Work Related Injuries Latest Figures

Work related injuries account for a significant number of the patients coming to consult the Las Vegas chiropractors at Complete Injury Management.  On that topic a recent report published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics makes for interesting reading.

The report sets out data relating to work related injuries and illness requiring absence from work during 2010, and the information summarized by the Bureau shows that: 

• Sprains, strains, and tears accounted for 40 percent of total work related injuries and illness cases requiring days away from work. Soreness and pain (including the back) accounted for 11 percent of total cases.
• Forty-three percent of sprains, strains, and tears were the result of overexertion. Falls on the same level accounted for another 11 percent and 8 percent were the result of contact with objects and equipment.
• Work related injuries and illness requiring absence from work totaled 118 cases for every 10,000 full-time workers
• The number of days absence from work, which is taken to be a key indicator of the seriousness of work related injuries  and illnesses, averaged 8 days for the third year in succession.
• The three industries with the highest numbers of work related injuries in 2010 were health care and social assistance (176,380), retail trade (131,380), and manufacturing (127,140).
• The industries with the most severe work related injuries were the construction and the transportation and warehousing industries each of which had a high number of cases requiring a full month or more away from work. The rate in construction for these long duration cases was 50 per 10,000 full-time workers while the transportation and warehousing industry had an incidence rate of 92 cases—more than triple the overall private industry rate (30) for workers requiring 31 or more days away from work.
• The mining industry had the highest average number of days spent away from work due to work related injuries with 24 days. This was followed by transportation and warehousing (17), utilities (14), and construction (12).
• For all occupations, the incidence rate for public sector jobs was approximately two-thirds higher than jobs in the private sector.
• Some occupations experienced higher rates for work related injuries and illness in the public sector (state and local government combined) than their counterparts in the private sector. Janitors and cleaners, for example, had a public sector rate that was nearly three times that of the private sector. Landscaping and grounds keeping workers had a public sector rate over twice that of the private sector rate.
• three ‘event or exposure’ categories accounted for 62 percent of total work related injuries and illnesses requiring days away from work.  They were: contact with objects and equipment; overexertion; and falls on the same level.

To consult Complete Injury Management and discover how a Las Vegas chiropractor can help with work related injuries, call us at (702) 227-4879