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

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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

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111.8 days days away from work per 10,000 work days

5. Arts, entertainment, and recreation

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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

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136.1 days days away from work per 10,000 work days

3. Construction

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147 days days away from work per 10,000 work days

2. Agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting

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184 days days away from work per 10,000 work days

1. Transportation and warehousing

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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.

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