Montana Department of Labor & Industry Announces Results of 2021 Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses

Helena,MT (WorkersCompensation.com) – The Montana Department of Labor & Industry today released the annual Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses.

The survey found private industry workplaces in Montana reported a rate of 3.4 injury and illness cases per hundred full-time workers in 2021. This is level with the rate of 3.4 cases per hundred full-time workers recorded in 2020. Montana Quarterly Census of Employment & Wage (QCEW) data shows Montana’s annual average employment increased over 21,000 during the same time period. Employment increased from 456,953 in 2020, to 478,676 in 2021.

Employers in Montana reported a total of 12,100 recordable Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) injuries and illnesses in 2021, with 10,400 of those in the private industry. This is an increase from 11,700 total recordable injuries in 2020. Out of the 10,400 private industry injuries and illnesses in 2021, 5,600 were serious enough to require recuperation away from work, a transfer from or restricted duties at work, or both.

Total reported occupational Illness rate decreased from the 2020 rate 34.2 illnesses per 10,000 workers to 26.3 cases per 10,000 workers in 2021.  Respiratory conditions were the number one illness reported in 2021. Private Industry employers reported 19.7 Respiratory Conditions per 10,000 workers.

Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) began collecting both Days Job Transfer Restriction (DJTR) and Days Away from Work (DAFW) case data from employers in the Reference Year (RY) 2021 SOII. BLS will release biennial (i.e., every other year) case & demographic (C&D) estimates. The first biennial release of RY 2021-2022 DJTR and DAFW data is scheduled for the fall of 2023.

DLI’s Data Management Section conducts the annual survey in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. Participating employers maintain injury and illness recordkeeping forms, which are then analyzed to determine incidence rates of workplace injuries and illnesses experience by year. Injuries and illnesses are reported when they result in lost work time, medical treatment beyond first aid, loss of consciousness, restriction of work or motion, or require a transfer to another job.

Montana’s incidence rate of injuries and illnesses varied by major industry sector in 2021. The industries with the higher incidence rates per 100 full-time workers were transportation and warehousing with 4.8 and retail trade with 4.7. The industries with lower incidence rates were professional, scientific, and technical services with 0.7 incidences per 100 full-time workers, management of companies and enterprises with 1.1.

The entire 2021 Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses publication can be viewed here.

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