Older Workers
As the U.S. labor force grows, it becomes markedly older. As illustrated in Chapter 1, the age distribution of the labor force is shifting. Employment data for 2001 show that workers aged 55 and older represented 22.9% of the workers employed in agriculture versus 10%–15% in the other major industry sectors [BLS 2001]. By 2010, middle-aged and older workers will outnumber younger workers (see Figure 1–1). For the year 2010, BLS projects employment of 21.2 million workers aged 55–64 (compared with 13.9 million in 2000) and 5.4 million workers aged 65 and older (compared with 4.2 million in 2000) (see Figure 1–1). Older workers are known to experience high rates of traumatic fatalities and are also more susceptible to chronic disease and related conditions.
BLS reported that the number of fatal injuries during 1992–2002 ranged from 767 in 1992 to 875 in 1997 for workers aged 55–64, and from 467 in 1992 to 565 in 1999 for workers aged 65 and older. Rates varied from 8 per 100,000 workers in 1994 to 5 per 100,000 workers aged 55–64 in 2002. For workers aged 65 and older, rates declined from 15 per 100,000 workers in 1993 to 11.5 in 2002 (Figure 5–22). Most fatalities (94% during the 11-year period) occurred among male workers (Figure 5–23), and white, non-Hispanic workers (82.1% among workers aged 55 and older) (Figure 5–24). During 1992–2002, slightly more than half of all fatal occupational injuries among workers aged 55 and older occurred among operators, fabricators, and laborers (4,075 or 28.0%) and workers in farming, forestry, and fishing (3,880 or 26.7%) (Figure 5–25). The agriculture, forestry, and fishing industry experienced the largest share of fatal occupational injuries (3,629 or 27.1%) (Figure 5–26). Transportation incidents accounted for 6,737 or 45.8% of fatal occupational injuries among workers aged 55 and older during 1992–2002 (Figure 5–27). Among transportation incidents, highway, nonhighway (farm and industrial), and being struck by vehicle or mobile equipment were principal sources of fatal occupational injuries (Figure 5–27).
BLS reports from employers show that cases of nonfatal occupational injury and illness involving days away from work among workers aged 55 and older ranged from 148,249 cases in 1993 to 126,494 cases in 1996 (Figure 5–28). The number of cases in 2001 (135,690 cases) is consistent with a slight increase in reported cases since 1996. Older workers experience more severe injuries as measured by the median number of days away from work. Workers aged 55–64 had a median of 10 days away from work, and those aged 65 and older had a median of 14 days. Overall, private sector workers had a median of 6 days away from work (Figure 5–29). During 2001, the highest proportions of cases occurred among operators, fabricators, and laborers for workers aged 55–64 (34.8% or 47,095 cases) and 65 and older (31.5% or 7,704 cases) (Figure 5–30). Services, manufacturing (durable), and wholesale and retail trade together account for 67% of all nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses involving days away from work among workers aged 55–64. The same industry sectors predominated for workers aged 65 and older, accounting for nearly 75% of all cases (Figure 5–31).
Fatal Injuries
Magnitude and Trend
How did the numbers and rates of fatal occupational injuries change among older workers during 1992–2002?
 | Figure 5-22 Numbers and rates of fatal occupational injuries among workers aged 55-64 and older, 1992-2002. Rates of fatal occupational injuries among older workers declined during 1992-2002. For workers aged 55-64, rates varied from 8 per 100,000 workers in 1994 to 5 in 2002. The number of fatal occupational injuries ranged from 767 in 1992 to 875 in 1997. For workers aged 65 and older, rates declined from 15 per 100,000 workers in 1993 to 11.5 in 2002. The number of fatal occupational injuries in this group ranged from 467 in 1992 to 565 in 1999. (Note: BLS rounded rates to whole numbers for 1992-1995.) (Source: BLS [2003d].) |
Sex
How did fatal occupational injuries vary by sex of worker among workers aged 55 and older during 1992–2002?
 | Figure 5-23 Number of fatal occupational injuries among workers aged 55 and older by sex, 1992-2002. Male workers accounted for most fatal occupational injuries among older workers (94% during the 11-year period). From year to year, small differences occur in the number of fatal injuries among women, ranging from 67 in 1992 to 101 in 1995. (Source: BLS [2003d].) |
Race/Ethnicity
How did fatal occupational injuries vary by race/ethnicity among workers aged 55 and older during 1992–2002?
 | Figure 5-24 Distribution and number of fatal occupational injuries among workers aged 55 and older by race/ethnicity, 1992-2002. White, non-Hispanic workers accounted for 12,075 or 82.1% of fatal occupational injuries among workers aged 55 and older. Black, non-Hispanic workers in this age group accounted for 1,237 fatal occupational injuries or 8.4% of the total. Hispanic workers suffered 854 fatal occupational injuries or 5.8%. (Source: BLS [2003d].) |
Occupation
How did fatal occupational injuries differ by major occupational group among workers aged 55 and older during 1992–2002?
 | Figure 5-25 Distribution and number of fatal occupational injuries among workers aged 55 and older by occupation, 1992-2002. Two groups accounted for slightly more than half of fatal occupational injuries among workers aged 55 and older: operators, fabricators, and laborers (4,075 or 28.0%) and farming, forestry, and fishing (3,880 or 26.7%). Three occupations each accounted for approximately 13% of the fatal injuries: managerial and professional specialty; technical, sales, and administrative support; and precision production, craft, and repair. (Source: BLS [2003d].) |
Industry
How did fatal occupational injuries differ by major private industry sector among workers aged 55 and older during 1992–2002?
 | Figure 5-26 Distribution and number of fatal occupational injuries among workers aged 55 and older by industry, 1992-2002. Among workers aged 55 and older, those in agriculture, forestry, and fishing experienced the largest share of fatal occupational injuries (3,629 or 27.1%) during 1992-2002. Five industries accounted for nearly 64% of these fatalities: transportation and public utilities (1,974 or 14.7%), services (1,817 or 13.6%), construction (1,756 or 13.1%), manufacturing (1,554 or 11.6%), and retail trade (1,474 or 11.0%). (Source: BLS [2003d].) |
Event or Exposure
How did fatal occupational injuries differ by event or exposure among workers aged 55 and older during 1992–2002?
 | Figure 5-27 Distribution and number of fatal occupational injuries among workers aged 55 and older by event or exposure, 1992-2002. Transportation incidents (6,737 or 45.8%), contacts with objects and equipment (2,508 or 17.0%), and assaults and violent acts (2,270 or 15.4%) were major types of fatal occupational injuries during this 11-year period. Among the transportation incidents, highway (3,200), nonhighway (farm and industrial) (1,701), and being struck by a vehicle or mobile equipment (1,074) were principal sources of fatal occupational injuries. (Source: BLS [2003d].) |
Nonfatal Injuries and Illnesses
Magnitude and Trend
How did nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses involving days away from work change among workers aged 55 and older during 1992–2001?
 | Figure 5-28 Number of nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses involving days away from work among workers aged 55 and older in private industry, 1992-2001. Recorded cases of nonfatal occupational injury and illness involving days away from work among workers aged 55 and over ranged from 148,249 cases in 1993 to 126,494 cases in 1996. The number of cases in 2001 (135,690 cases) is consistent with a slight increase in reported cases since 1996. Data for workers aged 65 and older show a similar pattern (a decrease in the first half of the decade followed by an increase in the second half), with numbers ranging from 17,664 in 1996 to 25,334 in 2000. (Sources: BLS [2003b,c].) |
Severity
How did nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses involving days away from work vary by severity for workers aged 55 and older in 2001?
 | Figure 5-29 Distribution of nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses involving days away from work among workers aged 55 and older in private industry by days away from work, 2001. Workers aged 65 and older tended to experience lower percentages of short-term work loss (1 and 3-5 days) and a substantially higher percentage of long-term work losses of 31 days or more (29.6% for workers aged 55-64, and 34.5% for those aged 65 and older). Workers aged 55-64 had a median loss of 10 days away from work, and those aged 65 and older had a median of 14 days. Overall, private sectors workers had a median of 6 days away from work. (Sources: BLS [2003b,c].) |
Occupation
How did nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses differ by major occupational group among workers aged 55 and older in 2001?
 | Figure 5-30 Distribution and number of nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses involving days away from work among workers aged 55 and older in private industry by occupation, 2001. The distribution of cases by occupation for workers aged 55 and older shows the highest proportions of cases among operators, fabricators, and laborers aged 55-64 (34.8% or 47,095 cases) and those aged 65 and older (31.5% or 7,704 cases). Service has the next highest proportions of cases for workers aged 55-64 (20.3% or 27,438 cases) and those aged 65 and older (28.7% or 7,012 cases). (Sources: BLS [2003b,c].) |
Industry
How did nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses involving days away from work vary by major private industry sector among workers aged 55 and older in 2001?
 | Figure 5-31 Distribution and number of nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses involving days away from work among workers aged 55 and older by major private industry sector, 2001. Services, manufacturing (durable), and wholesale and retail trade together account for 67% of all nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses involving days away from work among workers aged 55-64. The same industry sectors predominate for workers aged 65 and older, accounting for nearly 75% of all cases. (Sources: BLS [2003b,c].) |
