Workplace injuries drop to lowest rate in four years
| The latest fatal and nonfatal injury figures | |
| Nonfatal injuries and illnesses, private industry | |
| Total recordable cases | 4,085,400 in 2006 |
| Cases involving days away from work | 1,183,500 in 2006 |
| Cases involving sprains, strains, tears | 503,530 in 2005 |
| Cases involving injuries to the back | 270,890 in 2005 |
| Cases involving falls | 255,750 in 2005 |
| Total fatalities (all sectors) | 5,703 |
| Total fatalities (private industry) | 5,202 |
| Highway incidents (private industry) | 1,167 |
| Falls (private industry) | 771 |
| Homicides (private industry) | 441 |
| Source: U.S. Department of Labor | |
Going to work just keeps getting safer.
The rate of U.S. workplace injuries and illnesses in private industry dropped last year for the fourth year in a row, according to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses reported by private employers dropped from 4.6 cases per 100 workers during 2005 to 4.4 cases during 2006.
The 2006 rate is the lowest ever recorded in the nation, the DOL said.
Manufacturing had among the largest decreases in the rate of illnesses last year, dropping from 66.1 per 10,000 workers during 2005 to 57.7.
“Workplace injuries and illnesses declined 3 percent in 2006 over the previous year against the backdrop that overall hours worked increased (2 percent),” said Labor Secretary Elaine Chao. “The Department of Labor continues to focus on ensuring that workplace injury and illnesses rates continue to decline and that workers are healthy and safe on the job.”
Loading ...
