A large company may have a sick or injured employee and barely miss a beat. However, at a small business — for example, a four-person lawn service company — one injury can represent the loss of 25% of your workforce.
According to current data (2011) from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “sprains, strains and muscles tears” are the most likely cause of illness- and injury-related days aways from work.* The following types of businesses have the highest rate of “days-away-from-work” per 10,000 work hours. (The average rate for all private businesses i05.2 days away.)
7. Real estate, rental and leasing
108 injury or illness days away from work per 10,000 work days. Only slightly more days-away-from-work than the average, 105.2
6. Manufacturing
111.8 days days away from work per 10,000 work days
5. Arts, entertainment, and recreation
Art, entertainment and recreation, all in one. 123.7 days days away from work per 10,000 work days
4. Health care and social assistance
136.1 days days away from work per 10,000 work days
3. Construction
147 days days away from work per 10,000 work days
2. Agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting
184 days days away from work per 10,000 work days
1. Transportation and warehousing
226.1 days days away from work per 10,000 work days
*Source: “Nonfatal Occupational Injuries and Illnesses Requiring Days Away from Work, 2011. U.S., U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.