Declines in occupational illnesses and injuries in 2008

Nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses among private industry employers in 2008 occurred at a rate of 3.9 cases per 100 equivalent full-time workers—a decline from 4.2 cases in 2007. Similarly, the number of nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses reported in 2008 declined to 3.7 million cases, compared to 4 million cases in 2007.

[Chart data]

The total recordable case injury and illness incidence rate among private industry employers has declined significantly each year since 2003. Incidence rates for injuries and illnesses combined among private industry establishments declined significantly in 2008 for all case types, with the exception of job transfer or restriction cases whose rate remained unchanged from 2007.

These data are from the Injuries, Illnesses, and Fatalities program. To learn more, see "Workplace Injuries and Illnesses — 2008" (HTML) (PDF), news release USDL 09-1302.