Risks By Trade
Consequences associated with occupational injuries and illnesses are significant. The pain, suffering and loss of productivity caused by injuries affects employees and their families as well as the overall productivity industry in general.
At least one-third of all occupational fatalities occurred in establishments with fewer than 20 employees. At least half of all occupational fatalities occurred in establishments with fewer than 100 employees.
The initiation and maintenance of accident prevention programs, according to OSHA Standards for Construction, are the responsibility of the employer.
The highest number of small business Incident Reports (per 100 full-time employees) for nonfatal injuries occurred in the following industries:
- Manufacturing Wood Containers (SIC 244)
- Wood Pallets and Skids (SIC 2448)
- Manufacturing Animal and Marine Fats and Oils (SIC 2077)
- Roofing, Siding, and Sheet Metal Work (SIC 176)
- Truck Terminal Facilities (SIC 423)
The largest numbers of nonfatal injuries in private industry overall occurred among employees in the following industries:
- Eating and Drinking Places (SIC 581)
- General Contractors and Operative Builders (SIC 15)
- Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning (SIC 171)
- Machinery, Equipment, and Supplies (SIC 508)
- Motor Vehicles, Parts, and Supplies (SIC 501)
The highest-ranking small business industries by Occupational Illness Incident Report (per 100 full-time workers) included employees involved with the following industries:
- Cut Stone and Stone Products (SIC 328)
- Dairy Products Stores (SIC 545)
- Motor Vehicles, Parts, and Supplies (SIC 501)
- Manufacture of Animal and Marine Fats and Oils (SIC 2077)
- Camps and Recreational Vehicle Parks (SIC 703)
The highest numbers of illness cases occurred among workers in the following small business industries:
- Eating and Drinking Establishments (SIC 581)
- Offices and Clinics of Medical Doctors (SIC 801)
- Motor Vehicles, Parts, and Supplies (SIC 501)
- General Contractors and Operative Builders (SIC 15)
- Real Estate Operators and Lessors (SIC651)
Fatal occupational injury cases are examined as a measure of the most severe consequences of exposure to occupational hazards. The highest Incident Reports (per 100,000 full-time workers) for fatal occupational injuries occurred among employees involved with the following small business industries:
- Taxicabs (SIC 412)
- Trucking Terminal Facilities (SIC 423)
- Soil Preparation Services (SIC 071)
- Logging (SIC 241)
- Cut Stone and Stone Products (SIC 328)
The greatest numbers of fatalities occurred among the following small business industries:
- General Contractors and Operative Builders (SIC 15)
- Miscellaneous Special Trade Contractors (SIC 179)
- Employees in Eating Places (SIC 5812)
- Logging (SIC 241)
- Taxicab Drivers (SIC 412)
The leading causes of fatal occupational injuries among various small business industries were as follows:
- Transportation incidents
- Assaults and violent acts (primarily retail service industries)
- Contact with objects and equipment (Construction, specialty trades, logging, and mining)
- Exposure to harmful substances
- Manufacture of Wood and environments
When morbidity and mortality measures are combined into a single index, the highest-risk small business industries include the following:
- Logging (SIC 241)
- Cut Stone and Stone Products (SIC 328)
- Trucking Terminal Facilities (SIC 423)
- Roofing, Siding, and Sheet Metal Work (SIC 176)
- Camps and Recreational Vehicle Parks (SIC 703)
Occupational Injury, Illness and Fatality Data by SIC code for small business industries was derived from the most recently available Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII), 1995 [BLS 1997c] and Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI), 1994 [BLS 1995]. Small business industries identified in these reports include nearly 4 million establishments and more than 30 million employees or approximately one-third of all employees in private industry.
More detailed reports are available from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) .
