2008 Nonfatal Occupational Injuries 

and Illnesses, Private Industry 

Case and Demographics

November 24, 2009
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, cases involving days away from work.

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

407,610

408,400 394,090

380,440 349,450

311,890

0

200,000

400,000

600,000

800,000

1,000,000

1,200,000

1,400,000

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

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

Number of injuries and illnesses with days away from work,

2003-2008

In 2008, injuries and illnesses with days away from work declined 7.0 percent, the largest decline since 2003. Injuries and illnesses for goods-producing 

industries declined by 10.7 percent, while in service-providing industries they declined by 5.3 percent.

Chart 1
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, cases involving days away from work.

Below average 

improvement

No major category of events or exposures increased from 2007 to 2008. Assaults by animals fell by 25.0 percent, repetitive motion injuries fell by 17.9 percent, 

and exposure to harmful substances fell by 14.3 percent. Struck by object, falls on same level, and total overexertion injuries declined by less than the average.

Percent change in incidence rate of injuries and illnesses

by selected events and exposures, 2007-2008

Total overexertion

Fall on same level

Struck by object

Overexertion in lifting

Slips or trips

Struck against object

Total assaults

Total object contact

Caught in object

Transportation accident

Highway accident

Fall to lower level

All other assaults

Exposure to harmful substances

Repetitive motion

Assaults by animals

Percent change

0 -10.0 -20.0 -30.0

Above average improvement

All events or exposures, -7.3%

Chart 2
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, cases involving days away from work. Chart 3

Occupations with 18,000 or more injuries

and illnesses, 2005-2008

These occupations had 18,000 or more injuries and illnesses with days away from work in 2008. Construction laborers, retail salespersons, janitors and 

cleaners, light or delivery truck drivers, general maintenance and repair workers, registered nurses, and carpenters all had declines in the number of cases. The 

other occupations were statistically unchanged from 2007.

0

20,000

40,000

60,000

80,000

100,000

2005

2006

2007

2008
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, cases involving days away from work.

In 2008, laborers and freight, stock, and material movers had the most cases with days away from work, and a rate of injury or illness of 440 per

10,000 full-time cases. Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants; truck drivers, both heavy and light; and construction laborers also all had very

high rates of injuries and illnesses.

Number and incidence rate for occupations with

18,000 or more injuries and illnesses, 2008

Number of cases

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

Stock clerks and order fillers

Carpenters

Maids and housekeeping

cleaners

Registered nurses

General maintenance and 

repair workers

Light or delivery service

truck drivers 

Janitors and cleaners

Retail salespersons

Construction laborers

Nursing aides, orderlies, and 

attendants

Heavy and tractor-trailer

truck drivers

Laborers and freight, stock, and 

material movers

Rate per 10,000 full-time workers

100 200 300 400 500

79,590

57,700

44,610

31,310

28,900

28,110

28,040

20,800

19,070

18,650

18,160

18,020

114

449

243

278

90

130

236

383

213

362

324

440

Chart 4

0 0

Days-away-from-work rate

(Private industry rate = 113)

Number of cases

(Total = 1,078,140)
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, cases involving days away from work. Chart 5

These twelve occupations have at least 1/10 of one percent of employment and an incidence rate that was two and one-half times the average or greater. 

Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants, and laborers and freight, stock and material movers both had the highest rates statistically. Emergency medical 

technicians and paramedics had a very high rate of injuries and illnesses, but a smaller number of cases.

Incidence rate and number of injuries and illnesses 

for occupations with high incidence rates, 2008

Rate per 10,000 full-time workers

500 400 300 200 100

Welders, cutters, solderers, 

and brazers

Food servers, nonrestaurant

Industrial machinery 

mechanics

Light or delivery service

truck drivers

Cooks, institution and cafeteria

Roofers

Reservation and transportation

ticket agents and travel clerks

Heavy and tractor-trailer

truck drivers

Construction laborers

Emergency medical 

technicians and paramedics

Laborers and freight, stock,

and material movers

Nursing aides, orderlies, 

and attendants

Number of cases

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

449

440

387

383

362

354

349

331

324

300

298

292

4,560

44,610

5,510

3,470

4,920

31,310

3,400

7,820

10,870

57,700

28,040

79,590

0 0

Days-away-from-work rate

(Private industry rate = 113)

Number of cases

(Total = 1,078,140)
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, cases involving days away from work. Chart 6

In 2008, goods-producing industries made up 20 percent of private industry employment but accounted for 29 percent of injuries and illnesses with days away 

from work. Service-providing industries made up 80 percent of employment and 71 percent of injuries and illnesses.

Goods-producing

29%

Service-providing

71%

Injuries and illnesses with 

days away from work

(Total cases = 1,078,140)

Goods-producing

20%

Service-providing

80%

Employment

(BLS Quarterly Census of 

Employment and Wages)

Days-away-from-work rate:

Goods-producing: 140

Service-providing: 105

Injuries and illnesses and employment 

by industry domain, 2008
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, cases involving days away from work. Chart 7

Almost two-thirds of injured or ill workers were men in 2008, above their 58 percent share of the total hours worked.

Women

36%

Men

64%

Injuries and illnesses with 

days away from work

(Total cases = 1,078,140)

Women

42%

Days-away-from-work rate:

Men: 125

Women: 97

Injuries and illnesses and employment 

by gender of worker, 2008

Hours worked

(Current Population Survey, 

Private Wage and Salary Workers)

Men

58%
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, cases involving days away from work. Chart 8

In 2008, there were 145,870 injuries and illnesses among Hispanic or Latino workers. Hispanic or Latino workers made up 20 percent of

injuries and illnesses where race or ethnicity was reported. They suffered 49 percent of injuries and illnesses in natural resources, and 26 percent in 

construction. Race and ethnicity is not reported in nearly one-third of all cases.

Number of injuries and illnesses and percentage of cases

involving Hispanic or Latino workers by industry, 2008

Information

Other services

Financial activities

Natural resources and mining

Leisure and hospitality

Education and health services

Professional business services

Manufacturing

Construction

Trade, transportation,

and utilities

Cases involving Hispanic or Latino workers

40,000 30,000 20,000 10,000 0

Percent of cases 

(where race or ethnicity is reported)

0.0 10.0 20.0 30.0 40.0 50.0 60.0

31,810

25,360

25,090

16,860

14,730

12,850

9,110

5,310

3,960

810

25.7

12.0

22.8

10.7

23.0

19.8

49.2

17.3

28.8

17.4
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, cases involving days away from work. Chart 9

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 15 days for those workers 65 years old and older. The rate of injuries to workers 65 

and older increased by 6.4 percent. The rate for all other groups declined.

Median days away from work due to injuries and illnesses

and incidence rate by age of worker, 2008

Median days away from work

20 15 10 5

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

Rate per 10,000 full-time workers

50 100 150

15

12

10

9

6

5

4 116

119

109

111

117

117

102

0 0

Days-away-from-work rate

(Private industry rate = 113)

Median days away from work

(Private industry median days= 8)
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, cases involving days away from work. Chart 10

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, Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, cases involving days away from work. Chart 11

Sprains and strains continue to be the most frequent nature of injury and illness. In 2008, there were 416,620 cases, making up 38.6 percent of all cases. 

Fractures, a very serious injury, accounted for 8.3 percent of all cases.

Distribution of injuries and illnesses by nature, 2008

Sprain, Strains

38.6%

Cuts, lacerations, and punctures

Bruises, contusions 9.3%

8.7%

Fractures

8.3%

Soreness, Pain, Except Back

7.1%

Multiple traumatic injuries

4.1%

Back pain, hurt back only

3.4%

Heat burns 1.4%

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome 0.9%

Amputations 0.6%

Chemical burns 0.5%

Tendonitis 0.4%

All other natures 16.6%
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, cases involving days away from work. Chart 12

Sprains and strains made up nearly 4 out of 10 injuries. Overexertion was a common event causing this. Most of these cases affected the back.

Contact with 

object, 

equipment

6.9%

Fall to lower 

level

4.6%

Fall on same 

level

11.1%

Slips, trips

6.9%

Overexertion

44.8%

All other

25.8%

Sprains and strains by event

Back

40.2%

Shoulder

11.7%

Knee

12.4%

Ankle

8.7%

All other

27.1%

Days-away-from-work cases = 1,078,140

Total sprains and strains = 416,620

Sprains and strains by event or exposure and part of body, 2008

Sprains and strains by 

part of body
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, cases involving days away from work. Chart 13

In 2008, fractures and carpal tunnel syndrome were the most severe natures of injury and illness, with median days of 28 days away from work to recover. 

Amputations had 26 days away from work to recover. 

Median days away from work and incidence rate due to

injuries and illnesses by nature, 2008

Median days away from work

35 30 25 20 15 10 5

Chemical burns

Cuts, lacerations, and

punctures

Bruises

Back pain, hurt back only

Heat burns

All other natures

Total multiple trauma

Sprain, strains

Soreness, pain, except back

Tendonitis

Amputations

Carpal tunnel syndrome

Fractures

Rate per 10,000 full-time workers

20 40 60

28

28

26

11

9

9

9

7

6

6

4

3

3

8

44

9

11

10

2

1

1

1

5

4

19

0

0 0

Days-away-from-work rate

(Private industry rate = 113)

Median days away from work

(Private industry median days= 8)
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, cases involving days away from work. Chart 14

Upper extremities, lower extremities, and back each account for more than one-fifth of all injuries and illnesses.

Distribution of injuries and illnesses by part of body, 2008

Back

20.6%

Trunk, except back

13.4%

Upper extremities

22.6%

Lower extremities

22.3%

Multiple body parts

10.4%

Head 6.8%

Neck 1.5%

Body systems 1.5%

All other parts 0.9%
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, cases involving days away from work. Chart 15

Injuries and illnesses that affect the shoulder take the most time to recover, with a median of 20 days, followed by the knee (15 days) and wrist (14 days). The 

median for all injuries and illnesses was 8 days away from work.

Median days away from work and incidence rate due to

injuries and illnesses by part of body, 2008

Median days away from work

25 20 15 10 5

Eyes

Head

Finger

Hand

Neck

Foot, toe

Upper

extremities

Back

Ankle

Multiple parts

Arm

Trunk

Lower

extremities

Wrist

Knee

Shoulder

Rate per 10,000 full-time workers

5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45

20

15

14

11

10

10

9

8

7

7

7

6

6

5

2

2

8

3

2

39

23

8

26

10

4

5

25

10

5

12

5

6

0 0

Days-away-from-work rate

(Private industry rate = 113)

Median days away from work

(Private industry median days= 8)
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, cases involving days away from work. Chart 16

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 20.2 percent; worker motion or position with 13.9 percent; containers with 12.1 percent; and parts and materials with 9.9 percent. 

Distribution of injuries and illnesses by source, 2008

Floors, walkways, and ground surfaces

20.2%

Worker motion or position

13.9%

Containers

12.1%

Parts and materials

9.9%

Vehicles

8.5%

Machinery

6.0%

Hand tools

4.7%

Health care patient

4.6%

Furniture 3.9%

Chemicals 1.4%

All other

15.0%
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, cases involving days away from work. Chart 17

Floors, walkways, and ground surfaces has both a high median days away from work, at 11, and a rate of 23 injuries and illnesses per 10,000 full-time workers. 

Median days away from work and incidence rate due to

injuries and illnesses by source, 2008

Median days away from work

15 10 5

Chemicals and chemical

products

Hand tools

Furniture and fixtures

Health care patient

Parts and materials

Machinery

Containers

Vehicles

Worker motion or position

Floors, walkways,

and ground surfaces

Rate per 10,000 full-time workers

5 10 15 20 25

11

10

10

9

9

7

6

5

4

3 2

14

4

7

11

16

23

5

10

5

0 0

Days-away-from-work rate

(Private industry rate = 113)

Median days away from work

(Private industry median days= 8)
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, cases involving days away from work. Chart 18

Nearly nine out of ten injuries and illnesses resulted from three events: bodily reaction and exertion, contact with objects and equipment, and falls.

Distribution of injuries and illnesses by event or exposure, 2008

Contact with objects and equipment

27.1%

Falls

21.8%

Transportation accidents 4.5%

Exposure to harmful substances 4.2%

Assaults and violent acts 2.1%

Fires and explosions 0.2%

Other events 1.5%

Bodily reaction and exertion

38.6%
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, cases involving days away from work. Chart 19

Bodily reaction and exertion cases made up 38.6 percent of all cases involving days away from work. These cases most often resulted in injuries to the back 

and frequently affected workers in service occupations and transportation and material moving occupations. 

Service 

22.0%

Transportation and 

material 

moving 

21.2%

Production 

12.6%

Construction 

and 

extraction 

9.5%

All other 

occupation 

groups

34.7%

Bodily reaction and exertion 

by occupation group

Back

41.2%

Shoulder

11.8%

Knee

9.7%

Wrist

5.7%

All other 

parts

31.6%

Days-away-from-work cases = 1,078,140

Total, bodily reaction 

and exertion = 415,690

Bodily reaction and exertion by occupation group 

and part of body, 2008

Bodily reaction and exertion 

by part of body
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, cases involving days away from work. Chart 20

In 2008, repetitive motion injuries took the longest time to recuperate, with a median of 18 days away from work. The rate of these injuries is relatively low. 

Falls on same level have a high rate of injuries and illnesses and also require more time to recuperate than the median for all injuries. 

Median days away from work and incidence rate due to

injuries and illnesses by event or exposure, 2008

Median days away from work

20 15 10 5

Exposed to harmful

substance

Struck against object

Struck by object

Assaults by person

Fires and explosions

Caught in object, equipment,

or materials

Overexertion in lifting

Slips, trips, loss of balance

without fall

Fall on same level

Transportation accident

Fall to lower level

Repetitive motion

Rate per 10,000 full-time workers

5 10 15 20 25

18

15

12

10

10

10

9

7

6

5

5

3

16

7

5

7

17

4

14

3

5

5

2

0

0 0

Days-away-from-work rate

(Private industry rate = 113)

Median days away from work

(Private industry median days= 8)
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, cases involving days away from work. Chart 21

From 2007 to 2008, the number of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) declined by 5.4 percent . MSDs accounted for 29.4% of total cases., a small increase in 

the proportion of cases from 2007. The rate of MSDs in 2008 was 33.4 per 10,000 full-time workers, a decline of 5.6 percent from 2007.

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

Number of musculoskeletal disorders, 2003-2008

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

435,180 cases

402,700 cases

375,540 cases

357,160 cases

335,390 cases

317,440 cases
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, cases involving days away from work. Chart 22

Three out of four musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) are from a sprain, strain, or tear. Hernias of various types make up 5 percent of MSDs, and carpal tunnel 

syndrome accounts for 3.2 percent.

Distribution of musculoskeletal disorders

by nature of injury or illness, 2008

Sprains, strains, tears

74.4%

Soreness, pain, hurt, 

except the back 7.9%

Back pain, hurt back 7.1%

Hernia 5.0%

Carpal tunnel syndrome 3.2%

Musculoskeletal system and connective tissue 

diseases and disorders, except tendonitis 1.4%

Tendonitis 1.0%
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, cases involving days away from work. Chart 23

These twelve occupations have at least 1/10 of one percent of employment and an incidence rate of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) that was higher than 75 

per 10,000 full-time workers. Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants, and emergency medical technicians and paramedics had the highest rates of MSDs in 

2008. Nursing aides also had the second highest number of MSD cases in this group, behind laborers and freight, stock, and material movers. 

Incidence rate and number of injuries and illnesses due to

musculoskeletal disorders by selected occupations, 2008

Rate per 10,000 full-time workers

300 200 100

Driver/sales workers

Janitors and cleaners

Cooks, institution and 

cafeteria

Construction laborers

Maids and housekeeping

cleaners

Heavy and tractor-trailer

truck drivers

Industrial machinery

mechanics

Light or delivery service

truck drivers

Laborers and freight, stock, and

material movers

Reservation and transportation 

ticket agents and travel clerks

Emergency medical technicians

and paramedics

Nursing aides, orderlies, 

and attendants

Number of cases

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

232

228

157

148

113

101

90

88

87

84

79

76

23,030

2,690

2,180

26,720

9,790

2,630

14,360

5,870

7,090

1,390

9,110

2,760

0 0

Days-away-from-work MSD rate

(Private industry MSD rate = 33)

Number of MSD cases

(Total = 317,440)