BLS releases 2010 figures for injuries, illnesses requiring days away from work

Washington – The rate of nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses requiring days away from work remained statistically unchanged from 2009 to 2010, the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced (.pdf file) Nov. 9.

In 2010, 118 nonfatal injury or illness cases per 10,000 full-time workers required days away from work, an increase of less than 0.1 percent from the incidence rate of 117 in 2009.

Key findings from the report include:

• Health care support workers and food preparation and serving-related workers saw rate increases in 2010 (6 percent and 10 percent, respectively).
• The largest cause of injuries for all industry sectors – contact with objects and equipment – had a rate of 28 cases per 10,000 workers, a statistically insignificant change from 2009.
• Musculoskeletal disorder cases increased 4 percent in 2010 to 34 days-away-from-work cases per 10,000 workers.

The report is the third and final BLS report released on occupational safety and health for 2010. For more details on this and the other reports covering occupational fatalities and total injuries, read the annual “State of Safety” article in the January issue of Safety+Health magazine.