New BLS Statistics Highlight Ohio’s Most Dangerous Occupations

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recently published updated statistics on workplace injuries and illnesses in Ohio. Combined with the latest data from the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC), these statistics shed light on some of the most dangerous occupations for Ohio residents. Learn more from a Columbus workers’ compensation attorney at Malek & Malek Law Firm.

The Most Dangerous Occupations for Ohio Workers

The BLS breaks down Ohio’s most dangerous occupations in two different ways. First, it identifies the most dangerous occupations based on the total number of nonfatal work-related injuries and illnesses, and then it identifies the occupations with the highest rates of job-related medical conditions.

Occupations with the Highest Numbers of Job-Related Injuries and Illnesses

According to the BLS, the occupations with the highest numbers of nonfatal job-related injuries and illnesses in Ohio are:

• Trade, transportation, and utilities (22,700 recordable cases)
• Education and health services (22,300 recordable cases)
• Manufacturing (17,800 recordable cases)
• State and local government (13,800 recordable cases)
• Leisure and hospitality (7,600 recordable cases)

Occupations with the Highest Rates of Job-Related Injuries and Illnesses

According to the BLS, the occupations with the highest rates of non-fatal job-related injuries and illnesses in Ohio are:

• Education and health services (4.1 recordable cases per 100 full-time workers)
• Manufacturing (2.9 recordable cases per 100 full-time workers)
• Trade, transportation, and utilities (2.8 recordable cases per 100 full-time workers)
• State and local government (2.7 recordable cases per 100 full-time workers)
• Natural resources and mining (2.1 recordable cases per 100 full-time workers)

The Ohio BWC classifies occupations differently. For example, according to the BWC’s data, healthcare and social assistance is the most dangerous occupation class based on the rate of job-related injuries and illnesses, with 4.3 recordable cases per 100 full-time workers. Next on the Ohio BWC’s list is arts, entertainment, and recreation (also with 4.3 recordable cases per 100 full-time workers), followed by transportation and warehousing (3.5 recordable cases per 100 full-time workers), manufacturing (2.9 recordable cases per 100 full-time workers), and retail trade (2.6 recordable cases per 100 full-time workers).

The Ohio BWC’s data also provide a more detailed look at the state’s most dangerous occupations for workers. For example, according to the Ohio BWC, the following are the “occupation groups” with the highest rates of on-the-job injuries and illnesses resulting in time missed from work:

• Healthcare support (283.1 per 10,000 full-time workers)
• Transportation and material moving (177.0 per 10,000 full-time workers)
• Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations (163.7 per 10,000 full-time workers)
• Healthcare practitioners and technicians (136.6 per 10,000 full-time workers)
• Installation, maintenance, and repair (112.5 per 10,000 full-time workers)

According to the Ohio BWC, heavy truck and tractor-trailer drivers typically miss the most days from work when they suffer on-the-job injuries (a median of 21 days). This is followed by customer service representatives (14 days), stockers and order fillers (13 days), medical and health service managers (13 days), home health aides (13 days), and light truck drivers (12 days).

The Most Common On-the-Job Injuries in Ohio

The Ohio BWC also tracks the most common types of on-the-job injuries. But, rather than breaking these numbers down by occupation, it simply provides statewide figures (although it specifically notes that, “[w]orkers in transportation and material moving occupations had significantly higher incidence rate of . . . cases involving sprains strains and tears than any other occupation group”). According to the Ohio BWC, the most common on-the-job injuries resulting in days missed from work in Ohio are:

• Sprains, strains and tears (23.5 percent)
• Soreness and pain (10.6 percent)
• Fractures (9.2 percent)
• Bruises and contusions (7.4 percent)
• Cuts and lacerations (6.8 percent)

The Ohio BWC’s data also provide insight into the body parts most commonly injured in on-the-job accidents. Across all occupations, the most common injuries by body part that result in days missed from work are:

• Hand injuries (11.7 percent)
• Back injuries (9.1 percent)
• Head injuries (7.3 percent)
• Ankle injuries (5.2 percent)
• Shoulder injuries (4.8 percent)
• Knee injuries (4.8 percent)

Here, too, the Ohio BWC calls out injuries in the transportation sector specifically, noting that “[t]ransportation and material moving occupations [are] more likely to injure their back than any other body part.”

The Most Common Causes of On-the-Job Injuries in Ohio

Across all occupations, the Ohio BWC identifies “floors, walkways [and] ground surfaces” as the most common “source” of on-the-job injuries, accounting for 14.7 percent of all days missed from work. The OWC identifies the following as the most common “events” leading to disabling injuries on the job:

• Exposure to harmful substances and environments (28.8 percent)
• Contact with objects (21.8 percent)
• Falls, slips and trips (21.6 percent)
• Overexertion (19.4 percent)
• Transportation incidents (4.6 percent)

The Ohio BWC notes that workers in the transportation and material moving occupations are the most likely to suffer overexertion injuries. It also notes that workers between the ages of 45 and 54 are the most likely to suffer injuries due to overexertion on the job, while workers age 55 and older are the most likely to suffer injuries in falls, slips, and trips.

Across all causes of on-the-job injuries, workers between the ages of 16 and 19 are the most likely to get injured on the job (106.3 cases per 100,000 full-time workers). The overall incident rate decreases as workers get older until they reach age 45. At age 45, on-the-job injuries become more common until decreasing again for workers who are age 65 and older. Across all age groups, workers who have held their job for between one and five years are the most likely to suffer injuries that make them eligible for workers’ compensation disability benefits.

Request a Free Consultation with a Columbus Workers’ Compensation Attorney

If you have been injured on the job in Ohio and have questions about your legal rights, we strongly encourage you to get in touch. A Columbus workers’ compensation attorney at Malek & Malek Law Firm will be more than happy to explain everything you need to know. To request a free consultation, call us at 888-444-7440 or tell us how we can reach you online today.