The 2008 results announced today present the first national data for State government and local 

government on the case circumstances and worker characteristics for nonfatal occupational injuries 

and illnesses requiring days away from work. Data for total recordable cases for State and local 

government were reported in the Workplace Injuries and Illnesses, 2008 news release issued in 

October 2009.

For release 10:00 a.m. (EST) Wednesday, February 24, 2010 USDL-10-0230

Technical information: (202) 691-6170 • iifstaff@bls.gov • www.bls.gov/iif/oshcdnew.htm

Media contact: (202) 691-5902 • PressOffice@bls.gov

NONFATAL OCCUPATIONAL INJURIES AND ILLNESSES REQUIRING DAYS AWAY FROM WORK

FOR STATE GOVERNMENT AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT WORKERS, 2008

There were 277,680 occupational injuries and illnesses with days away from work reported for State and 

local government combined in 2008, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Fifty percent occurred 

in service occupations, including health care support and protective service workers. In contrast, 22 

percent of the injuries and illnesses in private industry occurred in service occupations.

State government workers sustained occupational injuries and illnesses at an incidence rate of 170 cases 

per 10,000 full-time workers and required a median of 8 days away from work to recuperate. The 

incidence rate for local government workers was 195 and the median days away from work was 9. For 

comparison, the incidence rate for private industry was 113 cases per 10,000 full-time workers.

There were a total of 206,580 cases of days away from work in local government and 71,100 cases in 

State government. Sprains and strains comprised 43 percent of the injuries and illness in local 

government at an incidence rate of 83 cases per 10,000 full-time workers. For State government, sprains 

and strains comprised 39 percent of the cases at a rate of 67 per 10,000 full-time workers (see table 3).

Key findings for injuries and illnesses requiring days away from work for State government and local 

government in 2008:

Local government workers accounted for 15 percent of the 1.4 million days-away-from-work 

cases reported for private industry, State government, and local government combined--higher 

than their share of employment (9 percent) (see chart A). 

The incidence rate per 10,000 full-time workers for assaults and violent acts by person in State 

government was 27 (compared to 2 for private industry) (see table 3). Fifty-three percent of these

assaults and violent acts by a person occurred to the following three occupations: correctional 

officers and jailers; psychiatric aides; and psychiatric technicians (see table 5).

The incidence rate for falls on the same level in local government was 36 (compared to 17 for 

private industry). Thirty-seven percent of falls to the same level (see table 5) occurred to the 

following five occupations: janitors and cleaners; police and sheriff’s patrol officers; elementary 

school teachers; teacher assistants; and secondary school teachers.

The proportion of injuries and illnesses occurring to workers with over five years of service with 

an employer was greater for both State government (58 percent) and local government (60 

percent) than for private industry (31 percent) (see table 6).
2

Private 

industry

86%

State 

government

5%

Local 

government

9%

Private 

industry

80%

State 

government

5%

Local 

government

15%

Employment

(Current Population Survey,

Wage and Salary Workers) 

Injuries and illnesses with

days away from work

(Total cases= 1,355,820 )

Chart A. Injuries and illnesses and employment

by ownership, 2008

Occupation 

State government. Workers in protective service occupations suffered the most injuries and illnesses 

with days away from work (19,720), followed by healthcare support occupations with 8,860 cases, and 

healthcare practitioners and technical occupations with 7,550 cases. Combined these three occupational 

groups accounted for 51 percent of days-away-from-work cases in State government.

Among detailed occupations, correctional officers and jailers experienced the highest number of 

days-away-from-work injuries and illnesses in 2008 (12,420 cases) (see chart B). Twenty-six percent 

of these injuries were suffered by women and of the cases involving women, 29 percent (940 cases) 

were falls. The median number of days away from work for this occupation was 10 days. 

Psychiatric aides had 4,620 cases in 2008. Two-thirds of these cases were suffered by women, nearly 

all in hospitals and nursing and residential care facilities. Assaults and violent acts accounted for 44 

percent of cases to psychiatric aides, followed by overexertion (24 percent). The median number of 

days away from work was 10 days for this occupation.
3

2,360

2,440

2,920

2,980

3,140

3,800

4,620

12,420

0 5,000 10,000 15,000 20,000 25,000 30,000 35,000 40,000 45,000 50,000

Bus Drivers, Transit

and Intercity

Registered Nurses

Psychiatric Technicians

Police and Sheriff‘s

Patrol Officers

Nursing Aides, Orderlies,

and Attendants

Janitors and Cleaners, Except

Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners 

Psychiatric Aides

Correctional Officers and Jailers

State Government

Local Government

Private Industry

Chart B. Injuries and illnesses with days away from work for occupations in State 

government with 2,000 or more cases, by ownership, 2008

Local government. Workers in protective service occupations suffered the most injuries and illnesses 

with days away from work with 57,790 cases (see table 2) in local government; followed by building 

and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations with 29,390 cases; and education, training, and 

library occupations with 27,260 cases. Combined these occupational groups accounted for 55 percent of 

the days-away-from-work cases in local government. Protective service workers needed 11 median days

away from work to recuperate from injuries and illnesses and building and grounds cleaning workers 

needed 10 days. Education, training, and library workers required only 4 days to recuperate.

Among detailed occupations, police and sheriff’s patrol officers had the most cases with 24,020 (see 

chart C). Men accounted for 87 percent of these cases. Transportation accidents accounted for 20 

percent of the cases to this occupation and assaults and violent acts by person accounted for 17 

percent. The median number of days away from work for this occupation was 9 days.

Three detailed occupations, police and sheriff’s patrol officers, janitors and cleaners, and fire fighters 

each had more than 15,000 injuries and illnesses with days away from work and together accounted 

for 30 percent of all cases in local government.
4

4,560

4,590

4,660

4,700

4,750

4,750

8,290

8,430

16,800

20,880

24,020

0 5,000 10,000 15,000 20,000 25,000 30,000 35,000 40,000 45,000 50,000

Bus Drivers, School

Landscaping and Groundskeeping

Workers

General Maintenance and

Repair Workers

Nursing Aides, Orderlies, 

and Attendants

Bus Drivers, Transit

and Intercity

Refuse and Recyclable

Material Collectors

Teacher Assistants

Elementary School Teachers,

Except Special Education

Fire Fighters

Local Government

State Government

Private Industry

Chart C. Injuries and illnesses with days away from work for occupations in local 

government with 4,000 or more cases, by ownership, 2008

Police and Sheriff‘s

Patrol Officers

Janitors and Cleaners, Except

Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners 

Worker characteristics

Worker characteristics include age, gender, race or ethnic origin, and length of service with the 

employer (see table 6).

Age. In both State government and local government, the proportion of injuries and illnesses occurring 

to workers in the age groups 16 to 19, 20 to 24, and 25 to 34 was lower compared to the same age 

groups for private industry. 

Local government workers age 65 and over required 14 median days away from work to recuperate from 

their injuries and illnesses while State government workers in this age group required 9 median days. In 

State government, workers 55 to 64 years old required a median of 10 days away from work. In private 

sector, the median days away from work was 15 for workers age 65 and over and 12 days for workers 

age 55 to 64.

Gender. Men accounted for 52 percent of the days-away-from-work cases in State government and 59 

percent of the cases in local government. These percentages were lower than in private industry, where 

men comprised 64 percent of days-away-from-work cases. Men in local government required a median 

of 10 days away from work to recuperate from their injuries and illnesses, while women needed 6 days.
5

Case characteristics

A number of variables describe the circumstances of workplace injuries and illnesses that required one 

or more days away from work. They include nature, part of body, source, and event or exposure, as well 

as “musculoskeletal disorders” (an amalgamation of selected nature and event or exposure categories).

 A nursing aide sprains her back from overexertion in lifting a health care patient. 

 ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑

 (nature) (part of body) (event or exposure) (source)

Event or exposure. In 2008, three event or exposure categories accounted for 65 percent of the total 

injuries and illnesses requiring days away from work in private industry: contact with objects and 

equipment; overexertion; and fall on same level. These same event or exposure categories accounted for 

48 percent of total injuries and illnesses in State government and 55 percent in local government.

Assaults and violent acts by person had a rate of 27 cases per 10,000 full-time workers in State 

government, compared to a rate of 11 in local government and a rate of 2 in private industry (see 

chart D). Of the injuries incurred from assaults and violent acts by person in State government, 

59 percent occurred in the health and social assistance industry. Of these types of injuries in 

State government, 18 percent occurred to psychiatric aides and 15 percent to psychiatric 

technicians.

Days-away-from-work cases from overexertion occurred at a rate of 28 cases per 10,000 fulltime workers in State government and a rate of 36 for local government workers. In private 

industry, the incidence rate was 26 for overexertion. 

Overexertion was the most frequent event associated with injuries to nursing aides, orderlies and 

attendants in local government and private industry. Overexertion was the most frequent event 

among janitors and cleaners in State government and firefighters in local government.

Nature of injury or illness. In 2008, sprain or strain injuries accounted for 39 percent of total injury and 

illness cases requiring days away from work in both private industry and State government; these types 

of injuries accounted for 43 percent of cases in local government. The incidence rate per 10,000 fulltime workers for sprain or strain injuries in local government was 83, which was significantly higher

than the rate for State government (67) and private industry (44) (see chart E).

Of the sprains and strains occurring to State government workers, 19 percent occurred to 

correctional officers and jailers (see table 4).

Of the sprains and strains occurring to local government workers, 12 percent occurred to fire 

fighters, 11 percent to police and sheriff’s patrol officers, and 11 percent to janitors and cleaners 

(see table 4).
6

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40

Caught in object

Repetitive motion

Harmful exposure

Slips or trips

Struck against object

Transportation accident

Fall to lower level

Struck by object

Fall at same level

Overexertion

Assaults

State Government

Local Government

Private Industry

Chart D. Incidence rate of injuries and illnesses with 

days away from work by event or exposure, 2008

Chart E. Incidence rate of injuries and illnesses with 

days away from work by nature, 2008

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Punctures

Heat burns

Cuts, lacerations

Total multiple trauma

Fractures

Bruises

Pain (including back pain)

Sprain, Strains

State Government

Local Government

Private Industry
7

Musculoskeletal disorders. In 2008, musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) accounted for 29 percent of all 

workplace injuries and illnesses requiring time away from work in private industry compared to only 22 

percent in State government and 25 percent in local government. The incidence rate of MSDs for local 

government was 49 per 10,000 full-time workers, greater than the rate for State government and private 

industry, with incidence rates of 37 and 33 respectively (see chart F).

In State government, healthcare support occupations comprised 17 percent of the MSD cases and 

protective service occupations accounted for 16 percent. In local government, protective service 

occupations accounted for 25 percent of the MSD cases and building and grounds cleaning and 

maintenance occupations accounted for 20 percent. Transportation and material moving occupations had 

the highest percent (21) of MSD cases in private industry. In State government and local government,

this occupation group accounted for 3 and 9 percent of the MSD cases respectively.

Chart F. Incidence rate of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) by ownership, 2008

36.7

48.7

33.4

0

50

100

150

200

250

State Government Local Government Private Industry

All cases

MSD

21.6%

of all

cases

25.0%

of all

cases

29.4%

of all

cases

170.0

194.6

113.3

Incidence rate per 10,000 full-time workers
8

Notes

This release is the fourth in a series of releases from the BLS covering occupational safety and health 

statistics for 2008. The first release, in August 2009, covered work-related fatal injuries from the 2008

Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries. In October 2009, the Survey of Occupational Injuries and 

Illnesses (SOII) reported the total recordable cases for occupational injuries and illnesses for 2008. In 

November of 2009, the case and demographic characteristics of occupational injuries and illnesses 

requiring days away from work for private industry was reported. Additional background and 

methodological information regarding the BLS occupational safety and health program can be found in 

Chapter 9 of the BLS Handbook of Methods at http://www.bls.gov/opub/hom/pdf/homch9.pdf.

Because of space limitations, this release does not present all the publishable estimates and rates for 

days-away-from-work cases. Additional detailed data are available from BLS staff on 202-691-6170,

iifstaff@bls.gov, and the BLS Internet site at http://www.bls.gov/iif/home.htm.
TABLE 1. Incidence rate, median days away from work, number, and percent distribution of nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses involvi

by industry and summary occupation groups, 2008

Industry Incidence rate2 Number

Median

days

away from

work

Summary occupation groups

(percent)

Management,

business,

and

financial

occupations

Professional and

related

occupations

Service

occupations

Sales and

related

occupations

Office and

administrative

support

occupations

Farming,

fishing, and

forestry

occupations

Construction andextraction

occupations

a

Total private, State and local government ....... 123.3 1,355,820 8 2.4 10.1 27.6 5.2 7.1 1.0 10.0 

Total State and local government combined 187.6 277,680 8 2.4 20.2 50.0 .4 5.6 .2 5.3 

Total State government .................................. 170.0 71,100 8 4.2 19.6 51.6 1.2 7.4 .8 4.8 

Total goods producing .................................... 194.3 1,500 7 – 4.0 – – 1.3 – 65.3 

Construction ............................................. 196.8 1,450 6 – 4.1 – – 1.4 – 66.2 

Total service providing .................................... 169.5 69,600 8 4.3 20.0 52.8 1.2 7.5 .8 3.5 

Education and health services .................. 152.1 30,600 7 2.8 29.1 53.9 .1 6.5 .1 2.1 

Educational services ............................. 68.8 9,920 7 5.2 15.4 48.3 .3 12.7 .4 5.4 Health care and social assistance ........ 363.0 20,670 7 1.6 35.7 56.7 – 3.6 – .5 

Public administration ................................ 175.1 33,780 8 6.3 14.4 58.1 1.1 9.1 1.5 3.8 

Total local government .................................. 194.6 206,580 9 1.7 20.4 49.5 .1 4.9 3 ( ) 5.5 

Total goods producing .................................... 364.5 3,670 11 1.4 1.6 13.6 – 1.6 – 62.7 

Construction ............................................. 366.2 3,660 11 1.4 1.6 13.4 – 1.4 – 62.8 

Total service providing .................................... 192.9 202,910 9 1.8 20.7 50.1 .1 5.0 3 ( ) 4.5 

Trade, transportation and utilities4 ............ 294.2 13,720 14 2.2 1.0 6.9 .2 7.8 – 9.2 

Transportation and warehousing .......... 348.0 8,330 17 .8 .8 8.9 – 4.2 – 1.2 Utilities .................................................. 239.3 5,380 10 4.1 1.5 3.5 – 13.2 – 21.6 

Education and health services .................. 134.1 81,970 7 1.9 42.3 40.2 3 ( ) 5.5 – 1.2 

Educational services ............................. 126.0 67,740 7 1.9 42.6 38.9 3 ( ) 5.3 – 1.3 Health care and social assistance ........ 193.3 14,240 6 2.0 40.7 46.6 – 6.2 – 1.0 

Public administration ................................ 273.0 96,900 10 1.5 7.3 65.4 .1 4.1 .1 6.5 

See footnotes at end of table.

9
TABLE 1. Incidence rate, median days away from work, number, and percent distribution of nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses involvi

by industry and summary occupation groups, 2008 — Continued

Industry Incidence rate2 Number

Median

days

away from

work

Summary occupation groups

(percent)

Management,

business,

and

financial

occupations

Professional and

related

occupations

Service

occupations

Sales and

related

occupations

Office and

administrative

support

occupations

Farming,

fishing, and

forestry

occupations

Construction andextraction

occupations

a

Total private industry5 .................................... 113.3 1,078,140 8 2.4 7.5 21.8 6.4 7.5 1.3 11.2 

Total goods producing .................................... 140.0 311,890 9 1.3 1.0 1.5 .6 2.2 3.7 34.7 

Natural resources and mining6 ................. 155.9 26,710 9 1.8 1.1 1.6 .1 .8 41.2 24.3 

Construction ............................................. 174.3 120,240 10 1.6 .5 1.0 .6 .5 – 78.7 Manufacturing ........................................... 120.7 164,940 8 1.0 1.4 1.7 .6 3.6 .3 4.3 

Total service providing .................................... 105.1 766,250 7 2.9 10.1 30.1 8.8 9.6 .3 1.7 

Trade, transportation and utilities4 ............ 143.6 328,220 10 1.3 .9 6.6 17.9 10.9 .4 1.6 

Transportation and warehousing .......... 245.9 104,120 17 .3 .2 6.1 .6 11.6 .2 1.0 Utilities .................................................. 106.5 5,890 13 1.0 4.4 2.0 1.0 15.3 – 16.1 

Information ................................................ 69.4 18,070 9 3.7 15.5 4.2 4.4 15.6 – 1.2 Financial activities .................................... 47.2 35,010 7 10.6 3.4 19.4 6.5 26.0 – 4.1 Professional and business services ......... 61.2 85,540 8 4.8 7.8 38.4 2.0 13.3 .5 3.6 Education and health services .................. 131.4 182,750 5 3.7 32.3 52.5 .2 5.6 3 ( ) .5 

Educational services ............................. 68.6 11,420 7 8.7 37.2 32.6 .4 9.7 .3 2.8 Health care and social assistance ........ 139.9 171,330 5 3.3 32.0 53.9 .2 5.3 – .4 

Leisure and hospitality .............................. 95.7 86,190 7 2.2 3.9 77.1 3.5 2.4 .1 .8 Other services .......................................... 98.2 30,470 7 2.7 4.8 20.6 1.9 6.9 .1 3.7 

1 Days-away-from-work cases include those that resulted in days away from work, some of which

also included job transfer or restriction.

2 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)

3 Data too small to be displayed.4 Data for employers in rail transportation are provided to BLS by the Federal Railroad

Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation. 

5 Excludes farms with fewer than 11 employees.6 Data for Mining (Sector 21 in the North American Industr

States, 2002) include establishments not governed by the Mine rules and reporting, such as those in Oil and Gas Extraction and rmining operators in coal, metal, and nonmetal mining are provideHealth Administration, U.S. Department of Labor. Independent minthe coal, metal, and nonmetal mining industries. These data Occupational Safety and Health Administration made to its recoJanuary 1, 2002; therefore, estimates for these industries are not industries. 

NOTE: Dash indicates data do not meet publication guidelines

exclusion of nonclassifiable responses, data may not sum to the tot

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

and Illnesses in cooperation with participating State agencies

10
TABLE 2. Number, percent distribution, and median days away from work for nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses involving days away 

occupation group and private industry, State government, and local government sectors, 2008

Occupation

Private

industry2,3,4

State

government

Number Percent

Median

days away

from work

Number Percent

Median

days away

from work

Numb

Total ............................................................................................................. 1,078,140 100.0 8 71,100 100.0 8 206,5

Management, Business, and Financial Occupations ............................................. 26,310 2.4 5 3,020 4.2 4 3,6

Management occupations .................................................................................. 19,650 1.8 5 1,550 2.2 4 3,0

Top executives ............................................................................................... 3,300 .3 10 290 .4 4 4Advertising, marketing, promotions, public relations, and sales managers ... 1,170 .1 6 – – – 

Operations specialties managers ................................................................... 3,120 .3 5 180 .3 2 1Other management occupations .................................................................... 12,050 1.1 5 1,060 1.5 3 2,3

Business and financial operations occupations ................................................. 6,660 .6 5 1,470 2.1 5 5

Business operations specialists ..................................................................... 4,600 .4 6 1,080 1.5 4 4Financial specialists ....................................................................................... 2,060 .2 2 400 .6 6 1

Professional and Related Occupations .................................................................. 80,790 7.5 5 13,970 19.6 7 42,1

Computer and mathematical occupations .......................................................... 3,280 .3 7 410 .6 3 5

Computer specialists ...................................................................................... 3,210 .3 7 380 .5 2 5Mathematical science occupations ................................................................ 70 5 ( ) 20 30 5 ( ) 3 

Architecture and engineering occupations ......................................................... 5,000 .5 3 200 .3 5 4

Architects, surveyors, and cartographers ....................................................... 730 .1 3 – – – 

Engineers ....................................................................................................... 1,260 .1 8 80 .1 5 2Drafters, engineering, and mapping technicians ............................................ 3,010 .3 5 110 .2 6 2

Life, physical, and social science occupations ................................................... 2,260 .2 5 700 1.0 4 5

Life scientists .................................................................................................. 320 5 ( ) 3 140 .2 4 Physical scientists .......................................................................................... 210 5 ( ) 5 90 .1 28 1

Social scientists and related workers ............................................................. 410 5 ( ) 3 110 .2 7 1Life, physical, and social science technicians ................................................ 1,320 .1 9 350 .5 4 1

Community and social services occupations ..................................................... 8,960 .8 4 3,520 5.0 6 3,3

Counselors, social workers, and other community and social service

specialists ..................................................................................................... 8,740 .8 4 3,480 4.9 6 3,3

Religious workers ........................................................................................... 230 5 ( ) 6 40 .1 6 – 

Legal occupations .............................................................................................. 1,460 .1 4 240 .3 7 2

Lawyers, judges, and related workers ............................................................ 330 5 ( ) 5 90 .1 2 

Legal support workers .................................................................................... 1,130 .1 1 150 .2 9 1

Education, training, and library occupations ...................................................... 8,650 .8 3 1,240 1.7 6 27,2

Postsecondary teachers ................................................................................. 790 .1 8 360 .5 6 1Primary, secondary, and special education school teachers ......................... 2,770 .3 3 220 .3 2 15,8Other teachers and instructors ....................................................................... 1,890 .2 3 320 .5 7 2,2Librarians, curators, and archivists ................................................................ 150 5 ( ) 2 60 .1 5 2

Other education, training, and library occupations ......................................... 3,060 .3 3 280 .4 5 8,7

Arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media occupations ............................. 6,230 .6 11 110 .2 4 6

Art and design workers .................................................................................. 1,150 .1 5 ––––Entertainers and performers, sports and related workers .............................. 3,740 .3 16 50 .1 16 3Media and communication workers ................................................................ 470 5 ( ) 3 40 .1 1 2Media and communication equipment workers .............................................. 870 .1 21 ––––

Healthcare practitioners and technical occupations ........................................... 44,950 4.2 5 7,550 10.6 10 9,1

Health diagnosing and treating practitioners .................................................. 23,010 2.1 5 2,850 4.0 13 3,7Health technologists and technicians ............................................................. 21,790 2.0 5 4,640 6.5 8 5,4Other healthcare practitioners and technical occupations ............................. 150 5 ( ) 8 70 .1 45 

See footnotes at end of table.

11
TABLE 2. Number, percent distribution, and median days away from work for nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses involving days away 

occupation group and private industry, State government, and local government sectors, 2008 — Continued

Occupation

Private

industry2,3,4

State

government

Number Percent

Median

days away

from work

Number Percent

Median

days away

from work

Numb

Service Occupations .............................................................................................. 235,340 21.8 7 36,720 51.6 8 102,2

Healthcare support occupations ......................................................................... 65,720 6.1 6 8,860 12.5 7 5,8

Nursing, psychiatric, and home health aides ................................................. 54,050 5.0 6 8,090 11.4 7 4,9Occupational and physical therapist assistants and aides ............................. 550 .1 14 90 .1 8 

Other healthcare support occupations ........................................................... 11,120 1.0 5 680 1.0 8 8

Protective service occupations ........................................................................... 10,860 1.0 10 19,720 27.7 9 57,7

First-line supervisors/managers, protective service workers ......................... 470 5 ( ) 20 2,160 3.0 7 6,8

Fire fighting and prevention workers .............................................................. 150 5 ( ) 10 170 .2 5 17,4Law enforcement workers .............................................................................. 480 5 ( ) 10 15,890 22.3 10 29,4Other protective service workers .................................................................... 9,760 .9 10 1,500 2.1 11 4,0

Food preparation and serving related occupations ............................................ 67,160 6.2 6 1,780 2.5 7 6,9

Supervisors, food preparation and serving workers ....................................... 7,160 .7 7 210 .3 4 6Cooks and food preparation workers ............................................................. 24,910 2.3 5 1,010 1.4 7 2,7Food and beverage serving workers .............................................................. 26,870 2.5 6 440 .6 7 1,6Other food preparation and serving related workers ...................................... 8,230 .8 7 120 .2 11 1,8

Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations .......................... 68,670 6.4 7 5,580 7.8 9 29,3

Supervisors, building and grounds cleaning and maintenance workers ........ 4,500 .4 7 250 .4 12 1,5Building cleaning and pest control workers .................................................... 48,830 4.5 7 4,380 6.2 8 22,2Grounds maintenance workers ...................................................................... 15,350 1.4 10 950 1.3 10 5,6

Personal care and service occupations ............................................................. 22,920 2.1 10 780 1.1 9 2,2

Supervisors, personal care and service workers ........................................... 980 .1 13 – – – 

Animal care and service workers ................................................................... 2,400 .2 4 50 .1 42 3Entertainment attendants and related workers .............................................. 2,110 .2 7 30 5 ( ) 12 1

Funeral service workers ................................................................................. 30 5 () 3 – – – – 

Personal appearance workers ....................................................................... 1,190 .1 17 ––––Transportation, tourism, and lodging attendants ............................................ 5,660 .5 20 – – – 

Other personal care and service workers ...................................................... 10,550 1.0 7 680 1.0 9 1,6

Sales and related occupations ............................................................................... 69,410 6.4 7 850 1.2 7 2

Supervisors, sales workers ............................................................................ 17,240 1.6 8 180 .3 16 – Retail sales workers ....................................................................................... 42,900 4.0 7 660 .9 6 1Sales representatives, services ..................................................................... 3,580 .3 7 ––––Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing .................................... 2,980 .3 16 ––––Other sales and related workers .................................................................... 2,710 .3 6 – – – 

Office and administrative support occupations ...................................................... 80,410 7.5 7 5,250 7.4 5 10,2

Supervisors, office and administrative support workers ................................. 4,940 .5 6 310 .4 6 6Communications equipment operators .......................................................... 360 5 ( ) 13 40 .1 2 Financial clerks .............................................................................................. 5,830 .5 4 160 .2 6 4Information and record clerks ......................................................................... 20,280 1.9 9 650 .9 9 1,8Material recording, scheduling, dispatching, and distributing workers ........... 30,780 2.9 7 510 .7 5 1,6Secretaries and administrative assistants ...................................................... 6,520 .6 11 1,260 1.8 6 2,2Other office and administrative support workers ............................................ 11,710 1.1 7 2,310 3.2 5 3,2

Farming, fishing, and forestry occupations ............................................................ 13,510 1.3 6 550 .8 7 

Supervisors, farming, fishing, and forestry workers ....................................... 340 5 ( ) 10 – – – – 

Agricultural workers ........................................................................................ 12,150 1.1 6 300 .4 10 – Fishing and hunting workers .......................................................................... 110 5 () 7 – – – – Forest, conservation, and logging workers .................................................... 900 .1 8 240 .3 5 

Construction and extraction occupations ............................................................... 120,890 11.2 10 3,420 4.8 8 11,3

See footnotes at end of table.

12
TABLE 2. Number, percent distribution, and median days away from work for nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses involving days away 

occupation group and private industry, State government, and local government sectors, 2008 — Continued

Occupation

Private

industry2,3,4

State

government

Number Percent

Median

days away

from work

Number Percent

Median

days away

from work

Numb

Supervisors, construction and extraction workers .......................................... 7,230 0.7 8 210 0.3 10 9Construction trades workers .......................................................................... 99,010 9.2 10 1,420 2.0 8 7,3Helpers, construction trades .......................................................................... 4,480 .4 5 – – – 1Other construction and related workers ......................................................... 3,830 .4 10 1,790 2.5 6 2,9Extraction workers .......................................................................................... 6,350 .6 14 ––––

Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations ................................................. 93,880 8.7 8 2,360 3.3 19 10,6

Supervisors of installation, maintenance, and repair workers ........................ 2,990 .3 6 100 .1 13 3Electrical and electronic equipment mechanics, installers, and repairers ...... 7,720 .7 10 250 .4 50 2Vehicle and mobile equipment mechanics, installers, and repairers ............. 29,780 2.8 7 580 .8 14 2,5Other installation, maintenance, and repair occupations ............................... 53,380 5.0 10 1,430 2.0 13 7,4

Production occupations .......................................................................................... 138,890 12.9 8 930 1.3 7 3,9

Supervisors, production workers .................................................................... 4,830 .4 6 100 .1 1 2Assemblers and fabricators ............................................................................ 21,450 2.0 9 – – – 

Food processing workers ............................................................................... 7,240 .7 7 20 5 () 6 – 

Metal workers and plastic workers ................................................................. 33,580 3.1 8 50 .1 7 3Printing workers ............................................................................................. 3,330 .3 10 40 .1 11 

Textile, apparel, and furnishings workers ....................................................... 6,200 .6 11 60 .1 5 1Woodworkers ................................................................................................. 3,580 .3 10 ––––Plant and system operators ........................................................................... 1,480 .1 12 290 .4 22 1,9Other production occupations ........................................................................ 57,200 5.3 8 370 .5 4 1,1

Transportation and material moving occupations .................................................. 217,070 20.1 11 3,860 5.4 8 21,7

Supervisors, transportation and material moving workers ............................. 4,040 .4 10 120 .2 14 1Air transportation workers .............................................................................. 790 .1 14 ––––Motor vehicle operators .................................................................................. 102,860 9.5 14 2,770 3.9 7 12,0Rail transportation workers ............................................................................ 1,780 .2 39 30 5 ( ) 5 1

Water transportation workers ......................................................................... 1,020 .1 19 80 .1 11 

Other transportation workers .......................................................................... 4,780 .4 10 80 .1 6 1Material moving workers ................................................................................ 101,800 9.4 8 790 1.1 11 9,3

1 Days-away-from-work cases include those that resulted in days away from work, some of

which also included job transfer or restriction.

2 Excludes farms with fewer than 11 employees.3 Data for Mining (Sector 21 in the North American Industry Classification System-- United

States, 2002) include establishments not governed by the Mine Safety and Health Administrationrules and reporting, such as those in Oil and Gas Extraction and related support activities. Data formining operators in coal, metal, and nonmetal mining are provided to BLS by the Mine Safety andHealth Administration, U.S. Department of Labor. Independent mining contractors are excludedfrom the coal, metal, and nonmetal mining industries. These data do not reflect the changes theOccupational Safety and Health Administration made to its recordkeeping requirements effective

January 1, 2002; therefore, estimates for these industries are not cindustries. 

4 Data for employers in rail transportation are provided to 

Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation. 

5 Data too small to be displayed.

NOTE: Dash indicates data do not meet publication guidelines

exclusion of nonclassifiable responses, data may not sum to the tot

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

and Illnesses in cooperation with participating State agencies

13
TABLE 3. Number, incidence rate, and median days away from work for nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses involving days away from 

or illness characteristics and private industry, State government, and local government sectors, 2008

Characteristic

Total private, State, and local

government

Private

 industry

State

 government

Number Incidence rate2 Median days away from work Number Incidence rate2 Median days away from work Number Incidence rate2 Median days away from work Numb

Total ........................................................ 1,355,820 123.3 8 1,078,140 113.3 8 71,100 170.0 8 206,

Musculoskeletal disorders3 ......................... 384,480 35.0 10 317,440 33.4 10 15,340 36.7 10 51,

Nature of injury or illness:

Sprains, strains, tears ................................. 532,590 48.4 9 416,620 43.8 9 28,060 67.1 10 87,Fractures ..................................................... 107,100 9.7 27 89,650 9.4 28 4,390 10.5 16 13,Cuts, lacerations, punctures ....................... 111,560 10.1 4 99,830 10.5 3 2,450 5.9 6 9,

Cuts, lacerations ..................................... 96,850 8.8 4 87,060 9.1 3 2,040 4.9 6 7,Punctures ................................................ 14,710 1.3 3 12,760 1.3 3 410 1.0 10 1,

Amputations ................................................ 6,870 .6 26 6,230 .7 26 40 .1 46 Bruises, contusions ..................................... 120,630 11.0 4 93,650 9.8 4 8,490 20.3 4 18,Heat burns, scalds ...................................... 18,040 1.6 6 15,630 1.6 6 500 1.2 6 1,Chemical burns ........................................... 6,210 .6 3 5,620 .6 3 140 .3 3 Carpal tunnel syndrome .............................. 11,950 1.1 27 10,080 1.1 28 820 2.0 17 1,Tendonitis ................................................... 4,730 .4 13 4,100 .4 11 150 .4 6 Multiple traumatic injuries and disorders .... 59,300 5.4 9 43,960 4.6 9 4,570 10.9 7 10,

Fractures and burns ................................ 10,970 1.0 30 8,840 .9 32 520 1.2 10 1,Sprains and bruises ................................ 23,470 2.1 8 16,780 1.8 8 2,070 4.9 9 4,

Soreness, pain, including back ................... 147,190 13.4 8 114,030 12.0 8 8,610 20.6 7 24,

Back pain only ........................................ 45,900 4.2 6 37,140 3.9 6 2,130 5.1 11 6,

All other natures .......................................... 229,640 20.9 7 178,740 18.8 7 12,870 30.8 7 38,

Event or exposure leading to injury or

illness:

Contact with objects and equipment ........... 339,870 30.9 5 291,880 30.7 5 11,060 26.4 5 36,

Struck by object ...................................... 176,560 16.1 5 152,770 16.1 5 5,880 14.1 5 17,Struck against object .............................. 85,210 7.7 5 70,300 7.4 5 3,190 7.6 6 11,Caught in or compressed by equipment

or objects .............................................. 53,780 4.9 9 49,240 5.2 9 910 2.2 8 3,

Fall to lower level ........................................ 83,310 7.6 14 67,510 7.1 15 4,230 10.1 10 11,Fall on same level ....................................... 207,270 18.8 10 157,680 16.6 10 11,620 27.8 8 37,Slip, trip, loss of balance without fall ........... 45,850 4.2 10 35,420 3.7 10 2,780 6.7 13 7,Overexertion ............................................... 301,190 27.4 10 250,960 26.4 10 11,670 27.9 10 38,

Overexertion in lifting .............................. 154,500 14.1 10 129,990 13.7 10 5,240 12.5 8 19,

Repetitive motion ........................................ 36,540 3.3 17 30,920 3.2 18 2,110 5.0 20 3,Exposure to harmful substances or

environments ............................................ 57,690 5.2 3 45,480 4.8 3 2,750 6.6 4 9,

Transportation incidents ............................. 67,170 6.1 11 48,610 5.1 12 4,120 9.9 6 14,

Highway accident .................................... 44,040 4.0 9 29,550 3.1 10 3,380 8.1 6 11,

Fires and explosions ................................... 3,060 .3 7 2,320 .2 7 50 .1 6 Assaults and violent acts ............................ 48,070 4.4 6 22,690 2.4 5 11,980 28.6 7 13,

By person(s) ........................................... 39,300 3.6 7 16,330 1.7 6 11,330 27.1 7 11,By animal ................................................ 7,690 .7 3 6,120 .6 3 250 .6 4 1,

All other events ........................................... 165,800 15.1 10 124,670 13.1 9 8,710 20.8 10 32,

See footnotes at end of table.

14
TABLE 3. Number, incidence rate, and median days away from work for nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses involving days away from 

or illness characteristics and private industry, State government, and local government sectors, 2008 — Continued

Characteristic

Total private, State, and local

government

Private

 industry

State

 government

Number Incidence rate2 Median days away from work Number Incidence rate2 Median days away from work Number Incidence rate2 Median days away from work Numb

Part of body affected by the injury or

illness:

Head ........................................................... 91,950 8.4 2 73,270 7.7 2 5,640 13.5 3 13,

Eye(s) ..................................................... 32,980 3.0 2 27,450 2.9 2 1,470 3.5 2 4,

Neck, including throat ................................. 20,010 1.8 5 15,890 1.7 6 1,060 2.5 5 3,Trunk ........................................................... 449,910 40.9 10 366,710 38.5 10 19,700 47.1 10 63,

Shoulder, including clavicle, scapula ...... 93,400 8.5 20 74,100 7.8 20 4,490 10.7 15 14,Back, including spine, spinal cord ........... 269,450 24.5 7 222,290 23.4 7 11,130 26.6 8 36,

Upper extremities ........................................ 289,760 26.4 7 244,150 25.7 7 12,440 29.7 7 33,

Arm(s) ..................................................... 59,880 5.4 10 48,420 5.1 10 2,590 6.2 6 8,Wrist(s) ................................................... 56,030 5.1 14 46,660 4.9 14 2,950 7.1 14 6,Hand(s), except finger(s) ........................ 50,280 4.6 6 41,940 4.4 6 2,050 4.9 6 6,Finger(s), fingernail(s) ............................. 108,050 9.8 5 95,080 10.0 5 3,620 8.7 7 9,

Lower extremities ........................................ 310,950 28.3 11 240,760 25.3 11 16,040 38.3 10 54,

Knee(s) ................................................... 123,010 11.2 15 91,830 9.7 15 7,220 17.2 11 23,Ankle(s) ................................................... 71,450 6.5 8 55,270 5.8 8 3,160 7.5 6 13,Foot, toe .................................................. 59,020 5.4 7 49,390 5.2 7 2,630 6.3 9 7,

Body systems ............................................. 23,280 2.1 4 15,860 1.7 4 1,910 4.6 7 5,Multiple body parts ...................................... 158,270 14.4 9 112,200 11.8 9 13,940 33.3 8 32,All other parts of body ................................. 11,690 1.1 5 9,290 1.0 6 380 .9 5 2,

Source of injury or illness:

Chemicals and chemical products .............. 18,470 1.7 3 15,220 1.6 3 620 1.5 3 2,Containers .................................................. 146,080 13.3 9 130,010 13.7 9 3,460 8.3 10 12,Furniture and fixtures .................................. 52,520 4.8 6 42,280 4.4 5 2,470 5.9 8 7,Machinery ................................................... 70,490 6.4 8 64,170 6.7 9 1,690 4.0 4 4,Parts and materials ..................................... 117,460 10.7 7 106,920 11.2 7 2,100 5.0 8 8,Floors, walkways, ground surfaces ............. 284,360 25.9 11 217,420 22.8 11 16,630 39.8 8 50,Handtools .................................................... 56,820 5.2 4 50,530 5.3 4 1,150 2.8 7 5,Vehicles ...................................................... 119,210 10.8 10 91,320 9.6 10 5,980 14.3 7 21,Person, injured or ill worker ........................ 204,270 18.6 10 156,360 16.4 10 11,460 27.4 10 36,

Bodily motion or position of injured,

ill worker ................................................ 194,090 17.7 10 149,490 15.7 10 10,520 25.2 10 34,

Person, other than injured or ill worker ....... 101,480 9.2 7 61,680 6.5 6 16,310 39.0 7 23,

Health care patient .................................. 66,630 6.1 6 49,180 5.2 6 9,180 22.0 7 8,

All other sources ......................................... 184,650 16.8 5 142,220 14.9 5 9,240 22.1 6 33,

1 Days-away-from-work cases include those that resulted in days away from work, some of

which also included job transfer or restriction.

2 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)

3 Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) include cases where the n

sprains, strains, tears; back pain, hurt back; soreness, pain, hurt, syndrome; hernia; or musculoskeletal system and connective tissuthe event or exposure leading to the injury or illness is bodily reactreaching, twisting; overexertion; or repetition.

NOTE: Dash indicates data do not meet publication guidelines. 

exclusion of nonclassifiable responses, data may not sum to the tot

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

Injuries and Illnesses in cooperation with participating State agencie

15
TABLE 4. Number of nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses involving days away from work1 by selected State government and local government 

of injury or illness, 2008

Occupation Total

Nature of injury or illness2

Sprains,

strains,

tears

Fractures

Cuts, lacerations, punctures

Bruises,

contusions

Total Cuts, lacerations Punctures

Total State government ................................................................................................ 71,100 28,060 4,390 2,450 2,040 410 8,490 

Correctional officers and jailers ........................................................................... 12,420 5,200 350 430 340 90 1,700 

Psychiatric aides ................................................................................................. 4,620 1,810 120 80 80 – 590 Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners ...................... 3,800 2,000 110 80 70 – 520 Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants ............................................................ 3,140 1,680 180 30 20 – 520 Police and sheriff’s patrol officers ....................................................................... 2,980 1,080 190 160 150 – 140 

Psychiatric technicians ........................................................................................ 2,920 770 90 – – – 790 Registered nurses ............................................................................................... 2,440 1,060 130 60 30 20 380 

Bus drivers, transit and intercity .......................................................................... 2,360 950 80 90 90 – 470 

Highway maintenance workers ........................................................................... 1,740 760 100 90 50 – 150 First-line supervisors/managers of correctional officers ...................................... 1,580 520 280 40 40 – 120 Office clerks, general .......................................................................................... 1,080 390 140 20 – – 170 Maintenance and repair workers, general ........................................................... 1,080 480 140 50 40 – 70 Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses ............................................. 1,000 410 60 20 20 – 120 

Total local government ................................................................................................. 206,580 87,910 13,060 9,290 7,750 1,540 18,490 

Police and sheriff’s patrol officers ....................................................................... 24,020 9,830 1,990 940 720 220 1,860 

Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners ...................... 20,880 9,360 1,140 1,600 1,440 150 1,980 Fire fighters ......................................................................................................... 16,800 10,390 160 680 660 20 720 Elementary school teachers, except special education ...................................... 8,430 2,530 1,030 160 130 40 1,140 Teacher assistants .............................................................................................. 8,290 3,040 1,200 240 210 30 1,070 Refuse and recyclable material collectors .......................................................... 4,750 1,910 280 380 370 – 550 Bus drivers, transit and intercity .......................................................................... 4,750 2,130 90 30 30 – 550

Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants ............................................................ 4,700 2,790 90 – – – 380 Maintenance and repair workers, general ........................................................... 4,660 2,060 170 330 280 50 320 Landscaping and groundskeeping workers ........................................................ 4,590 2,290 240 180 140 50 280 Bus drivers, school .............................................................................................. 4,560 1,520 310 100 100 – 280 First-line supervisors/managers of fire fighting and prevention workers ............. 3,870 2,180 140 120 110 – 80 Correctional officers and jailers ........................................................................... 3,860 1,280 200 150 140 – 680 Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education ............... 3,510 1,040 540 110 110 – 680 Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand ..................................... 3,340 1,130 180 170 130 40 540 Emergency medical technicians and paramedics ............................................... 3,320 1,920 80 250 100 150 390 Registered nurses ............................................................................................... 2,980 1,460 150 70 40 30 340 

Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators ..................... 2,670 1,250 110 80 70 – 100 First-line supervisors/managers of police and detectives ................................... 2,300 1,180 100 40 40 – 190 Teachers and instructors, all other ...................................................................... 2,220 680 230 140 140 – 330 

Construction laborers .......................................................................................... 2,050 700 90 100 100 – 70 

See footnotes at end of table.

16
TABLE 4. Number of nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses involving days away from work1 by selected State government and local governmen

natures of injury or illness, 2008 — Continued

Occupation

Nature of injury or illness2

Carpal

tunnel

syndrome

Tendonitis

Multiple traumatic injuries and disorders 

Total 

With

fractures,

burns, and

other

injuries

With

sprains

and

bruises

Tot

Total State government ................................................................................................ 820 150 4,570 520 2,070 8,

Correctional officers and jailers ........................................................................... 30 – 810 60 460 1,Psychiatric aides ................................................................................................. – – 320 40 150 1,Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners ...................... 30 – 160 20 110 Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants ............................................................ – – 190 20 130 Police and sheriff’s patrol officers ....................................................................... 110 – 290 120 140 Psychiatric technicians ........................................................................................ – – 110 – 20 Registered nurses ............................................................................................... – – 100 – 60 Bus drivers, transit and intercity .......................................................................... – – 360 – 150 Highway maintenance workers ........................................................................... – – 70 – 30 First-line supervisors/managers of correctional officers ...................................... – – 320 30 – Office clerks, general .......................................................................................... 40 – 50 30 – Maintenance and repair workers, general ........................................................... – – 20 – – Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses ............................................. – – 50 – 40 

Total local government ................................................................................................. 1,040 480 10,760 1,610 4,630 24,

Police and sheriff’s patrol officers ....................................................................... 40 40 1,500 120 760 3,Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners ...................... 130 20 570 120 220 2,Fire fighters ......................................................................................................... – 120 550 20 490 1,Elementary school teachers, except special education ...................................... – – 940 270 440 Teacher assistants .............................................................................................. – – 470 30 170 1,Refuse and recyclable material collectors .......................................................... – – 60 – – Bus drivers, transit and intercity .......................................................................... – – 390 50 70 Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants ............................................................ – 30 160 40 80 Maintenance and repair workers, general ........................................................... – – 110 – 40 Landscaping and groundskeeping workers ........................................................ – – 90 – 60 Bus drivers, school .............................................................................................. 20 – 660 210 80 First-line supervisors/managers of fire fighting and prevention workers ............. – – – – – Correctional officers and jailers ........................................................................... – – 280 100 130 Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education ............... – – 210 20 150 Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand ..................................... 20 – 50 – 20 Emergency medical technicians and paramedics ............................................... – – 60 – 40 Registered nurses ............................................................................................... – 20 100 – 30 Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators ..................... – – 40 – – First-line supervisors/managers of police and detectives ................................... – – 80 20 20 Teachers and instructors, all other ...................................................................... – – 70 – 60 Construction laborers .......................................................................................... 20 – 130 – – 

1 Days-away-from-work cases include those that resulted in days away from work, some of which also

included job transfer or restriction.

2 Data shown in columns correspond to the following Nature codes: Sprains, strains, tears = 021;

Fractures = 012; Cuts, lacerations, punctures = 034, 037; Cuts, lacerations = 034; Punctures = 037; Bruises,contusions = 043; Heat burns = 053; Chemical burns = 051; Amputations = 031; Carpal tunnel syndrome =1241; Tendonitis = 1733; Multiple traumatic injuries and illnesses, Total = 080-089; With fractures, burns,and other injuries = 083, 084; With sprains and bruises = 082; Back pain and pain, except back, Total =0972, 0973; Back pain, hurt back only = 0972; All other natures = all remaining codes, including 9999

(Nonclassifiable). These codes are based on the Occupational developed by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

3 Includes nonclassifiable responses.

NOTE: Dash indicates data do not meet publication guidelines. 

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

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

Illnesses in cooperation with participating State agencies

17
TABLE 5. Number of nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses involving days away from work1 by selected State government and local gover

and selected events or exposures leading to injury or illness, 2008

Occupation Total

Event or exposure leading to injury or illne

Contact with objects

Fall

to

lower

level

Fall

on

same

level

Total

Struck

by

object

Struck

against

object

Caught in orcompressed

or

crushed

Total State government ................................................................................................ 71,100 11,060 5,880 3,190 910 4,230 11,620 

Correctional officers and jailers ........................................................................... 12,420 2,480 1,010 960 240 950 1,830 Psychiatric aides ................................................................................................. 4,620 520 310 160 20 40 450 Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners ...................... 3,800 630 280 230 40 220 680 Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants ............................................................ 3,140 280 140 70 40 110 390 Police and sheriff’s patrol officers ....................................................................... 2,980 350 90 100 – 80 330 Psychiatric technicians ........................................................................................ 2,920 230 120 80 – 60 90 Registered nurses ............................................................................................... 2,440 200 80 20 60 70 350 Bus drivers, transit and intercity .......................................................................... 2,360 370 280 60 – 80 140 Highway maintenance workers ........................................................................... 1,740 460 240 130 50 60 240 First-line supervisors/managers of correctional officers ...................................... 1,580 130 100 20 – 550 360 Office clerks, general .......................................................................................... 1,080 130 40 80 – 150 340 Maintenance and repair workers, general ........................................................... 1,080 290 170 80 20 90 110 Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses ............................................. 1,000 140 90 50 – 80 180 

Total local government ................................................................................................. 206,580 36,930 17,910 11,720 3,620 11,580 37,960 

Police and sheriff’s patrol officers ....................................................................... 24,020 2,440 950 1,110 90 720 3,040 Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners ...................... 20,880 4,610 3,000 920 380 1,190 4,240 Fire fighters ......................................................................................................... 16,800 3,200 1,630 1,220 270 640 1,400 Elementary school teachers, except special education ...................................... 8,430 1,570 870 650 40 850 2,810 Teacher assistants .............................................................................................. 8,290 1,520 1,030 250 130 740 2,160 Refuse and recyclable material collectors .......................................................... 4,750 900 240 350 70 250 380 Bus drivers, transit and intercity .......................................................................... 4,750 730 150 360 40 160 850 Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants ............................................................ 4,700 450 190 140 100 30 710 Maintenance and repair workers, general ........................................................... 4,660 940 390 300 150 220 390 Landscaping and groundskeeping workers ........................................................ 4,590 1,180 490 270 30 100 500 Bus drivers, school .............................................................................................. 4,560 470 90 190 70 610 1,250 First-line supervisors/managers of fire fighting and prevention workers ............. 3,870 720 320 330 – 120 790 Correctional officers and jailers ........................................................................... 3,860 370 220 130 – 130 690 Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education ............... 3,510 540 200 260 20 210 1,650 Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand ..................................... 3,340 1,170 600 70 440 120 420 Emergency medical technicians and paramedics ............................................... 3,320 810 250 340 110 100 360 Registered nurses ............................................................................................... 2,980 370 120 120 60 20 790 Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators ..................... 2,670 540 220 130 140 180 210 First-line supervisors/managers of police and detectives ................................... 2,300 240 110 100 – 60 480 Teachers and instructors, all other ...................................................................... 2,220 270 190 50 20 70 870 Construction laborers .......................................................................................... 2,050 540 390 80 40 40 120 

See footnotes at end of table.

18
TABLE 5. Number of nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses involving days away from work1 by selected State government and local governme

selected events or exposures leading to injury or illness, 2008 — Continued

Occupation

Event or exposure leading to injury or illness2

Repetitive

motion

Exposure

to

harmful

substances

or

environments

Transportation incidents

Fires

and

explosions

Assaults 

Total Highway 

accident Total By person

Total State government ................................................................................................ 2,110 2,750 4,120 3,380 50 11,980 11,330 

Correctional officers and jailers ........................................................................... 210 480 100 80 20 2,440 2,260 Psychiatric aides ................................................................................................. 50 60 20 – – 2,050 1,990 Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners ...................... 140 200 60 50 – 70 70 Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants ............................................................ 40 80 – – – 860 830 Police and sheriff’s patrol officers ....................................................................... 120 90 820 680 – 270 240 Psychiatric technicians ........................................................................................ 20 20 – – – 1,830 1,710 Registered nurses ............................................................................................... – 50 40 30 – 870 810 Bus drivers, transit and intercity .......................................................................... – 30 790 690 – 590 590 Highway maintenance workers ........................................................................... 30 90 180 150 – – – First-line supervisors/managers of correctional officers ...................................... – 40 – – – 170 160 Office clerks, general .......................................................................................... 100 – 30 20 – – – Maintenance and repair workers, general ........................................................... 30 60 20 – – 30 – Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses ............................................. – 20 20 20 – 160 160 

Total local government ................................................................................................. 3,500 9,460 14,430 11,110 690 13,400 11,640 

Police and sheriff’s patrol officers ....................................................................... 170 710 4,710 3,730 80 4,650 4,060 Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners ...................... 450 680 280 170 – 270 240 Fire fighters ......................................................................................................... 140 990 190 170 500 90 70 Elementary school teachers, except special education ...................................... – 250 190 160 – 820 750 Teacher assistants .............................................................................................. 20 80 330 290 – 1,060 1,050 Refuse and recyclable material collectors .......................................................... 40 310 880 540 – 290 – Bus drivers, transit and intercity .......................................................................... 100 130 1,320 1,180 – 300 210 Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants ............................................................ – 90 30 20 – 260 230 Maintenance and repair workers, general ........................................................... – 330 490 420 –––Landscaping and groundskeeping workers ........................................................ 30 270 190 40 – 30 – Bus drivers, school .............................................................................................. 110 60 1,080 1,000 – 40 40 First-line supervisors/managers of fire fighting and prevention workers ............. 100 80 – – 30 – – Correctional officers and jailers ........................................................................... – 200 50 50 – 1,320 1,280 Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education ............... – 130 20 20 – 200 200 Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand ..................................... 70 140 180 70 – – – Emergency medical technicians and paramedics ............................................... – 50 100 80 – – – Registered nurses ............................................................................................... – 90 90 70 – 350 350 Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators ..................... 20 40 190 160 – – – First-line supervisors/managers of police and detectives ................................... 30 110 440 230 – 220 210 Teachers and instructors, all other ...................................................................... 30 90 – – – 150 150 Construction laborers .......................................................................................... 30 270 100 80 – 20 – 

1 Days-away-from-work cases include those that resulted in days away from work, some of which also

included job transfer or restriction.

2 Data shown in columns correspond to the following Event codes: Contact with objects, Total = 00-09;

Struck by object = 020-029; Struck against object = 010-019; Caught in or compressed or crushed =030-049; Fall to lower level = 110-119; Fall on same level = 130-139; Slips or trips without fall = 215;Overexertion, Total = 220-229; In lifting = 221; Repetitive motion = 230-239; Exposure to harmfulsubstances or environments = 30-39; Transportation incidents = 40-49; Highway accident = 41; Fires andexplosions = 50-52; Assaults and violent acts, Total = 60-63; Assaults by person = 61; All other assaults =60, 62, and 63; Assaults by animal = 63; All other events = all remaining codes, including 9999

(Nonclassifiable). These codes are based on the Occupational Ideveloped by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

3 Includes nonclassifiable responses.

NOTE: Dash indicates data do not meet publication guideli

exclusion of nonclassifiable responses, data may not sum to the tot

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

Illnesses in cooperation with participating State agencies

19
TABLE 6. Number, percent distribution, and median days away from work for nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses involving days away 

worker characteristics and private industry, State government, and local government sectors, 2008

Characteristic

Total private, State, and local

government

Private

industry2,3,4

State

government

Number Percent

Median

days away

from work

Number Percent

Median

days away

from work

Number Percent

Median

days away

from work

Num

Total cases ........................................................... 1,355,820 100.0 8 1,078,140 100.0 8 71,100 100.0 8 20Gender:

Male .................................................................. 848,130 62.6 9 688,790 63.9 9 36,670 51.6 8 12Female .............................................................. 502,850 37.1 7 384,930 35.7 7 34,220 48.1 7 8Not reported ...................................................... 4,840 .4 15 4,420 .4 17 210 .3 10 

Age:

14 - 15 .............................................................. 170 5 ( ) 3 130 5 ( ) 4 – – – 

16 - 19 .............................................................. 32,710 2.4 4 31,010 2.9 4 450 .6 4 20 - 24 .............................................................. 119,620 8.8 5 107,880 10.0 5 3,320 4.7 6 25 - 34 .............................................................. 290,530 21.4 6 239,580 22.2 6 13,340 18.8 7 335 - 44 .............................................................. 324,140 23.9 9 251,490 23.3 9 17,560 24.7 8 545 - 54 .............................................................. 341,440 25.2 10 261,030 24.2 10 20,950 29.5 9 555 - 64 .............................................................. 189,580 14.0 12 142,840 13.2 12 11,310 15.9 10 365 and over ....................................................... 36,190 2.7 15 28,420 2.6 15 1,510 2.1 9 

Length of service with employer:

Less than 3 months .......................................... 125,220 9.2 6 117,130 10.9 6 2,090 2.9 8 3 - 11 months .................................................... 241,220 17.8 6 218,510 20.3 6 5,910 8.3 6 11 - 5 years ......................................................... 465,540 34.3 7 388,160 36.0 7 20,090 28.3 7 5More than 5 years ............................................. 503,300 37.1 10 338,320 31.4 11 41,010 57.7 9 12

Race or ethnic origin:

White only ......................................................... 569,590 42.0 7 464,500 43.1 7 20,430 28.7 7 8Black only ......................................................... 106,720 7.9 7 83,970 7.8 6 9,660 13.6 6 1Hispanic or Latino only ..................................... 160,160 11.8 8 145,870 13.5 7 1,790 2.5 10 1Asian only ......................................................... 16,260 1.2 7 15,090 1.4 7 370 .5 6 Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander only .......... 3,540 .3 7 2,920 .3 6 330 .5 15 American Indian or Alaskan Native only ........... 5,430 .4 5 4,230 .4 5 370 .5 5 Hispanic or Latino and other race ..................... 970 .1 10 930 .1 10 – – – 

Multi-race .......................................................... 900 .1 10 760 .1 11 30 5 ( ) 11 Not reported ...................................................... 492,260 36.3 10 359,870 33.4 10 38,120 53.6 8 9

1 Days-away-from-work cases include those that resulted in days away from work, some of which

also included job transfer or restriction.

2 Excludes farms with fewer than 11 employees.3 Data for Mining (Sector 21 in the North American Industry Classification System-- United

States, 2002) include establishments not governed by the Mine Safety and Health Administrationrules and reporting, such as those in Oil and Gas Extraction and related support activities. Data formining operators in coal, metal, and nonmetal mining are provided to BLS by the Mine Safety andHealth Administration, U.S. Department of Labor. Independent mining contractors are excludedfrom the coal, metal, and nonmetal mining industries. These data do not reflect the changes theOccupational Safety and Health Administration made to its recordkeeping requirements effective

January 1, 2002; therefore, estimates for these industries are not industries. 

4 Data for employers in rail transportation are provided to 

Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation. 

5 Data too small to be displayed.

NOTE: Dash indicates data do not meet publication guidelines

exclusion of nonclassifiable responses, data may not sum to the tot

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

and Illnesses in cooperation with participating State agencies

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