2001 Lost-Worktime Injuries: Characteristics and Resulting Time Away from Work — 2003-03-27

A total of 1.5 million injuries and illnesses in private industry required recuperation away from work beyond the day of the incident in 2001, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U. S. Department of Labor. Since 1992 (when the series started), there has been a steady decline in the number of lost workday injuries and illnesses; the decrease from 2000 to 2001 was 7.6 percent. Of the 10 occupations that accounted for nearly one-third of the cases requiring recuperation away from work, truck drivers experienced the most injuries and illnesses with days away from work, as they have in each year since 1993 (table A). Of these 10 occupations, nonconstruction laborers, assemblers, and carpenters showed significant declines in the number of injuries and illnesses from 2000 to 2001. Only stock handlers and baggers showed a significant increase in the same period. Table A.