Missouri workplace injuries fall in 2003

There were 94,900 nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses in 2003, down from 112,900 in 2002, 118,400 in 2001 and 132,000 in 2000, according to a Dec. 23 Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations news release. The data is the most recent available.

The highest workplace injury incidence rate by industry was in manufacturing, which reported 8.4 cases per 100 equivalent full-time workers in 2003. Goods-producing industries had an incidence rate of 7.9. The rate was 4.1 per 100 workers in the service sector, with transportation and warehousing topping the service industries with a rate of 7.6.

Tammy Cavender, Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations spokesperson, said the decline continues a trend that has been going on since 1995.

“In 1995, (the figure) was close to 200,000 injuries, and now it’s much lower,” she said. “In 1993, legislation was passed that required that all businesses have a workplace safety program in place, and I think that has helped. In addition, the department offers safety and health programs, (which are) designed to educate employers and employees about their workplace rights and responsibilities,

and they do that through consultations, trainings (and) presentations to boost businesses, employees and also insurance companies.”

Statistical data on Missouri nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses are obtained from the annual Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, administered by the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics in collaboration with the Missouri Department of Labor, Industrial Relations, Research and Analysis Section.