Work Injuries and Illnesses by Age

Detailed nonfatal data over 2021-2022

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has transitioned from an annual to a biennial (every two years) publication schedule.  The final publication of a single year of cases involving days away from work estimates was for reference year 2020. BLS now publishes detailed data covering 2021 and 2022 for Days Away from Work (DAFW), Days of Job Transfer or Restriction (DJTR), and Days Away from Work, Job Restriction, or Transfer (DART) cases.

The age demographics of employed workers has shifted since 2014, with the U.S. population growing older. Compared to 2014, the proportion of employees age 65 and older has grown, while the proportion of employees in the 45-54 age range has decreased.

  • Chart
  • Data Table

Source: BLS – Table 11b. Employed persons by detailed occupation and age

Age impacts worker injury and illness risk in several ways. Comparing injury rates per 10,000 workers using the interactive chart, the following age group differences are apparent in 2021-2022:

Workers 16 to 19:

  • Have the highest overall DAFW rate, 159.1, and the highest overall DART rate, 249.4
  • Have the highest rates for the following events:
    • Contact with object, equipment, DAFW: 54.5, DART: 96.3
    • Exposure to harmful substances or environments, DAFW: 51.9, DART: 54.8

Workers 65 and over:

  • Have the lowest overall DAFW rate, 97.1, and the lowest overall DART rate, 134.6
  • Have the highest Falls, slips, trips rate, DAFW: 38.3, DART: 52.3

The data on nonfatal cases cover occupational injuries and illnesses and come from the BLS Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII) for 2011-2022. From 2011 through 2020, annual estimates are available for the number of DAFW cases (with or without days of restricted work activity). Starting in 2021, biennial estimates are available for DAFW, DJTR, and DART cases. This page highlights both DAFW and DART estimates. The latest estimate period available reflects cases occurring in 2021 and 2022. Because DAFW data transitioned from annual reporting to biennial reporting in 2021, care should be used when comparing trends. The private sector nonfatal case data do not cover the self-employed, unpaid family workers, or federal, state, or local government employees.

Data are presented for each worker age group by sex, length of service with employer, and race or ethnic origin of the worker and for the nature of the injury or illness, the occupation of the worker, the industry of the worker, and the event or exposure that produced the injury or illness. Use the filters to select the industry sector of interest and the injury measure to view:

  • DAFW cases
  • DART cases
  • DAFW rate per 10,000 workers (as available)
  • DART rate per 10,000 workers (as available)
  • Chart
  • Data Table
How to Use Injury Facts® Charts and Tables

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor,  from https://www.bls.gov/iif/