Workplace Injuries Decline Throughout Kansas

Topeka, KS (WorkersCompensation.com) - Nonfatal injuries in Kansas workplaces declined in 2010, according to the Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses conducted by the Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL) and the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses among private industry employers in Kansas declined in 2010 to a rate of 3.7 cases per 100 equivalent full-time workers, down from 4.1 cases in 2009. Workers in private industries reported an estimated 33,100 nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses in Kansas in 2010, a decline from 38,200 cases in 2009.

"We are pleased to present information showing an improvement in workplace safety in Kansas for 2010," said Karin Brownlee, Kansas Secretary of Labor. "The Kansas Department of Labor stands ready to partner with employers and employees by offering the expertise of our Industrial Safety and Health division to correct any safety concerns that exist. We are hopeful that this improvement continues to be the trend for years to come."

The survey collects data from more than 3,500 randomly selected Kansas employers to estimate annual counts of nonfatal injuries and illnesses, case circumstances and workers characteristics for cases that involve days away from work. 2010 data is the most recent available at this time.

"We would like to thank the Kansas employers for their timely response, which helped us exceed our 85 percent required response rate and to produce a quality product." said Diana Ashwill, Supervisor of the Survey Unit.

Additional information gathered from the survey:

• The construction industry reported 900 fewer cases in 2010, a 33 percent decline from 2009. The incident rate decreased from 4.6 to 3.7 cases per 100 workers.
• A total of 7,730 cases required days away from work. The median number of days away from work was 10 days and more than 29 percent involved at least 31 days off of work.
• Strains and sprains were the number one result of injury and illnesses in Kansas. They accounted for 3,300 of the 7,730 injuries involving days away from work. The trade, transportation and utilities industry reported 1,030 of these cases, equaling 31 percent.
• Workers having been on the job between two and four hours incurred the highest number of injuries and illnesses at 24 percent, or 1,880 cases.
• The majority of cases, 56.4 percent, that involved days away from work occurred between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. The 4:00 p.m. to midnight shift reported 16.7 percent and the midnight to 8:00 a.m. shift accounted for 10.8 percent of the cases.
• Monday and Thursday recorded the most cases involving days away from work with 1,440 and 1,430 cases respectively.
• Men accounted for 65.7 percent of all days away from work cases.
• Workers ages 45-54 accounted for 24.7 percent of cases, the 25-34 age group had 21.5 percent and ages 35-44 totaled 20.1 percent.
• Employees with a length of service of one to five years had the greatest percentage of cases with days away from work at 40 percent.
• Heavy truck and tractor trailer drivers reported the highest number of cases with days away from work, at 620 cases. Laborers and freight, stock and materials movers by hand were the second highest with 360 cases, followed by nursing aides, orderlies and attendants at 350 cases.
• Injuries resulting in amputations accounted for the longest absences from work with a median of 30 days.

Share This Article: