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Growing Number of Injuries Among Delivery Drivers
US Department of Labor Statistics on Occupational Injuries
KEY FINDINGS:
Despite the total decrease in the
incidence rate, the following occupations in
the private sector had increases in
their rates:
• Light or delivery service truck drivers
(increased 24 percent)
• Restaurant cooks (increased
20 percent)
• Landscapers and grounds-
keepers (increased 10 percent)
• Registered nurses (increased
5 percent)
CASE CHARACTERISTICS
Overexertion accounted for 22 percent of all occupational injuries and illnesses. Among the
seven occupations with high case counts and incidence rates, it was the leading event or
exposure for nursing aides, orderlies and attendants; janitors and cleaners; and all truck drivers
(except driver/sales workers).
Table A
Percent of Total Musculoskeletal Disorders by Selected Body Part
Multiple
Occupation Total Shoulder Back Abdomen Arm Wrist Leg Body Parts
Truck drivers, 100 12.6 47.6 5.2 3.7 1.4 14.3 4.7
light or delivery
services
Table B
Nonfatal Occupational Injuries and Illnesses Involving Days Away from Work (Private Industry)
Occupation Number Median Days Away From Work
Truck drivers, 31,600 14
light or delivery
services
The study also showed that with truck drivers, light or delivery services, there was a median
of 14 days away from work as a result of these injuries. With statistics like these, HME dealers
can’t afford to take delivery drivers’ backs for granted.
Adapted from Nonfatal Occupational Injuries and Illnesses Requiring Days Away From Work.
Available at http://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/osh2_11092010.pdf.
Accessed September 30, 2011.
The number of reported nonfatal occupational injury and illness cases that require days away
from work to recuperate decreased by 9 percent in 2009 for private industry, state govern-
ment and local government, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The total incidence rate
decreased 5 percent to 117 cases per 10,000 full-time workers. Some of the overall decrease
in case counts may be attributed to economic factors, including a decrease in employment and
total hours worked, particularly in construction and manufacturing.
DID YOU KNOW
Medline’s MedLite beds are up to 40 lbs. lighter
than most other home care bed available today,
helping you reduce the risk of injuries to your
delivery drivers.
Increase of 24 percent
for light or delivery service
truck drivers!
Home Care Beds
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