| The Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department | | | | incidents and overexertion was responsible for 26 |
| of Labor, issued a news release on December 4, | | | | percent of injuries. |
| 2009, with national statistics for "non-fatal | | | | There were 416,620 cases of sprain or strain |
| occupational injuries and illnesses requiring days | | | | injuries in 2008, which represented 39 percent of |
| away from work in 2008". | | | | all workplace accidents requiring time away from |
| The Bureau reported 113 workers out of every | | | | work. Back sprains or strains occurred in 40 |
| 10,000 missed an average of 8 days due to | | | | percent of the incidents, knee strains or sprains |
| workplace injuries or illnesses in 2008. The total | | | | were sustained in 12 percent, 11 percent were |
| amount of private sector workers injured at | | | | sprains or strains to the shoulder, ankle sprains or |
| work was approximately 1.1 million for the year. | | | | strains happened in 8 percent and the remaining |
| Occupations that experienced the highest number | | | | 28 percent of sprains and strains were to other |
| of absent days in descending order were: | | | | parts of the body. The largest cause of sprains |
| · Laborers and freight, stock and material | | | | and strains was overexertion. |
| movers with 79,590 cases (440 workers out of | | | | Musculoskeletal injuries to the back, shoulders, |
| every 100,000 within the same occupation). | | | | arms, wrists and knees were experienced in |
| Contact with an object or equipment accounted | | | | 317,400 cases. Occupations with the highest |
| for 35 percent of the incidents and overexertion | | | | number of musculoskeletal injuries in descending |
| was responsible for 30 percent of injuries. | | | | order were: transportation and material moving; |
| · Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers | | | | production; healthcare support; construction and |
| with 57,700 cases (362 employees out of every | | | | extraction; and installation, maintenance and |
| 100,000 within the same occupation). | | | | repairs. |
| Overexertion accounted for 21 percent of the | | | | Sources of injury or illness included chemicals and |
| incidents and contact with an object or equipment | | | | chemical products, containers, furniture and |
| was responsible for 21 percent of injuries. | | | | fixtures, machinery, parts and materials, floors, |
| · Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants | | | | walkways, ground surfaces, tools, instruments, |
| with 44,610 cases (362 workers out of every | | | | equipment, vehicles, worker motion or position |
| 100,000 within the same occupation). | | | | and healthcare patients. |
| Overexertion accounted for 48 percent of the | | | | In addition to overexertion and contact with an |
| incidents and falls on the same level were | | | | object or equipment, other causes of injury were |
| responsible for 16 percent of injuries. | | | | falls on same levels or to lower levels, slips, |
| · Construction laborers with 31,310 cases | | | | repetitive motion, harmful substances, |
| (383 employees out of every 100,000 within the | | | | transportation accidents, highway accidents, fires, |
| same occupation). Contact with an object or | | | | explosions and assault by other persons or |
| equipment accounted for 40 percent of the | | | | animals. |
| incidents and overexertion was responsible for 19 | | | | If you have been injured in a workplace accident, |
| percent of injuries. | | | | it is important you contact a personal injury |
| · Retail salespersons with 28,900 cases | | | | attorney experienced in workplace accidents as |
| (90 workers out of every 100,000 within the | | | | soon as possible to discuss your options and |
| same occupation). Contact with an object or | | | | ensure you receive proper compensation for |
| equipment accounted for 27 percent of the | | | | injuries. |