December 13, 2006—The rate of workplace injuries and illnesses in private industry requiring time away from work declined slightly in 2005, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported in November. A total of 1.2 million injuries and illnesses in private industry required recuperation away from work during 2005—a 4 percent decrease from 2004.
BLS notes that a 2 percent increase in the number of hours worked in 2005 contributed to the decline in the rate. Median days away from work–a key measure of the severity of the injury or Illness—was seven days for all cases in 2005, as it was in 2004.
Following are some of the key findings for 2005:
- Sprains and strains were the leading nature of injury and illness in every major industry sector. There was a decrease of 4 percent in these injuries from 2004, led by the manufacturing sector, which experienced an 8 percent decline. More than a third of the sprains and strains occurred in the trade, transportation, and utilities industry, with healthcare workers close behind.
- The incidence rate for carpal tunnel syndrome decreased by nearly 14 percent.
- The part of the body most affected by work incidents was the trunk, including the shoulder and back, which accounted for 35 percent of all cases.
- Floors, walkways, and ground surfaces accounted for 19 percent of all sources of injury or illness. Worker motion or position accounted for 15 percent.
For more detailed information, including the time of day and day of the week the injury or illness occurred, demographic characteristics, length of service with the employer at the time of the incident, and more, see the BLS report.
