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Production workers 55 years and older see increase in workplace injuries and illnesses in 2017
July 22, 2019
In 2017, workers 55 years and older experienced 252,470 injuries or illnesses resulting in days away from work. This was essentially the same number as reported for 2016, however these workers experienced an increase in the number of days-away-from-work cases in six occupation groups. In 2017, there were 24,540 days-away-from-work cases among older production workers, up 2,310 cases from 2016 and 4,920 cases from 2011 estimates.
Number of days away from work cases by selected major occupation groups for ages 55 years and older, 2011–2017
Occupation group
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
Farming, fishing and forestry
1,560
1,950
2,100
1,940
2,040
1,910
2,450
Healthcare support
11,190
10,820
11,430
10,850
11,620
10,460
11,620
Education, training and library
10,870
11,280
12,090
9,600
11,910
10,390
11,820
Sales and related
14,260
14,480
14,890
13,650
16,130
14,340
15,110
Installation, maintenance and repair
18,350
18,960
20,110
23,190
23,920
21,280
23,260
Production
19,620
20,670
21,250
21,600
22,350
22,230
24,540
In 2017, the leading event or exposure under which workers 55 years and older required days away from work to recover varied among occupation groups. Falls, slips, trips was the leading event for older workers in education, training and library occupations (56 percent) and sales and related occupations (47 percent). For those employed in installation, maintenance, and repair occupations the leading event was overexertion and bodily reactions (43 percent).
Percent distribution of selected events or exposures for workers 55 and older, all ownerships, 2017
Occupation group
Falls, slips, trips
Overexertion and bodily reaction
Contact with objects and equipment
Violence and other injuries by persons or animals
All other events or exposures
Total
Education, training and library
55.7%
12.4%
11.3%
18.8%
1.9%
100.0%
Healthcare support
36.7%
35.9%
9.7%
13.3%
4.3%
100.0%
Sales and related
46.7%
32.5%
15.6%
1.6%
3.6%
100.0%
Farming, fishing and forestry
34.7%
18.4%
24.5%
12.7%
9.8%
100.0%
Installation, maintenance and repair
24.6%
43.2%
23.6%
0.5%
8.1%
100.0%
Production
27.6%
38.5%
29.4%
0.3%
4.3%
100.0%
Number of selected events or exposures for workers 55 and older, all ownerships, 2017
Occupation group
Falls, slips, trips
Overexertion and bodily reaction
Contact with objects and equipment
Violence and other injuries by persons or animals
All other events or exposures
Total
Education, training and library
6,580
1,470
1,330
2,220
220
11,820
Healthcare support
4,270
4,170
1,130
1,550
500
11,620
Sales and related
7,060
4,910
2,350
240
550
15,110
Farming, fishing and forestry
850
450
600
310
240
2,450
Installation, maintenance and repair
5,730
10,040
5,490
110
1,890
23,260
Production
6,770
9,440
7,210
70
1,050
24,540
Violent events from persons or animals accounted for 19 percent of the days-away-from-work cases incurred by workers 55 years and older in education, training and library occupations. Those employed in farming, fishing, and forestry and in healthcare support sustained injuries through violent events in about 13 percent of their cases. Violent events accounted for approximately 4 percent of all injuries sustained by older workers and approximately 7 percent for all U.S. workers in 2017.
United States Department of Labor
