Workplace Injuries, Illnesses Dip, Data Show

The rate of occupational injuries and illnesses declined for the fifth straight year in 1997, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. The bureau reported a total of 6.1 million injuries and illnesses reported in private industry workplaces in 1997, or 7.1 cases per 100 full-time workers. While the total number was about the same in 1996, work hours increased 3%, resulting in a decline in injuries and illnesses from 7.4 per 100 full-time workers. Of the 6.1 million incidents reported, 5.7 million resulted in either lost work time, medical treatment, loss of consciousness or transfer to another job. The bureau said injury rates were higher for companies employing 50 to 249 workers than for larger or smaller organizations. Manufacturing accounted for three-fifths of the 430,000 new occupational illnesses reported. And 64% of those new cases were reports of repetitive stress injuries or hearing loss.