 - 19 ......................................... 100.0 22.9 17.8 24.6 12.4 10.3 3.6 8.3 3

20 - 24 ......................................... 100.0 20.6 16.3 22.8 14.3 9.3 5.1 11.5 4

25 - 34 ......................................... 100.0 18.2 14.0 21.0 12.8 10.8 5.4 17.7 5

35 - 44 ......................................... 100.0 14.9 12.2 19.5 12.3 11.2 6.7 23.1 7

45 - 54 ......................................... 100.0 13.2 11.1 18.3 12.5 12.1 6.8 26.0 8

55 - 64 ......................................... 100.0 12.1 9.8 17.0 12.1 12.0 7.6 29.4 10

65 and over ................................. 100.0 10.5 10.1 16.5 12.4 11.7 9.5 29.5 11

Occupation:

Managerial and professional

specialty .................................... 100.0 18.5 14.0 21.6 12.0 10.9 5.1 17.9 5

Technical, sales, and

administrative support ............... 100.0 16.8 14.0 21.1 12.0 10.8 5.8 19.4 5

Service ........................................ 100.0 15.8 14.1 21.7 14.2 10.4 5.4 18.4 5

Farming, forestry, and fishing ...... 100.0 15.4 13.1 19.3 14.7 9.4 7.3 20.7 6

Precision production, craft, and

repair ......................................... 100.0 15.1 11.9 18.3 12.3 12.2 6.7 23.4 7

Operators, fabricators, and

laborers ..................................... 100.0 16.0 12.2 19.2 12.4 11.2 6.6 22.2 6

Length of service with employer:

Less than 3 months ..................... 100.0 18.3 14.0 21.3 13.3 10.1 4.6 18.5 5

3 - 11 months .............................. 100.0 17.5 14.6 20.9 13.0 10.1 5.8 18.1 5

1 - 5 years ................................... 100.0 16.4 13.6 20.3 12.3 10.7 6.1 20.6 5

More than 5 years ....................... 100.0 14.2 11.0 18.4 12.4 12.8 7.5 23.8 8

Race or ethnic origin:

White, non-Hispanic .................... 100.0 16.9 13.1 20.1 12.4 10.9 6.2 20.4 5

Black, non-Hispanic .................... 100.0 15.6 14.6 20.6 12.4 10.7 6.3 19.8 5

Hispanic ...................................... 100.0 14.4 12.6 18.7 13.2 10.7 6.3 24.1 7

Asian or Pacific Islander .............. 100.0 17.8 12.7 18.2 14.7 10.6 5.5 20.5 6

American Indian or Alaskan

Native ........................................ 100.0 15.3 13.7 21.2 12.6 12.4 5.2 19.7 5

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 for injured workers under age 14;

they accounted for fewer than 50 cases.

NOTE: Because of rounding and nonclassifiable responses,

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, 2000

Occupation Total

cases

Percent of days-away-from-work cases involving — Median

days

away

from work 1 day 2 days 3 - 5

days

6 - 10

days

11 - 20

days

21 - 30

days

31 days

or more

Total [1,664,018 cases] ................... 100.0 16.1 12.9 19.9 12.7 11.2 6.2 21.0 6

Truckdrivers .................................... 100.0 11.9 10.4 19.3 12.3 11.7 7.2 27.2 9

Laborers, nonconstruction ............... 100.0 17.6 12.9 21.4 13.3 11.3 5.9 17.7 5

Nursing aides, orderlies .................. 100.0 16.2 13.9 22.8 13.7 11.7 5.5 16.1 5

Construction laborers ...................... 100.0 12.7 12.5 19.4 11.7 11.4 7.3 25.0 8

Janitors and cleaners ...................... 100.0 16.6 10.8 19.9 13.5 11.5 6.1 21.7 6

Assemblers ..................................... 100.0 17.5 11.8 19.2 11.9 11.9 7.9 19.8 6

Carpenters ...................................... 100.0 15.8 11.9 14.6 12.6 13.1 7.5 24.5 8

Cooks .............................................. 100.0 16.7 16.6 21.7 15.0 8.9 5.1 16.0 5

Cashiers .......................................... 100.0 13.0 10.9 21.7 11.5 10.5 4.7 27.7 7

Registered nurses ........................... 100.0 19.3 16.0 22.5 11.8 10.7 5.3 14.4 4

Sales workers, other commodities .. 100.0 17.4 18.4 20.2 12.2 8.7 6.6 16.4 5

Supervisors and proprietors ............ 100.0 12.6 14.9 18.6 14.1 12.4 7.1 20.2 7

Stock handlers and baggers ........... 100.0 17.3 15.1 23.8 12.5 8.6 6.2 16.5 5

Welders and cutters ........................ 100.0 21.5 13.2 16.7 10.1 10.7 5.4 22.3 5

Maids and housemen ...................... 100.0 15.0 14.6 21.4 14.0 12.0 5.4 17.6 5

Miscellaneous food preparation ...... 100.0 17.2 15.3 21.4 16.7 7.6 5.5 16.4 5

Shipping and receiving clerks ......... 100.0 19.2 16.1 20.5 11.9 11.1 4.4 16.8 5

Electricians ...................................... 100.0 12.8 10.8 16.3 14.2 12.9 8.2 24.9 9

Groundskeepers and gardeners,

except farm ................................... 100.0 16.1 17.1 17.9 14.9 10.2 8.5 15.4 5

Mechanics, automobile ................... 100.0 15.0 13.8 21.5 11.5 9.4 6.9 21.8 5

Farm workers .................................. 100.0 15.4 8.7 18.9 16.0 8.5 7.2 25.3 7

Driver-sales workers ....................... 100.0 13.2 12.4 21.1 12.2 11.2 5.7 24.3 7

Kitchen workers ............................... 100.0 24.6 14.6 22.1 10.0 7.5 2.9 18.3 4

Industrial truck operators ................. 100.0 18.1 11.3 19.8 11.0 10.1 5.4 24.4 6

Plumbers, pipefitters, and

steamfitters .................................... 100.0 14.9 10.8 16.9 12.3 14.4 6.2 24.4 8

Repairers, industrial machinery ....... 100.0 14.9 14.4 14.6 13.3 12.2 7.4 23.2 7

Licensed practical nurses ................ 100.0 19.6 14.9 23.5 6.3 13.2 5.5 17.1 4

Mechanics, bus, truck, stationary

engine ........................................... 100.0 18.7 15.5 16.1 10.0 14.1 4.3 21.3 5

Guards and police, except public .... 100.0 14.4 14.5 21.0 14.6 11.6 6.9 16.9 6

Stock and inventory clerks .............. 100.0 16.6 14.9 21.8 13.7 10.1 5.2 17.7 5

Supervisors, production workers ..... 100.0 21.3 10.1 19.6 11.6 12.6 7.0 17.8 5

Waiters and waitresses ................... 100.0 13.7 15.6 23.6 16.0 7.6 5.3 18.1 5

Health aides, except nursing ........... 100.0 16.4 17.5 24.1 15.9 8.8 5.4 11.9 4

Packaging, filling machine

operators ....................................... 100.0 17.8 13.8 16.5 15.4 9.4 6.9 20.1 6

Attendants, public transportation ..... 100.0 6.7 8.3 23.0 17.6 16.3 7.1 21.0 8

Heating, air conditioning, and

refrigeration mechanics ................. 100.0 16.0 13.0 18.5 15.3 13.3 2.6 21.3 6

Painters ........................................... 100.0 11.8 7.3 19.4 23.5 5.8 4.5 27.7 6

Butchers and meat cutters .............. 100.0 14.6 13.4 21.7 14.3 8.6 9.1 18.2 6

Bus drivers ...................................... 100.0 11.3 7.7 20.0 13.9 11.5 6.2 29.4 9

Hand packers and packagers ......... 100.0 25.1 15.1 15.8 11.1 12.9 3.9 16.0 4

General office clerks ....................... 100.0 11.2 11.6 20.7 15.9 11.5 3.8 25.3 7

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 and nonclassifiable responses,

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, 2000

Characteristic Total

cases

Percent of days-away-from-work cases involving — Median

days

away

from work 1 day 2 days 3 - 5

days

6 - 10

days

11 - 20

days

21 - 30

days

31 days

or more

Total [1,664,018 cases] ................... 100.0 16.1 12.9 19.9 12.7 11.2 6.2 21.0 6

Nature of injury or illness:

Sprains, strains ........................... 100.0 13.9 12.7 21.3 13.8 11.3 6.1 20.9 6

Bruises, contusions ..................... 100.0 22.6 17.2 25.7 11.8 9.0 3.4 10.3 3

Cuts, lacerations ......................... 100.0 25.4 18.2 19.7 13.9 9.3 4.4 9.0 3

Fractures ..................................... 100.0 7.3 6.1 11.9 11.1 13.8 9.8 40.1 20

Heat burns ................................... 100.0 19.0 17.5 22.0 17.1 11.1 4.3 8.9 4

Carpal tunnel syndrome .............. 100.0 2.8 4.2 9.3 10.5 15.3 13.0 44.9 27

Tendonitis .................................... 100.0 8.5 8.9 18.7 13.9 14.3 7.7 27.9 10

Chemical burns ........................... 100.0 35.9 19.0 19.5 10.5 7.1 3.9 4.2 2

Amputations ................................ 100.0 3.7 5.2 14.8 13.0 15.7 12.7 34.9 18

Multiple traumatic injuries ............ 100.0 12.3 10.8 20.4 12.4 11.3 6.9 26.0 8

Part of body affected by the

injury or illness:

Head ............................................ 100.0 36.0 20.2 21.5 7.7 6.5 2.0 6.1 2

Eye ............................................ 100.0 45.2 22.9 20.5 4.8 3.1 .8 2.6 2

Neck ............................................ 100.0 16.5 13.3 20.4 10.0 10.3 4.6 25.0 5

Trunk ........................................... 100.0 13.2 12.0 20.6 13.7 11.7 6.4 22.3 7

Shoulder .................................... 100.0 12.0 9.1 16.5 13.6 11.3 7.0 30.4 10

Back .......................................... 100.0 13.8 13.2 22.3 13.7 10.8 5.3 20.9 6

Upper extremities ........................ 100.0 17.8 13.4 18.8 12.9 11.0 6.6 19.5 5

Wrist .......................................... 100.0 11.1 8.8 14.9 12.6 12.1 9.3 31.2 12

Hand, except finger ................... 100.0 22.5 15.8 21.7 13.3 9.8 4.4 12.5 4

Finger ........................................ 100.0 21.5 15.6 19.1 13.6 10.6 6.5 13.0 4

Lower extremities ........................ 100.0 13.7 12.0 19.7 13.1 11.9 7.1 22.4 7

Knee .......................................... 100.0 11.5 9.3 17.7 12.7 12.4 8.3 28.2 10

Foot, except toe ........................ 100.0 16.1 14.6 19.6 11.2 11.1 6.6 20.8 5

Toe ............................................ 100.0 16.0 14.6 20.6 15.0 14.3 7.9 11.6 5

Body systems .............................. 100.0 26.0 16.2 20.9 10.1 8.8 3.9 14.1 3

Multiple parts ............................... 100.0 12.5 11.7 19.3 11.3 11.4 6.0 27.9 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, 2000 — Continued

Characteristic Total

cases

Percent of days-away-from-work cases involving — Median

days

away

from work 1 day 2 days 3 - 5

days

6 - 10

days

11 - 20

days

21 - 30

days

31 days

or more

Source of injury or illness:

Chemicals and chemical

products .................................... 100.0 32.1 18.4 20.7 10.1 7.8 3.5 7.4 2

Containers ................................... 100.0 14.7 12.7 21.2 13.6 11.5 6.4 19.8 6

Furniture and fixtures .................. 100.0 18.0 15.7 21.5 13.2 10.2 5.3 16.0 5

Machinery .................................... 100.0 17.6 12.8 18.9 13.2 11.0 6.6 19.9 6

Parts and materials ..................... 100.0 17.1 12.9 19.8 12.6 11.5 6.4 19.7 6

Worker motion or position ........... 100.0 11.0 10.7 19.0 13.9 12.3 7.5 25.5 9

Floors, walkways, ground

surfaces ..................................... 100.0 13.0 11.3 18.7 11.5 11.5 6.7 27.3 8

Tools, instruments, and

equipment ................................. 100.0 22.2 15.2 20.7 12.3 9.9 5.2 14.5 4

Vehicles ....................................... 100.0 13.6 11.5 18.9 11.9 10.9 6.6 26.6 8

Health care patient ...................... 100.0 17.7 13.7 23.3 14.6 10.9 5.4 14.5 5

Event or exposure leading to

injury or illness:

Contact with objects and

equipment ................................. 100.0 22.2 15.9 20.7 11.9 9.7 5.2 14.4 4

Struck by object ......................... 100.0 22.3 16.1 21.3 12.2 9.4 4.9 13.7 4

Struck against object ................. 100.0 21.1 15.7 21.8 13.1 10.1 5.3 13.0 4

Caught in equipment or object .. 100.0 16.5 13.5 17.3 12.0 12.3 7.1 21.1 6

Fall to lower level ........................ 100.0 10.4 11.5 16.2 11.3 12.5 7.7 30.3 11

Fall on same level ....................... 100.0 14.6 11.4 19.7 12.3 10.8 6.0 25.0 7

Slip, trip, loss of

balance—without fall ................. 100.0 12.8 12.8 21.0 15.8 10.5 6.1 21.1 7

Overexertion ................................ 100.0 13.5 11.8 20.5 13.5 12.3 6.5 21.8 7

Overexertion in lifting ................ 100.0 13.4 12.3 21.1 14.1 12.0 6.3 20.8 6

Repetitive motion ........................ 100.0 6.7 6.5 12.7 11.5 14.9 10.3 37.4 19

Exposure to harmful

substances ................................ 100.0 29.3 18.5 21.0 12.1 8.3 3.2 7.5 3

Transportation accidents ............. 100.0 12.2 10.0 17.9 11.4 10.6 7.1 30.9 10

Fires and explosions ................... 100.0 8.6 16.0 17.9 12.8 15.1 9.2 20.3 9

Assaults and violent acts by

person ....................................... 100.0 18.9 12.5 21.6 15.6 8.1 6.9 16.4 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 and nonclassifiable responses,

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, 2000

Industry Total

cases

Percent of days-away-from-work cases involving — Median

days

away

from work 1 day 2 days 3 - 5

days

6 - 10

days

11 - 20

days

21 - 30

days

31 days

or more

Private industry2 [1,664,018 cases] ...... 100.0 16.1 12.9 19.9 12.7 11.2 6.2 21.0 6

Goods producing:

Agriculture, forestry, and fishing2 ....... 100.0 16.0 13.4 19.6 14.6 8.6 7.4 20.4 6

Mining3 ............................................... 100.0 5.1 5.9 18.7 10.4 9.5 5.2 45.1 21

Construction ....................................... 100.0 12.9 11.6 18.3 12.8 11.6 6.8 26.1 8

Manufacturing .................................... 100.0 18.6 12.7 17.7 12.1 11.6 7.1 20.1 6

Durable goods .................................. 100.0 19.0 12.7 17.6 11.9 11.4 7.3 20.0 6

Nondurable goods ............................ 100.0 17.9 12.7 17.9 12.5 11.9 6.9 20.2 6

Service producing:

Transportation and public utilities3 ..... 100.0 12.8 10.3 19.1 13.5 12.4 6.9 24.9 8

Wholesale trade ................................. 100.0 17.9 13.3 20.2 12.5 11.0 5.6 19.5 5

Retail trade ......................................... 100.0 15.5 14.8 21.6 13.0 9.6 5.3 20.2 5

Finance, insurance, and real estate ... 100.0 16.2 10.8 22.3 12.2 10.8 5.9 21.8 6

Services ............................................. 100.0 17.1 14.0 21.9 12.5 11.3 5.4 17.7 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 and nonclassifiable responses,

percentages may not add to 100.

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