Musculoskeletal Injuries

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.

Use this interactive chart to explore musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) injury and illness trends. Injury and illness demographics show that 40% of DART cases and 38% of DAFW cases happen to females. The number of DART cases peak among 25- to 54-year-old workers, while the number of DAFW cases peak among 45- to 54-year-old workers. The healthcare and social assistance industry experienced the highest number of both DART and DAFW cases. Use the filters to explore DART and DAFW trends by industry, occupation, part of body injured, event or exposure, and nature or type of injury. 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.

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How to Use Injury Facts® Charts and Tables

Source: National Safety Council analysis of BLS data.