11/04/2020 News Release: Employer-Reported Workplace Injuries and Illnesses--2019
For release 10:00 a.m. (ET) Wednesday, November 4, 2020 USDL-20-2030
Technical information: (202) 691-6170 *IIFSTAFF@bls.gov *www.bls.gov/iif
Media contact: (202) 691-5902 *PressOffice@bls.gov
EMPLOYER-REPORTED WORKPLACE INJURIES AND ILLNESSES - 2019
Private industry employers reported 2.8 million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses in 2019,
unchanged from 2018, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. These estimates are from the
Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII).
In 2019, the incidence rate of total recordable cases (TRC) in private industry was 2.8 cases per 100 full-
time equivalent (FTE) workers, which was the rate reported in 2018 and 2017. (See chart 1.) The
incidence rate of days away from work (DAFW) cases was 0.9 cases per 100 FTE workers and the
incidence rate of days of job transfer and restriction only (DJTR) cases was 0.7 cases per 100 FTE
workers, which were the rates reported in 2018. (See chart 2.)
There were 888,220 nonfatal injuries and illnesses that caused a private industry worker to miss at least
one day of work in 2019, essentially unchanged from 2018.
(Charts 1 and 2 appear here in the printed release.)
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
| Changes in Industry and Occupation Classification Structure |
| Information in this release incorporates revisions to both the North American Industry Classification |
| System (NAICS) and the Standard Occupational Classification codes (SOC). Comparison of SOII |
| estimates for 2019 to prior years should be done with caution due to these changes. More |
| information on NAICS can be found at www.bls.gov/bls/naics.htm. More information on SOC can |
| be found at www.bls.gov/soc/2018/home.htm. |
|_________________________________________________________________________________________________________|
Industry
Manufacturing accounted for 15.0 percent of all private industry nonfatal injuries and illnesses in 2019
and was the only private industry sector where the TRC rate had a statistically significant change over
the year. The rate decreased from 3.4 in 2018 to 3.3 cases per 100 FTE workers in 2019. (See table 1.) The
number of nonfatal cases was 421,400, essentially unchanged from 2018. (See table 2.)
Injuries and illnesses to manufacturing workers resulted in 32,470 DAFW cases of sprains, strains, or
tears (28.0 percent); 16,790 cases of soreness or pain (14.5 percent); and 15,380 cases involving cuts,
lacerations, or punctures (13.3 percent). (See table 3.)
TRC rates decreased for several manufacturing industry groups. The rate for motor vehicle body and
trailer manufacturing decreased from 7.2 cases in 2018 to 6.3 cases per 100 FTE workers in 2019. (See
chart 3.) Spring and wire product manufacturing was the only industry group with an increase in its TRC
rate in 2019. The TRC rate increased from 3.9 cases in 2018 to 5.4 cases per 100 FTE workers in 2019.
(Charts 3 appears here in the printed release.)
Nonfatal occupational injury and illness estimates by industry and case type are available at
www.bls.gov/web/osh/summ1_00.htm and www.bls.gov/web/osh/summ2_00.htm.
Occupation
Ten occupations accounted for 33.2 percent of all private industry cases involving days away from work
in both 2018 and 2019. (See table 4.) Of these, laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand
had the highest number of DAFW cases with 64,160; followed by heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers
with 47,990. The incidence rates involving DAFW for these 10 occupations increased over the year.
(See chart 4.)
The median number of days away from work in private industry in 2019 was 8 days, the same as 2018.
Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers had a median number of DAFW of 19 days, down from 23 days
in 2018. Light truck drivers had a median of 20 days, an increase of 4 days from 2018. The median days
for maintenance and repair workers, general; and laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand
increased to 12 days in 2019 from 10 days in 2018.
(Charts 4 appear here in the printed release.)
Additional Highlights
* Within private industry, the rate of total recordable cases of nonfatal injuries and illnesses in the
retail trade sector was essentially unchanged from a year ago. In 2018, the rate increased to 3.5
cases from 3.3 cases per 100 FTE workers in 2017. (See table 1.)
* Private industry workers age 65 years or over had a median of 16 days away from work due to
injuries and illnesses in 2019, compared to 8 days for all private industry workers.
* Private industry workers with sprains, strains, or tears resulting in days away from work visited
medical treatment facilities at a rate of 6.5 cases per 10,000 FTE workers in 2019, down from 7.3
cases in 2018. Medical treatment facilities include emergency room visits and/or in-patient
hospitalization.
* Within private industry, the DAFW incidence rate for men decreased from 94.3 in 2018 to 91.7
cases in 2019 and the rate for women decreased from 83.4 in 2018 to 80.4 cases per 10,000 FTE
workers in 2019.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
| Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic Impact on the Survey of Occupational Injuries and |
| Illnesses |
| Estimates in this news release are for reference year 2019. No changes in estimation procedures or |
| outputs were necessary due to COVID-19. Additional information is available at |
| www.bls.gov/covid19/effects-of-covid-19-on-workplace-injuries-and-illnesses-compensation-and- |
| occupational-requirements.htm. |
|_________________________________________________________________________________________________________|
Additional Information
This news release is the first of two releases from BLS covering occupational safety and health statistics
for the 2019 calendar year. The SOII presents estimates of counts and incidence rates of employer-
reported nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses by industry and type of case, as well as detailed
estimates of case circumstances and worker characteristics for cases that resulted in days away from
work. A second release on December 16, 2020, will provide results from the Census of Fatal
Occupational Injuries (CFOI) of all fatal work injuries occurring in the U.S. during the calendar year.
Data and analysis in this release highlight case circumstances and worker characteristics for nonfatal
injuries and illnesses that resulted in days away from work. Incidence rates for days away from work
cases are published per 10,000 full-time employees. Incidence rates per 10,000 workers can be
converted to rates per 100 workers by moving the decimal point left, two places, and rounding the
resulting rate to the nearest tenth. Data users are cautioned to account for different levels of precision
when analyzing estimates presented in this release.
BLS has generated estimates of nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses for many industries as
defined in the 2017 North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) manual. Tables including
cross-tabulations for various case circumstances and worker characteristics are available at
www.bls.gov/web/osh.supp.toc.htm. For additional information on nonfatal injury and illness estimates,
see www.bls.gov/iif/soii-overview.htm.
The SOII bases definitions for emergency room and hospital visits on Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA) Regulations. (See www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1904/1904.39
for additional information.)
All statements of comparison made in this news release are statistically significant at the 95 percent
confidence level. Additional background and methodological information regarding the BLS
occupational safety and health statistics program is located in the BLS Handbook of Methods at
www.bls.gov/opub/hom/soii/home.htm.
Additional data from the SOII are available on the BLS website at www.bls.gov/iif, from BLS staff at
(202) 691-6170, or by email at IIFSTAFF@bls.gov. Information in this release is available to sensory
impaired individuals upon request. Voice phone: (202) 691-5200; Federal Relay Service: (800) 877-
8339.
TABLE 1. Incidence rates of nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses by selected industry and case types,
private industry, 2018-19
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
| |
| Total | Cases
| recordable | with days
| cases (2) | away from
| | work(2),(3)
Industry(1) |_______________________|_______________________
| | | |
| 2018 | 2019 | 2018 | 2019
| | | |
____________________________________________________|___________|___________|___________|___________
| | | |
Private industry(4) | 2.8 | 2.8 | 0.9 | 0.9
Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting(4) | 5.3 | 5.2 | 1.7 | 1.7
Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction(5) | 1.4 | 1.2 | 0.6 | 0.5
Utilities | 1.9 | 2.2 | 0.7 | 0.7
Construction | 3.0 | 2.8 | 1.2 | 1.1
Manufacturing | 3.4 | 3.3 | 0.9 | 0.9
Wholesale trade | 2.9 | 2.7 | 1.0 | 1.0
Retail trade | 3.5 | 3.4 | 1.1 | 1.0
Transportation and warehousing(6) | 4.5 | 4.4 | 2.1 | 2.0
Information | 1.3 | 1.2 | 0.6 | 0.5
Finance and insurance | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 0.1
Real estate and rental and leasing | 2.3 | 2.3 | 0.8 | 0.7
Professional, scientific, and technical services | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 0.2
Management of companies and enterprises | 0.8 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 0.2
Administrative and support and waste management | | | |
and remediation services | 2.3 | -- | 0.9 | --
Educational services | 1.9 | 2.0 | 0.6 | 0.6
Health care and social assistance | 3.9 | 3.8 | 1.1 | 1.0
Arts, entertainment, and recreation | 4.1 | 4.0 | 1.1 | 1.1
Accommodation and food services | 3.1 | 3.2 | 0.9 | 0.9
Other services (except public administration) | 2.2 | 2.0 | 0.8 | 0.7
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
(1) Data are coded using the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). For more information on the version
of NAICS used in this year, see our Handbook of Methods concepts page: https://www.bls.gov/opub/hom/soii/concepts.htm.
(2) The incidence rates represent the number of injuries and illnesses per 100 full-time workers and were calculated as:
(N/EH) x 200,000, where
N = number of injuries and illnesses
EH = total hours worked by all employees during the calendar year
200,000 = base for 100 equivalent full-time workers (working 40 hours per week, 50 weeks per year)
(3) Days-away-from-work cases include those that result in days away from work with or without job transfer
or restriction.
(4) Excludes farms with fewer than 11 employees.
(5) Data for Mining (Sector 21 in the North American Industry Classification System United States, 2012)
include establishments not governed by the Mine Safety and Health Administration rules and reporting, such as
those in Oil and Gas Extraction and related support activities. Data for mining operators in coal, metal, and
nonmetal mining are provided to BLS by the Mine Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor.
Independent mining contractors are excluded from the coal, metal, and nonmetal mining industries. These data
do not reflect the changes the Occupational Safety and Health Administration made to its recordkeeping
requirements effective January 1, 2002 therefore, estimates for these industries are not comparable to
estimates in other industries.
(6) Data for employers in rail transportation are provided to BLS by the Federal Railroad Administration, U.S.
Department of Transportation.
Note: Dash indicates data do not meet publication guidelines, data may be too small to be displayed.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, in
cooperation with participating state agencies.
TABLE 2. Number of nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses by selected industry and case
types, private industry, 2018-19 (thousands)
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
| |
| Total | Cases
| recordable | with days
| cases | away from
| | work(2)
Industry(1) |_______________________|______________________
| | | |
| 2018 | 2019 | 2018 | 2019
| | | |
___________________________________________________|___________|___________|__________|___________
| | | |
Private industry(3) | 2,834.5 | 2,814.0 | 900.4 | 888.2
Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting(3) | 54.4 | 50.9 | 17.4 | 17.0
Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction(4) | 9.8 | 9.4 | 4.1 | 4.2
Utilities | 10.6 | 12.0 | 3.6 | 3.7
Construction | 199.1 | 200.1 | 77.5 | 79.7
Manufacturing | 430.3 | 421.4 | 118.6 | 116.1
Wholesale trade | 160.8 | 153.6 | 56.2 | 55.5
Retail trade | 409.9 | 395.7 | 126.9 | 120.2
Transportation and warehousing(5) | 221.4 | 227.9 | 103.6 | 103.6
Information | 33.3 | 31.6 | 15.6 | 13.0
Finance and insurance | 28.5 | 26.1 | 7.1 | 7.5
Real estate and rental and leasing | 46.1 | 46.2 | 16.0 | 14.9
Professional, scientific, and technical services | 70.5 | 72.8 | 16.3 | 17.2
Management of companies and enterprises | 17.5 | 16.9 | 4.7 | 4.7
Administrative and support and waste management | | | |
and remediation services | 118.6 | -- | 46.5 | --
Educational services | 36.9 | 38.6 | 11.6 | 12.1
Health care and social assistance | 577.4 | 575.2 | 155.6 | 151.4
Arts, entertainment, and recreation | 57.9 | 56.4 | 16.0 | 15.3
Accommodation and food services | 278.5 | 288.7 | 77.8 | 82.9
Other services (except public administration) | 72.8 | 64.6 | 25.5 | 21.8
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
(1) Data are coded using the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). For more information on the version
of NAICS used in this year, see our Handbook of Methods concepts page: https://www.bls.gov/opub/hom/soii/concepts.htm.
(2) Days-away-from-work cases include those that result in days away from work with or without job transfer
or restriction.
(3) Excludes farms with fewer than 11 employees.
(4) Data for Mining (Sector 21 in the North American Industry Classification System United States, 2012)
include establishments not governed by the Mine Safety and Health Administration rules and reporting, such as
those in Oil and Gas Extraction and related support activities. Data for mining operators in coal, metal, and
nonmetal mining are provided to BLS by the Mine Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor.
Independent mining contractors are excluded from the coal, metal, and nonmetal mining industries. These data
do not reflect the changes the Occupational Safety and Health Administration made to its recordkeeping
requirements effective January 1, 2002 therefore, estimates for these industries are not comparable to
estimates in other industries.
(5) Data for employers in rail transportation are provided to BLS by the Federal Railroad Administration, U.S.
Department of Transportation.
Note: Dash indicates data do not meet publication guidelines, data may be too small to be displayed.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, in
cooperation with participating state agencies.
TABLE 3. Number of nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses involving days away from work by
selected nature of injury or illness, private industry manufacturing sector, 2018-19
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
| |
| Private industry | Manufacturing(1)
|_____________________|_____________________
Characteristic | | | |
| 2018 | 2019 | 2018 | 2019
| | | |
____________________________________________________|__________|__________|__________|__________
| | | |
Total(2) | 900,380 | 888,220 | 118,580 | 116,070
| | | |
Nature of injury or illness(3) | | | |
Sprains, strains, tears | 308,630 | 295,180 | 34,270 | 32,470
Soreness, pain | 159,600 | 157,440 | 15,950 | 16,790
Bruises, contusions | 79,250 | 80,640 | 8,870 | 9,050
Cuts, lacerations, punctures | 92,840 | 89,730 | 14,860 | 15,380
Fractures | 79,470 | 85,710 | 13,210 | 13,400
____________________________________________________|__________|__________|__________|__________
(1) Data are coded using the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). For more
information on the version of NAICS used in this year, see our Handbook of Methods concepts
page: https://www.bls.gov/opub/hom/soii/concepts.htm.
(2) Days-away-from-work cases include those that result in days away from work with or without job transfer
or restriction.
(3) Based on the Occupational Injury and Illness Classification System 2.01 developed by the Bureau of
Labor Statistics.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, in
cooperation with participating state agencies.
TABLE 3A. Number and incidence rates for total recordable cases of nonfatal occupational injuries
and illnesses in selected private manufacturing industries, 2018-19
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
| |
| Rate(2) | Number
| |
Industry(1) |_______________________|______________________
| | | |
| 2018 | 2019 | 2018 | 2019
| | | |
___________________________________________________|___________|___________|__________|___________
| | | |
Manufacturing | 3.4 | 3.3 | 430,300 | 421,400
Household appliance manufacturing | 2.8 | 2.2 | 1,700 | 1,300
Clay product and refractory manufacturing | 4.5 | 2.8 | 1,800 | 1,100
Machine shops; turned product; and screw, nut, | | | |
and bolt manufacturing | 3.9 | 3.2 | 13,800 | 11,700
Animal slaughtering and processing | 4.3 | 4.0 | 23,500 | 22,100
Motor vehicle body and trailer manufacturing | 7.2 | 6.3 | 11,900 | 10,200
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
(1) Data are coded using the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). For more information
on the version of NAICS used in this year, see our Handbook of Methods concepts page:
https://www.bls.gov/opub/hom/soii/concepts.htm.
(2) The incidence rates represent the number of injuries and illnesses per 100 full-time workers and
were calculated as: (N/EH) x 200,000, where N = number of injuries and illnesses;
EH = total hours worked by all employees during the calendar year;
200,000 = base for 100 equivalent full-time workers (working 40 hours per week, 50 weeks per year).
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, in
cooperation with participating state agencies.
TABLE 4. Number, incidence rates, and median days for nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses
requiring days away from work (DAFW), selected occupations, private industry, 2018-19
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
| |
| 2018 | 2019
|_______________________________|_______________________________
Occupation(1) | | | | | |
| | | | | |
| Number | Rate(2) | Median | Number | Rate(2) | Median
| | | DAFW | | | DAFW
______________________________________________________|__________|__________|_________|_________ |__________|_________
| | | | | |
Laborers and freight, stock and material movers, | | | | | |
hand | 66,300 | 252.1 | 10 | 64,160 | 275.5 | 12
Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers | 48,050 | 249.4 | 23 | 47,990 | 280.0 | 19
Nursing assistants | 29,490 | 255.7 | 6 | 27,590 | 283.5 | 6
Stockers and order fillers | 25,100 | 146.8 | 11 | 27,390 | 176.3 | 10
Retail salespersons | 26,670 | 72.1 | 7 | 24,870 | 80.2 | 8
Light truck drivers | 22,270 | 226.8 | 16 | 23,070 | 270.1 | 20
Maintenance and repair workers, general | 21,130 | 182.5 | 10 | 21,490 | 204.6 | 12
Registered nurses | 20,040 | 88.4 | 7 | 20,150 | 102.1 | 8
Construction laborers | 20,430 | 209.3 | 10 | 19,790 | 231.0 | 11
Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping | | | | | |
cleaners | 19,090 | 137.1 | 8 | 18,680 | 157.4 | 10
______________________________________________________|__________|__________|_________|__________|__________|_________
(1) Data are coded using the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC). For more information on the version of
SOC used in this year, see our Handbook of Methods concepts page: https://www.bls.gov/opub/hom/soii/concepts.htm.
(2) The 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).
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, in
cooperation with participating state agencies.
United States Department of Labor
