Falls – Same Level

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.

Following overexertion injuries, contact with objects and equipment, and exposure to harmful substances or environments, falls on the same level is the fourth leading event resulting in DART cases. In 2022, 144 workers died and in 2021-2022, 414,400 DART cases including 275,660 DAFW cases were reported.

This category applies to injuries when all of the following factors are true:

  • The injury was produced by impact between the injured person and the source of injury without elevation
  • The injured person’s movement produced the injury
  • The motion of the person was generated by gravity following the individual’s loss of equilibrium
  • The point of contact with the source of the injury was at the same level or above the surface supporting the person at the inception of the fall

This infographic provides an overview of the nonfatal trends. 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. Explore the data details tab for additional information on demographics, industry, occupation, days lost, and historic trends.

See data details