Detailed nonfatal data starting in 2023-2024
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. The most recent BLS detailed data cover 2023 and 2024 for Days Away from Work (DAFW), Days of Job Transfer or Restriction (DJTR), and Days Away from Work, Job Restriction, or Transfer (DART) cases.
New event categories starting in 2023
BLS updated the Occupational Injury and Illness Classification System starting with the 2023 data year. The update includes changes to how injury and illness events are classified. This change is considered a data break, therefore, comparing counts to previous years is often unavailable and, when available, should be done with caution. Currently, 2024 fatality data are using the new classification categories, while the most recent nonfatal 2023-2024 data use the previous classification categories.
Following overexertion injuries and contact injuries, falls on the same level is the third leading event resulting in DART cases. In 2024, 145 workers died and in 2023-2024, 405,540 DART cases (including 264,920 DAFW cases) were reported.
The falls on the same level category includes:
- Instances in which the injury was produced by impact between the injured person and another surface without elevation, where the motion of the person was generated by gravity following the individual’s loss of equilibrium and, the point of contact with the source of injury was at the same level or above the surface supporting the person at the inception of the fall.
- Nonfatal falls are included if there is no indication that the worker was at an elevation at the inception of the fall.
- Fall from chair while sitting; person unable to maintain upright position; falls due to standing on moving surfaces, such as moving walkways or elevators; leg goes through floor or into a hole without falling to lower level.
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 2011-2024. 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. Fatality estimates continue to be available annually. However, BLS updated the Occupational Injury and Illness Classification System starting with the 2023 data year. The update includes changes to how injury and illness events are classified. This change is considered a data break, therefore comparing counts to previous years should be done with caution.