2003 Lost Worktime Injuries and Illnesses: Characteristics and Resulting Days Away from Work — 2005-03-30

A total of 1.3 million injuries and illnesses in private industry required recuperation away from work beyond the day of the incident in 2003, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. The three occupations with the greatest number of such injuries and illnesses - laborers and material movers; heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers; and nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants - offer examples of the characteristics of these cases. Of the 89,510 injured laborers and material movers, 83 percent were men. Similarly, of the 71,900 injured heavy truck drivers, 95 percent were men. More than 4 out of 10 of both occupations' injuries were sprains or strains, often to the trunk or lower extremities, stemming from overexertion or contacts with objects or equipment. Heavy truck drivers also suffered a large portion of their injuries due to transportation accidents and falls.