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NIOSH Programs > Traumatic Injury > Occupational Risks
Traumatic InjuryInputs: Occupational Safety and Health RisksOn average, nearly 16 workers in the United States die each day from injuries sustained at work.1 Daily, an estimated 11,200 private-sector workers have a nonfatal work-related injury or illness, and more than half will require job transfer, work restrictions, or time away from their jobs as a result.2 Approximately 9,000 workers are treated in emergency departments each day, and approximately 200 of these workers are hospitalized.3 In 2005, workers' compensation costs for employers totaled $89 billion.4 FatalitiesThe number of fatal occupational injuries in 2006 (5,703) was similar to the annual average for 2001 –2005 (5,704).1 Ninety-three percent (5,275) of the fatalities were incurred by men.1 The leading fatal injury event continued to be transportation-related incidents (43% or 2,451), of which 57% (1,394) were highway-related events.1 By industry sector, construction accounted for the most fatal injuries (21% or 1,226).1 Nonfatal InjuriesUsing data collected from emergency department medical records, it has been estimated that there were 3.4 million nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses in 2004 occurring at a rate of 2.5 per 100 full-time equivalent workers.3 It is estimated that 95% of this combined injury and illness number represents injuries.3 The numbers and rates of emergency department treated injuries have declined substantially between 1996 and 2004.3 Collecting data from private industry workplaces, BLS has estimated that there were 3.9 million nonfatal occupational injuries in 2006 occurring at a rate of 4.2 cases per 100 full-time equivalent workers.2 Of these injuries, 32% were attributed to goods producing industries and 68% were attributed to service providing industries. The top three industries in the nonfatal injury distribution were manufacturing (21%), health care and social assistance (16%), and retail trade (15%). NIOSH Worker Health Chartbook, 2004
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Page last updated:
December 18, 2008
Page last reviewed: August 22, 2008 Content Source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Division of Safety Research |
NIOSH Program Portfolio:Traumatic Injury |
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