Statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics: U.S. Department of Labor show how injuries and illnesses affect the number of days employees are away from work after an incident.

The information below is broken out by age group. Number of Cases refers to the total number of illnesses and injuries, Incidence Rate refers to the number of illnesses and injuries per 10,000 full-time workers, and Days Away from Work (DAFW) refers to the number of work days missed due to the incidence.

Age Group 16-19

• Number of Cases: 24,910
• Incidence Rate: 110.5
• Median Days Away From Work: 4

Age Group 20-24

• Number of Cases: 93,940
• Incidence Rate: 98.3
• Median Days Away From Work: 4

Age Group 25-34

• Number of Cases: 233,940
• Incidence Rate: 92.9
• Median Days Away From Work: 6

Age Group 35-44

• Number of Cases: 245,450
• Incidence Rate: 102.6
• Median Days Away From Work: 9

Age Group 45-54

• Number of Cases: 280,100
• Incidence Rate: 112.8
• Median Days Away From Work: 12

Age Group 55-64

• Number of Cases: 207,250
• Incidence Rate: 115.8
• Median Days Away From Work: 13

Age Group 65 and over

• Number of Cases: 43,390
• Incidence Rate: 89.2
• Median Days Away From Work: 14

As you can see, employees in the 45 – 54 age group have the highest days away from work compared to all other age groups. Employees who fall in the 55 – 64 age group have the highest incidence rates.

Preventing Days Away from Work

You can be proactive to minimize the number of DAFW. For example, the KEY Prior-to-Hire Assessments can be used to screen potential employees during the application/offer/hiring process, helping to prevent many of the injuries from occurring. KEY Healthy Worker Audits with current employees, assure they are still a good fit for their job.

Ask us how it works! We’re here to help you protect employees from injuries and employers from Workers’ Comp costs and other management issues – while ensuring that employee skills are fit for the necessary job duties. You can learn more by talking to our experienced team at KEY Functional Assessments Network.