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NIOSH Programs > Wholesale and Retail Trade > Occupational Risks
Wholesale and Retail TradeInputs: Occupational Safety and Health RisksMore than 20 million workers in wholesale and retail trade are at risk for fatal and nonfatal injuries. In 2005, approximately 827,400 workers were injured at work in performing their jobs. Approximately 56% were severe enough to require days away from work, job transfer, or restriction. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data also suggests that the overall number of injuries and fatalities may be attributed to a subset or subsector of high risk workplaces, such as mail order, home stores, or gasoline stations, etc. Young workers make up a significant part of the workforce in the Wholesale and Retail Trade sector. Overall, workers aged 16-19 have twice the injury rate of workers of all ages. The BLS publishes detailed information about occupational injuries, illnesses, and fatalities for all industry sectors. FatalitiesIn 2006, there were 568 fatalities in the Wholesale and Retail Trade sector. A large number of the fatalities occurred in retail motor vehicle and parts dealers, food and beverage stores, and gasoline stations, jobs which employ young and often inexperienced workers. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries Summary, 2006
* Totals include data for industries not shown separately. Source: Fatal occupational injuries by industry and selected event or exposure, 2006 Additional BLS occupational fatality information can be found in the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries Nonfatal injuries and illnessesWholesale and Retail TradeWhile the incidence rates for both of these industry sectors remained relatively unchanged in 2005, the rate for retail trade (4.9 cases per 100 full- time workers) was significantly higher than the rate of 4.5 cases for wholesale trade and the rate of 4.4 cases for private industry as a whole. All industries in North America are classified by NAICS (North American Industry Classification System). Within wholesale trade, metal and mineral (except petroleum) merchant wholesalers [NAICS 4235], grocery and related product merchant wholesalers [NAICS 4244], and beer, wine, and distilled alcoholic beverage merchant wholesalers had the highest incidence rate of injuries per 100 full-time workers with 7.5, 7.7, and 9.6, respectively. Within retail trade, building material and supplies dealers [NAICS 4441] had a rate of 7.8 per 100 full-time workers and home centers [NAICS 44411] with the highest rate at 9.2 per 100 full-time workers. The Other General Merchandise Stores [NAICS 4529] sector in retail trade had a rate of 7.0 per 100 full-time workers and Warehouse Clubs and Superstores [NAICS 45291] sector had a rate of 7.3 per 100 full-time workers. Source: BLS Workplace Injury and Illness Summary For detailed data on nonfatal injuries and illnesses in the Wholesale and Retail Trade sector, see Industry Injury and Illness Data Additional BLS data on Case and Demographic Characteristics for Work-related Injuries and Illnesses Involving Days Away From Work NIOSH Worker Health Chartbook, 2004 NOTE: Data presented in this document are based on the 1987 Standard Industrial Classification (SIC), which does not correspond directly with the 2002 NAICS. Convert 1987 SIC codes to 2002 NAICS codes using Correspondence Tables: 1987 SIC Matched to 2002 NAICS |
NIOSH Program:Wholesale and Retail Trade |
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