Private Sector Results

Oregon workers employed in the private sector during calendar year 1995 suffered work-related injuries and illnesses at a rate of 8.8 for every 100 full-time employees. The 1995 total cases incidence rate of 8.8 is the second lowest ever recorded by the private sector in Oregon. It is 11.1 percent lower than the average rate of 9.9 for the period 1985-1995.

The 1995 lost workday cases incidence rate fell to 4.1, the lowest since the start of the survey in 1972. The rate of nonfatal cases without lost workdays increased to 4.6, the second lowest recorded. Compared to the 11-year average, the 1995 lost workday cases incidence rate decreased 16.3 percent while the rate of nonfatal cases without lost workdays decreased 8.0 percent.

Of the 85,862 total recordable cases in 1995, 47.2 percent resulted in lost worktime. An estimated 899,963 workdays were lost in Oregon’s private sector during 1995. This represents a small 0.4 percent increase from the 896,672 workdays lost in 1994.

Industry lost workday cases rates. The record low private sector lost workday cases incidence rate of 4.1 is a 2.4 percent drop from the previous record low of 4.2. Only three industry divisions – manufacturing, transportation and public utilities, and wholesale trade – set record low rates in 1995. However, most other industry divisions posted near-record low rates.

The highest lost workday cases incidence rate of the industry divisions, 5.9, was recorded by manufacturing industries. The lowest rate was 1.6 in finance, insurance and real estate, a 60.0 percent increase from the 1994 rate of 1.0. Wholesale trade showed a large rate decrease, down 15.9 percent to 3.7. Mining was the other industry division to report a rate decrease of 4.8 percent to 4.0.

Public Sector Results

During 1995, the public sector reported a total cases incidence rate of 7.0, a near-record low in Oregon. This new rate is a 2.8 percent decrease from the rate of 7.2 set in 1992 and 1993, but up by 11.1 percent compared to 1994. State government recorded a total cases rate of 5.9, up 15.7 percent from the 1994 rate of 5.1. Local government registered a rate of 7.5, a 7.1 percent increase from the 1994 rate of 7.0.

The 1995 public sector lost workday cases incidence rate of 3.1 is 24.0 percent above the 1994 rate of 2.5. The 1995 rate consists of the state government lost workday cases rate of 2.5, and the local government rate of 3.4. The public sector logged an estimated 9,876 total recordable cases in 1995. Of these, 4,418 (44.7 percent) resulted in lost workdays. Lost workdays were estimated to be 82,170, up 1.1 percent from 81,273 days in 1994.

National Survey Results

The total cases incidence rate for the private sector nationwide was 8.1 in 1995, down from 8.4 in 1994. The lost workday cases incidence rate decreased 5.3 percent to 3.6, while the incidence rate for nonfatal cases without lost workdays fell 4.3 percent to 4.4. At 4.6, the 1995 Oregon rate for cases without lost workdays was 4.5 percent above the national rate. However, the Oregon lost workday cases incidence rate and total cases incidence rate exceed the national rates by 13.9 percent and 8.6 percent respectively.


Data in this summary are based upon the annual Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) survey which collects data from a scientifically selected sample of employer establishments across the state. This should be distinguished from the data collected from workers’ compensation claims submitted to the department by insurers. To be consistent with other years, data from 1992 and 1993 were re-estimated using the Oregon Estimation System. Some industry rates may vary from those published earlier.

For further information, or to order the 1995 Oregon Occupational Injury and Illness publication, please call the Oregon Department of Consumer & Business Services, Research & Analysis Section at (503) 378-8254.

| DCBS Public Home Page | IMD Home Page | Site Search Engine |

If you have questions about the information contained in this document please contact by e-mail or phone:
Lori Miller, Research Analyst, Research & Analysis Section, Information Management Division (503) 947-7195

This document was originally published in March 1997.
Document URL: http://www.cbs.state.or.us/external/imd/rasums/5_2081s.htm
[Printed form: 440-2081(3/97/IMD)]

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), this publication is available in alternative formats by calling (503) 378-8254 (V/TTY).
The information in IMD publications is in the public domain and may be reprinted without permission.