Ouch! Nonfatal Injuries and Illnesses By Occupation
That’s a total incidence rate of 117 cases per every 10,000 workers. (The data looks at full time workers.)
The 7 occupations graphed all had at least 20,000 cases of non fatal occupational injury or illness, ultimately requiring the employees to take time off from work.
“These occupations were police and sheriff ‘s patrol officers; nursing aides, orderlies and attendants; light or delivery service truck drivers; laborers and freight, stock and material movers; construction laborers; tractor-trailer truck drivers; and janitors and cleaners,” states the B.L.S.
Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers experienced the highest number of work related injuries and illnesses, clocking in at a staggering 64,910 cases. The rate of incidence was 407 cases per 10,000 workers.
As the occupation is primarily associated with heavy lifting, heavy objects, and heavy machinery – the potential for accidents remains high.
The highest incidence rate belonged to police and sheriff’s patrol officers. While there were 35,590 reported cases of nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses, their incidence rate was a massive 603 cases per every 10,000 workers.
Due to the physical demands and hazardous nature of the occupation, it’s an unfortunate reality that many police and sheriff’s patrol officers will continue to be exposed to great risks. It’s deeply harrowing that so many officers were injured or struck ill in 2009.