Top Work-related Injury Causes

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.

The leading causes of death and nonfatal injury are not always the same. While transportation incidents are the leading cause of death in 2022, resulting in 38% of all work-related deaths, they are the sixth leading cause of nonfatal injuries in 2021-2022, accounting for only about 3% of injuries or illnesses involving days away from work, job restriction or transfer (DART). In 2021-2022, the leading cause of nonfatal work-related injuries or illnesses involving days away from work (DAFW) is exposure to harmful substances or environments, accounting for 28% of injuries or illnesses. Exposure to harmful substances or environments fatalities are far less common, accounting for 14% of deaths in 2020. The exposure to harmful substances or environments category includes contagious and infectious diseases such as COVID-19. To learn more about the impact of work-related COVID-19 illnesses please visit the COVID-19 workplace page. However, the leading cause of DART cases in 2021-2022 was overexertion and bodily reaction, accounting for 30% of cases. A comparison of the leading causes of death and nonfatal injuries by severity (DAFW, DJTR, and DART) is provided here. Drill down to view subcategory data by clicking a category on the chart. Data for DJTR and DART cases are only valuable starting in 2021-2022.

  • Chart
  • Data Table
How to Use Injury Facts® Charts and Tables

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.