Today's Labor Force

In 2004, according to the BLS in Workplace Injuries and Illnesses in 2004 (November 17, 2005), the industry with the highest number of cases of injury or illness in the workplace was manufacturing, where the incidence was 6.6 cases per 100 workers. This was closely followed by construction, which recorded 6.4 cases per 100 workers. (See Table 1.28.)

In 2004 there were 2.5 cases per 100 workers in private industry of occupational injury or illness that were severe enough to warrant days away from work, job transfer, or job restrictions. (See Table 1.28.) The number of such cases varied by the type of industry and occupation. In 2004 the air transportation industry had 5.3 cases per 100 workers involving lost work days; couriers and messengers, with a high incidence TABLE 1.17 Employees on nonfarm payrolls by industry sector and selected industry detail, selected months, 2004–05 (CONTINUED)of occupational injuries and illnesses, experienced 4.7 cases per 100 workers that resulted in job transfer or restriction. Financial activities, conversely, had a low incidence of injury and illness, and counted only 0.7 cases per 100 workers that resulted in either missed work days, job transfer, or a restriction of responsibilities.

Fatalities

According to the BLS in Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries in 2004 (August 25, 2005), 5,703 fatal work injuries were recorded in the United States in 2004. This represents a slight increase from the 5,575 work fatalities in 2003. The average annual number of fatalities from 1999 through 2003 was 5,800. (See Table 1.29.)

Historically, highway traffic incidents, homicides, and falls cause most fatal work injuries. These three types of incidents accounted for 48% of the work injury deaths that occurred in 2004. In 2004, for example, work-related highway deaths accounted for 1,374 of the 5,703 total work injuries (24%). Incidents related to off-road transport, such as tractors or forklifts, and workers being struck by vehicles, each accounted for between 6% and 7% of total worker fatalities in 2004. (See Table 1.29.)

TABLE 1.17 Employees on nonfarm payrolls by industry sector and selected industry detail, selected months, 2004–05 (CONTINUED)

TABLE 1.17 Employees on nonfarm payrolls by industry sector and selected industry detail, selected months, 2004–05 (CONTINUED) "Table B-1. Employees on Nonfarm Payrolls by Industry Sector and Selected Industry Detail," in The Employment Situation: December 2005, US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, January 6, 2006, http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/empsit.pdf (accessed January 9, 2006)

Homicide accounted for 10% of fatal work injuries in 2004. In 2004, occupational homicides included the use of firearms (7%) and stabbing (1%). Falls comprised 14% of fatal work injuries in 2004. Death due to objects such as falling trees, moving parts of machinery, or building materials comprised 18% of work-related fatalities in 2004. (See Table 1.29.)

As reported by the BLS in the National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries in 2004, occupations with large numbers of fatal injuries in 2004 included drivers, sales workers, and truck drivers (905); farmers and ranchers (307); airline pilots and flight engineers (109); and roofers (94). (See Figure 1.1.)

During 2004, industries with large numbers of fatalities relative to the number of employees included agriculture, forestry, and fishing (12% of all workplace fatalities); construction (21%); and trade, transportation, and utilities (26%). (See Table 1.30.)