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.
Forklifts are used for carrying and transporting heavy materials in primarily non-roadway areas. The forklift category also includes order pickers and powered platform trucks. The forklift designation describes the source of the injury, not the event. Forklift-related injuries are also cross-categorized by event type, most often as either a transportation incident or contact incident. Forklifts were the source of 84 work-related deaths in 2024 and 25,110 DART cases (including 15,460 DAFW cases) in 2023-2024. The forklift, order picker, platform truck-powered category includes:
- Powered industrial trucks equipped with prongs that can vertically lift materials and move them over short distances.
- Tow motors, lift trucks, skid steers with forklift attachment, turret truck
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. Explore the data details tab for additional information on demographics, industry, occupation, days lost, and historic trends.