973,600 plant injuries, illnesses

Industry case rate is 6.8 per 100 full-time workers

Manufacturing workers reported 973,600 non-fatal injuries and illnesses in 2003, according to data released this winter by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. Combined with annual average manufacturing employment of 14.46 million, that computes to a case rate of 6.8 per 100 full-time employees.

Private industry as a whole reported 4.4 million non-fatal injuries and illnesses, leading to an overall rate of 5.0 cases per 100 full-time employees. The overall injury and illness total is 300,000 fewer (a 7.1 percent decline) than the 2002 data.

“This administration has formed more health and safety partnerships with organized labor and employer groups than any of its predecessors, and has set records for achieving compliance through workplace inspections,” said Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao. “These positive results show that our dual commitment to compliance assistance and enforcement is working.”

Construction and manufacturing tied for the highest case rate among all industry sectors in this BLS report. Education and health services was third with a 6.0 case rate.

Trade, transportation and utilities was the sector with the most cases, 1,188,700. Manufacturing was second, while education and health services was third (737,100) and construction was fourth (408,300).

For private industry in 2003, rates for injuries and illnesses ranged from 2.0 cases per 100 workers for small establishments (those employing 1 to 10 workers) to 6.2 for mid-size establishments (those employing 50 to 249 workers) to 5.8 for large establishments (250 to 999 workers).

To view the charts, click here.

This article appeared in the February/March 2005 issue of MRO Today magazine.  Copyright, 2005.

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