Oregon Work-Related Injuries, Illnesses Decrease

Oregon’s private sector workers suffered work-related injuries and illnesses at a rate of 4.6 percent for every 100 full0time employees in 2008, the most recent year for which data is available. According to the state Department of Consumer and Business Services, 2008 had the lowest rate ever. Of the 54,432 recordable cases in 2008, 53,9 percent resulted in lost work time such as days away from work, restriction or job transfer (DART).

In 2008, the highest DART rate among industries was 4.9 in transportation and warehousing. Management of companies and enterprises recorded the lowest rate of 0.4.

In the public sector, the incidence rate was 4.8 in 2008, for the total of cases recorded. State government recorded a total-cases rate of 4.1. The local governments’ rate was 5.1 The public sector DART rate was 2.2 for state government, 2.4 for the local government rate. The overall public sector DART rate was 2.3.

DCBS said Oregon’s rates exceeded the national rate: Oregon’s total cases incidence rate was 17.9 percent higher than the national rate, and Oregon’s DART rate was 25 percent higher than the national rate.

“One reason Oregon rates are higher than national rates is that a higher proportion of Oregon’s workforce is employed in hazardous industries,” DCBS said in its report.

To view the report, visit www4.cbs.state.or.us/ex/imd/external.

Source: DCBS