October 17, 2007 (The Editor’s Desk is updated each business day.)

Decline in injuries and illnesses rates continued in 2006

Nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses among private industry employers in 2006 occurred at a rate of 4.4 cases per 100 equivalent full-time workers—a decline from 4.6 cases in 2005.

[Chart data—TXT]

The rate in 2006 was the lowest since the workplace injuries and illnesses survey was first conducted in 1972.

There were rate declines for injuries and illnesses in both goods-producing and service-providing industries between 2005 and 2006—the rate fell from 6.2 cases per 100 full-time workers to 5.9 cases in goods-producing industries and from 4.1 cases per 100 full-time workers to 3.9 cases in service-providing industries.

Data from the BLS Injuries and Illnesses and Fatalities program provide a wide range of information about workplace injuries and illnesses by industry sector. Additional information is available from "Workplace Injuries and Illnesses in 2006," news release USDL 07-1562.