Older Workers
As the U.S. labor force grows, it becomes markedly older. As illustrated
in Chapter 1, the age distribution of the labor force is shifting. Employment
data for 2001 show that workers aged 55 and older represented 22.9%
of the workers employed in agriculture versus 10%–15% in the other
major industry sectors [BLS 2001]. By 2010, middle-aged and older workers
will outnumber younger workers (see Figure 1–1). For the year
2010, BLS projects employment of 21.2 million workers aged 55–64
(compared with 13.9 million in 2000) and 5.4 million workers aged 65
and older (compared with 4.2 million in 2000) (see Figure 1–1).
Older workers are known to experience high rates of traumatic fatalities
and are also more susceptible to chronic disease and related conditions.
BLS reported that the number of fatal injuries during 1992–2002
ranged from 767 in 1992 to 875 in 1997 for workers aged 55–64,
and from 467 in 1992 to 565 in 1999 for workers aged 65 and older. Rates
varied from 8 per 100,000 workers in 1994 to 5 per 100,000 workers aged
55–64 in 2002. For workers aged 65 and older, rates declined from
15 per 100,000 workers in 1993 to 11.5 in 2002 (Figure 5–22).
Most fatalities (94% during the 11-year period) occurred among male
workers (Figure 5–23), and white, non-Hispanic workers (82.1%
among workers aged 55 and older) (Figure 5–24). During 1992–2002,
slightly more than half of all fatal occupational injuries among workers
aged 55 and older occurred among operators, fabricators, and laborers
(4,075 or 28.0%) and workers in farming, forestry, and fishing (3,880
or 26.7%) (Figure 5–25). The agriculture, forestry, and fishing
industry experienced the largest share of fatal occupational injuries
(3,629 or 27.1%) (Figure 5–26). Transportation incidents accounted
for 6,737 or 45.8% of fatal occupational injuries among workers aged
55 and older during 1992–2002 (Figure 5–27). Among transportation
incidents, highway, nonhighway (farm and industrial), and being struck
by vehicle or mobile equipment were principal sources of fatal occupational
injuries (Figure 5–27).
BLS reports from employers show that cases of nonfatal occupational
injury and illness involving days away from work among workers aged
55 and older ranged from 148,249 cases in 1993 to 126,494 cases in 1996
(Figure 5–28). The number of cases in 2001 (135,690 cases) is
consistent with a slight increase in reported cases since 1996. Older
workers experience more severe injuries as measured by the median number
of days away from work. Workers aged 55–64 had a median of 10
days away from work, and those aged 65 and older had a median of 14
days. Overall, private sector workers had a median of 6 days away from
work (Figure 5–29). During 2001, the highest proportions of cases
occurred among operators, fabricators, and laborers for workers aged
55–64 (34.8% or 47,095 cases) and 65 and older (31.5% or 7,704
cases) (Figure 5–30). Services, manufacturing (durable), and wholesale
and retail trade together account for 67% of all nonfatal occupational
injuries and illnesses involving days away from work among workers aged
55–64. The same industry sectors predominated for workers aged
65 and older, accounting for nearly 75% of all cases (Figure 5–31).
Fatal Injuries
Magnitude and Trend
How did the numbers and rates of fatal occupational injuries change
among older workers during 1992–2002?
