BLS Introduces Two Online Tools for Accessing Occupational Injuries and Illnesses Data
by Lawrence H. Leith
Bureau of Labor Statistics

Originally Posted: November 30, 2005

On October 19, 2005, BLS introduced two new online tools to help the public access national and State data on occupational injuries and illnesses. The Occupational Injuries and Illnesses Profiles tool allows users to create customized HTML or Excel tables showing nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses data by industry, by the demographic characteristics of the worker, and by the characteristics surrounding the incident. This tool is an online version of the Profiles system that previously had been available only on CD-ROM. The Injury and Illness Incidence Rate Calculator and Comparison Tool allows users to compute injury and illness incidence rates for their own establishments and to compare them with those of the Nation as a whole or specific States or industries.

Users of the Occupational Injuries and Illnesses Profiles tool can generate three different kinds of tables:

• Table 1 provides estimates of the number of injuries and illnesses resulting in days away from work by various demographic characteristics, as specified by the user. The selection of this type of table yields estimates for any of the following characteristics: gender, age group, major occupational group, length of service with the employer, race or ethnic origin, number of days away from work (including median days), industry sectors, nature of the injury or illness, part of body affected, source of the injury or illness, event or exposure, time of day, hours on the job, and day of the week.



• Table 2 provides incidence rates for injuries and illnesses resulting in days away from work for the characteristics selected by the user. (Incidence rates are the number of injuries or illnesses per 100 full-time workers.) The selection of this type of table yields incidence rates for any of the following characteristics: number of days away from work, industry sectors, nature of the injury or illness, part of body affected, source of the injury or illness, and event or exposure.



• Table 3 provides estimates and incidence rates for the total number of nonfatal workplace injury and illness cases (not just those requiring days away from work) for the specific industry selected by the user, as well as for all industries. The selection of this type of table yields estimates and rates for the following categories: total cases; cases with days away from work, job transfer, or restriction; cases with days away from work only; cases with job transfer or restriction only; other recordable cases; injuries only; illnesses only; and specific illness categories.

The Injury and Illness Incidence Rate Calculator and Comparison Tool is designed for employers, although anyone may use the tool. It allows users to calculate injury and illness incidence rates for their specific establishment or firm and to compare them with those of other firms or with the averages for the industry in which the establishment is found. The tool provides step-by-step instructions for calculating the establishment-specific incidence rates. Federal regulations require establishments to maintain detailed records of all work-related injuries and illnesses using standardized forms. Thus, the tool’s instructions indicate where on the various injury and illness forms employers can find the items needed for the calculation. In addition, the Help section provides definitions of the data items needed to calculate the rates.

More information on these new tools can be obtained by contacting the BLS Office of Safety, Health, and Working Conditions. Phone: 202-691-6170; email: iifstaff@bls.gov.

Lawrence H. Leith
Economist, Office of Publications and Special Studies, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Telephone: (202) 691-7922; E-mail: Leith.Lawrence@bls.gov