Rate and number of workplace injuries and illnesses in retail trade increased in 2018

Retail trade was the only one of 19 private industries in which the rate of nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses rose in 2018. The 2018 rate was 3.5 cases per 100 full-time workers, up from 3.3 in 2017. This was the first statistically significant increase in the rate for retail trade since comparable data for the industry began in 2003.

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Chart Data Rate of nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses per 100 full-time workers in private retail trade, 2003–18 Year Rate 2003 5.3 2004 5.3 2005 5.0 2006 4.9 2007 4.8 2008 4.4 2009 4.2 2010 4.1 2011 3.9 2012 4.0 2013 3.8 2014 3.6 2015 3.5 2016 3.3 2017 3.3 2018 3.5

The number of injuries and illnesses in retail trade also increased in 2018, rising 4 percent. Of the 409,900 injuries and illnesses in retail trade in 2018, 126,850 (31 percent) involved the worker missing at least one day away from work.

Among the cases involving days away from work in retail trade, more than a third (42,790) were from overexertion and bodily reaction. Another 38,940 were from contact with objects and equipment, and 34,190 were from falls, slips, or trips.

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Chart Data Number of nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses involving days away from work in private retail trade, by event or exposure, 2018 Event or exposure Number of injuries or illnesses Overexertion and bodily reaction 42,790 Contact with object, equipment 38,940 Falls, slips, trips 34,190 Transportation incidents 3,920 Exposure to harmful substances or environments 3,910 Violence and other injuries by persons or animal 2,490 Fires, explosions 160 All other 460

These data are from the Injuries, Illnesses, and Fatalities program. To learn more, see “Employer-Reported Workplace Injuries and Illnesses — 2018.”

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