March 26, 2004 (The Editor’s Desk is updated each business day.)

Events causing occupational injuries

The incidence rates (the number of injuries and illnesses per 10,000 full-time employees) for events leading to workplace injuries and illnesses vary by industry.

[Chart data—TXT]

In goods-producing industries such as construction and manufacturing, which make up about 20 percent of private industry employment but account for one-third of injuries and illnesses requiring days away from work, contact with objects and equipment—such as being struck by an object—was the most prevalent event.

This is in contrast to service-producing industries, which make up 80 percent of private industry employment and account for two-thirds of the most severe injuries and illnesses. In these industries, overexertion—especially overexertion by lifting—was the most prevalent event.

These data are from the BLS Injuries, Illnesses, and Fatalities program. For additional information, see Lost-worktime Injuries and Illnesses: Characteristics and Resulting Time Away From Work, 2002 (PDF) (TXT), news release USDL 04-460. The goods-producing industries are agriculture, forestry, and fishing; mining; construction; and manufacturing. The service-producing industries are transportation and public utilities; wholesale trade; retail trade; and finance, insurance, and real estate. Industry categories in this article are based on the 1987 Standard Industrial Classification system.