October 25, 2006 (The Editor’s Desk is updated each business day.)

Incidence rates of nonfatal occupational illnesses by industry, 2005

In 2005, the manufacturing sector had a nonfatal occupational illness incidence rate of 66.1 cases per 10,000 workers.

[Chart data—TXT]

Within the manufacturing sector, hearing loss—with an incidence rate of 15.7—was the most common nonfatal occupational illness.

The incidence rate for workplace illnesses was 36.7 in education and health services, and 25.5 in natural resources and mining. In both these industries, skin diseases or disorders were the most common occupational illness.

Financial activities was the industry with the lowest incidence rate of occupational illness. 

These data are from the BLS Injuries, Illnesses and Fatalities program.  The incidence rates represent the number of illnesses per 10,000 full-time workers. To learn more, see "Workplace Injuries and Illnesses in 2005" (PDF) (TXT), news release USDL 06-1816.

 

Related TED article:

• Injuries and illnesses rates down again in 2005