Contact with Objects and Equipment

Detailed nonfatal data for 2021 are not currently available.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is transitioning 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 is for reference year 2020. In the fall of 2023, BLS will publish detailed data covering 2021 and 2022 for both Days Away from Work (DAFW) and for Days of Job Transfer or Restriction (DJTR) cases.

Injuries resulting from contact with objects and equipment is the third leading cause of work-related death and the fourth leading cause of nonfatal injuries involving days away from work. In 2021, 705 workers died and in 2020, 196,140 were injured. This category includes several types of injury events:

  • A moving object striking a worker
  • A worker striking against an object or equipment, including bumping into, stepping on, kicking, or being pushed or thrown onto an object
  • Part of a worker’s body being squeezed, pinched, compressed or crushed in equipment, between shifting objects, between stationary objects, or in a wire or rope
  • A worker being struck, caught or crushed in collapsing structure, equipment or material
  • A worker being injured as a result of friction or pressure between the person and the source of injury
  • A worker being injured from vibration

This infographic provides an overview of the nonfatal trends involving days away from work, including nature of injury, part of body injured, and industry. Explore the data details tab for information on fatal injuries, injury rates, and historic trends.

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See data details