March 29, 2001 (The Editor’s Desk is updated each business day.)

Truck drivers have the most lost-time injuries

In 1999, truck drivers had more workplace injuries and illnesses involving time away from work than any other occupation.

Number of occupational injuries and illnesses involving time away from work for selected occupations, 1999 (thousands)
[Chart data—TXT]

Truck drivers experienced 141,100 work-related injuries and illnesses that required recuperation away from work beyond the day of the incident. Each year since 1993, truck drivers have had the highest number of such injuries and illnesses of any occupation.

Nonconstruction laborers suffered the second highest number of occupational injuries and illnesses involving time away from work at 89,100, followed by nursing aides and orderlies at 75,700.

These data are a product of the BLS Safety and Health Statistics program. Additional information is available from "Lost-Worktime Injuries and Illnesses: Characteristics and Resulting Time Away From Work, 1999", news release USDL 01-71.