Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations News Release

Bob Holden
Governor

Catherine B. Leapheart
Director

Tammy Cavender
Public Information Coordinator

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:  Tammy Cavender (573) 751-7500
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  January 23, 2004

MISSOURI’S WORKERS EXPERIENCED FEWER NONFATAL WORKPLACE INJURIES AND ILLNESSES IN 2002

Jefferson City, MO – The number and incidence rate of nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses in Missouri private industry were reduced again in 2002.  There were a total of 112,900 nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses in Missouri private industry in 2002.  This number was reduced from 118,400 in 2001 and 132,000 in 2000.  The incidence rate (number of injuries and illnesses per 100 full-time workers) for total recordable cases of nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses in Missouri private industry in 2002 was decreased to 6.0, down from 6.1 in 2001 and 6.8 in 2000.

Agriculture, forestry, and fishing was the major industry division with the highest nonfatal occupational injury and illness incidence rate in Missouri private industry in 2002.  The rate was increased to 9.9 (per 100 full-time workers), up from 7.6 in 2001.  Manufacturing was the industry division with the second highest incidence rate.  Manufacturing had the highest rate in 2001.  The incidence rate for manufacturing was reduced to 9.5 (per 100 full-time workers), down from 10.1 in 2001.  The motor vehicles and car bodies industry (SIC 3711) again had the highest incidence rate at 29.0 (per 100 full-time workers).  But this rate was decreased from 39.3 in 2001.

The total number of nonfatal occupational illnesses in Missouri private industry in 2002 was reduced to 9,200 from 11,900 in 2001.  Most (5,500) of the occupational illnesses were in the manufacturing industry division.  But the number of nonfatal occupational illnesses in manufacturing was reduced from 7,500 in 2001.

Statistical data on Missouri nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses are obtained from the annual Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses.  The survey is administered by the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics in collaboration with the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, Research and Analysis Section.  For additional information regarding this survey, please contact Connie Baskett at (573) 751-9677.