Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries and Illnesses Illinois, 1998 A Publication of the Illinois Department of Public Health Division of Epidemiologic Studies Springfield, IL 62761 October 1999 This project was supported by cooperative agreement number W9J48C4171 from the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics
Acknowledgments These data would not be possible without the cooperation of all local, state, and federal agencies that provide source documents used to identify fatal work injuries. Among these agencies are the county coroners and Cook County Medical Examiner's office, local police departments and sheriffs offices, Chicagoland Construction Safety Council, Illinois State Police, Illinois Department of Transportation s Traffic Safety Division, Illinois Cooperative Extension Service, Illinois Department of Public Health's Division of Vital Records, Illinois Department of Labor's Division of Safety Inspection and Education, Illinois Industrial Commission, the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration, National Transportation Safety Board, and Mine Safety and Health Administration. We thank each for its efforts in helping the Illinois Department of Public Health collect and publish data on fatal work injuries. Suggested Citation Edmonston B, Maxfield R, Shen T. Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, Illinois, 1998. Epidemiologic Report Series 99:5. Springfield, IL: Illinois Department of Public Health, October 1999. Copyright Information All material in this report is in the public domain and may be reproduced or copied without permission; citation as to source, however, is appreciated.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) was implemented in 1991 by the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) as a cooperative venture between 32 states, New York City and the federal government. In 1992, the census covered all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Epidemiologic Studies, initiated the CFOI program in Illinois on July 1, 1993. The census monitors, with verification, all fatal work injuries, collecting information on the circumstances of each injury and on characteristics of each decedent. Highlights for Illinois In 1998 in Illinois, 216 occupational fatalities occurred, a 10 percent decrease from 1997 fatalities (n=240). Following are major findings from the 1998 Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries in Illinois:! The self-employed and those working in family businesses accounted for 23 percent of occupational fatalities (see Table 2).! Men accounted for 96 percent of all occupational fatalities.! Workers older than 44 years of age accounted for 47 percent of the occupational fatalities (see Table 2).! Industrial classifications with the greatest proportion of fatalities were transportation/public utilities with 23 percent of the fatalities and construction with 16 percent. Agriculture was the third highest industrial classification with 13 percent of the fatalities (see Table 4).! Foreign-born workers accounted for 13 percent of all occupational fatalities, a higher proportion than their 11 percent share of the Illinois population.
! Workers in the agriculture industry experienced an 18 percent decrease in occupational fatalities from 1997 to 1998 (33 to 28, respectively).! Homicides in the workplace decreased 26 percent from 1997 to 1998 (39 to 30, respectively) and self-inflicted violent acts decreased 43 percent during the same period (10 to 8 for 1997 and 1998, respectively).! In Illinois, transportation incidents were the leading fatal event for men with 34 percent (n=74) of the fatalities.! The leading fatal events for women were also transportation incidents with 56 percent (n=5) of the fatalities (see Figure 1).! Death certificates were researched for occupational illnesses in Illinois. The criteria, which has been used for the last three years, includes industrial and occupational classification as well as event and nature. Fatal illnesses increased in 1998 by 467 from 1997 results (n=1,072) (see Table 9). Chicago Metropolitan Area Highlights The Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries recorded 120 fatal workplace injuries in the Chicago metropolitan area counties of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will. Of these, 26, or about 22 percent, were the result of homicides. Other major findings included! In the Chicago area, the industry with the greatest proportion of fatalities was transportation with 27 percent (n=32). By occupational title, operators, fabricators, and laborers accounted for the largest proportion of fatalities with 42 percent (n=50).! The self-employed and those working in family businesses accounted for 18 percent (n=21) of all Chicago-area occupational fatalities. 2
! Transportation incidents were the leading fatal event in the Chicago area for both men and women with 31 percent (n=37) and 60 percent (n=3), respectively. BACKGROUND In the past, national fatality estimates have varied widely from 3,000 to 11,000 deaths per year. 1 Differences in coverage, in definitions of a work fatality, and in estimation methodologies have contributed to the variations in these estimates. The National Academy of Sciences and the Keystone Dialogue Group a evaluated work injury and illness statistics in the United States in 1987. The National Academy of Sciences panel recommended that BLS work with state agencies to compile complete rosters of occupational fatalities from administrative sources, such as death certificates and workers' compensation claims. 2 This census would include workrelated deaths of the self-employed, workers younger than 16 years of age, workers on small farms, and other worker groups not commonly reported in current statistical systems. In response to this and other recommendations, BLS developed the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries as part of a broad redesign of its safety and health statistics program. 3 METHODS Deaths Due to Occupational Injuries CFOI uses multiple data sources such as death certificates, workers compensation report claims, medical examiner reports, and other available federal and state administrative records to compile a complete and verified count of fatal workplace injuries. It collects reports of all traumatic occupational fatalities, including those injuries to the self-employed, laborers on small farms, government workers, and a Keystone Dialogue Group is a non-profit organization that facilitates consensus-building dialogues among business, labor, and government on public policy issues. 3
other workers difficult to identify from a single data source on workplace fatalities. Table 1 shows the number and percentage of documents used as sources in Illinois. A total of 827 documents were used to identify and verify 216 occupational fatalities in 1998. To ensure an accurate count of fatal occupational injuries, CFOI requires that the work relationship be substantiated by two or more independent source documents or by a source document and a follow-up questionnaire. Source documents are matched using the decedent's name and other information to avoid duplicate counts. Non-response to the questionnaire and inconsistent data require further follow-up by telephone. At the end of the collection period, fatalities with only one source document are reviewed by BLS. The fatality is included in the database only if the state and BLS agree there is sufficient information on the source document to determine that the fatality was indeed work-related. Not all fatal injuries in the workplace meet the BLS case definition, or are in scope. To be considered in scope, a fatality must occur to an employee who works for pay, compensation, profit, or as a volunteer at the time of the event. The employee also must be engaged in a work activity or present at the site of the incident as a requirement of the job. A work relationship exists if an event or exposure results in fatal injury or illness to a person 1) on the employer's premises and the person was there to work; or 2) off the employer's premises and the person was there to work, or the event or exposure was related to the person's work or status as an employee. Work is defined as duties, activities, or tasks that produce a product or result; are done in exchange for money, goods, services, profit, or benefit; and are legal activities in the United States. 4
Deaths Due to Occupational Illnesses The census also conducts surveillance of deaths related to occupational illnesses. Data can be used to investigate known workplace hazards as well as to generate new hypotheses that can be evaluated in subsequent epidemiologic studies. Surveillance of deaths related to occupational illnesses is conducted using death certificates, federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports, and workers' compensation claim reports. No follow-up questionnaires or secondary source documents are solicited. Because the work relationship is not verified for occupational illnesses, the data are considered experimental. Death certificates are searched for cause of death and contributing causes of death due to occupational illnesses. Deaths resulting from angiosarcoma of the liver, skin cancer of the scrotum, mesothelioma, silicosis, asbestosis, and coal worker's pneumoconiosis are included. Heart attacks that occur either on the employer's premises or while at work also are included. Additionally, several other deaths are included when the occupation or industry is a known risk for a certain disease. For example, coal miners or glass factory workers with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or lung cancer are included in the census. CFOI staff continue to research scientific literature for associations between occupational exposures and disease. RESULTS Injury Fatality Counts and Proportions Besides comprehensive counts of fatal work injuries and the circumstances surrounding them, CFOI data provide information on the demographic characteristics of the workers. Table 2 presents a profile of occupational fatalities by socio-demographic characteristics for the U.S., Illinois, and the Chicago area. In Illinois, wage and salary workers represented 77 percent (n=167) of all occupational fatalities. 5
The self-employed experienced 23 percent (n=49) of all fatalities. Workers 25 to 54 years of age composed 67 percent (n=145) of all occupational fatalities, with workers 45 to 54 years of age experiencing 20 percent (n=44) of fatalities in this age classification. White workers accounted for 82 percent (n=178) of all occupational fatalities. Table 3 shows the number and percentage of fatal occupational injuries by occupation for the U.S., Illinois, and the Chicago area. Illinois operators, fabricators, and laborers experienced 39 percent (n=84) of all fatalities. This occupational category includes two subcategories that experienced 93 percent (n=76) of the fatalities: transportation and material-moving operations (n=54) and handlers, equipment cleaners, helpers, and laborers (n=22). Precision production, craft and repair occupations experienced 20 percent (n=43) of all occupational fatalities. Table 4 presents the number and percentage of fatal occupational injuries by industry, again for the U.S., Illinois, and the Chicago area. Industries with the greatest number of occupational fatalities included transportation and public utilities with 23 percent (n=49) and construction with 16 percent (n=34) of all fatalities. Within construction, the number was highest among special trades contractors (n=18). Table 5 shows the number and percentage of fatal occupational injuries by event or exposure for the three geographic areas. Transportation incidents, both highway and non-highway, comprised 36 percent (n=79) of all fatal occupational injuries in Illinois. Highway incidents made up 52 percent (n=41) of the transportation fatalities, while workers struck by vehicle accounted for 13 percent (n=10). Assaults and violent acts were 18 percent (n=38) of all occupational fatalities, with homicides accounting for 79 percent (n=30) of all assaults and violent acts. Table 6 shows the number and percentage of Illinois fatalities by industry and event. Workers in the retail, transportation, and service industries experienced 74 percent (n=29) of all the assaults and violent 6
acts committed (n=38). Transportation incidents accounted for 54 percent (n=15) of all agriculture workers killed (n=28). Falls accounted for 50 percent (n=17) of all construction industry fatalities (n=34). Table 7 presents the number of occupational fatalities by county. Forty-nine counties in Illinois had no occupational fatalities; 40 counties had less than three fatalities;12 counties had three to 11 fatalities; and Cook County, the heaviest populated county, had 94 occupational fatalities. Occupational Illness Fatalities A total of 1,539 workers died as a result of occupational illnesses in 1998, an increase of 467 over1997. The same guidelines used in 1997 were used in 1998. Table 8 presents the number and percentage of fatal occupational illnesses by selected characteristics of the decedents. Wage and salary workers had the greatest number of fatal occupational illnesses, as did men, workers 55-74 years of age, white workers, and non-hispanic workers. Table 9 shows the number and percentage of fatal occupational illnesses by major occupation and industry. The occupation with the greatest number of fatalities was precision production, craft, and repair (n=577), while the industry with the greatest number of occupational illnesses was manufacturing (n=718). Table 10 presents the number and percentage of fatal occupational illnesses by event or exposure. Exposure to harmful substances or environments accounted for 68 percent (n=1,047) of all fatal occupational illnesses. Table 11 shows the number and percentage of fatal occupational illnesses by nature of illness and source of illness. The most prevalent illness was neoplastic tumors (n=1,064), while the most common source of illness was coal, natural gas, petroleum, and products not elsewhere classified (n=338). 7
DISCUSSION Many safety experts regard fatal work injuries as sentinel events, occurrences suggesting a failure in the use and application of preventive practices. 4 Unfortunately, the safety and health community has lacked the basic information needed to assess the full scope of these tragic events. The information compiled by the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries yields vital insights that may aid in preventing fatal on-the-job injuries. The Illinois database can assist users in generating fatality profiles for specific industries and populations (for example, self-employed or female workers) or in studying fatalities involving certain types of machinery (such as farm equipment) or events (for example, work activities at the time of contact with electric current). These studies can be used to identify existing workplace standards that require revision and to highlight areas where intervention strategies need to be developed to decrease the hazards in Illinois workplaces and thus increase the occupational safety of Illinois workers. 8
References 1. The BLS Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses estimated that there were 2,900 workrelated fatalities during 1990. For the same year, the National Safety Council estimated 10,500 work-related fatalities. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health's (NIOSH) National Traumatic Occupational Fatality program estimated 5,700 work-related deaths for 1989, the latest year for which data from that program are available. 2. Counting Injuries and Illnesses in the Workplace: Proposals for a Better System, Washington, DC: National Research Council; National Academy Press, 1987. 3. Toscano G. "The BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries," Compensation and Working Conditions, June 1991, pp. 1-2. 4. McNabb S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, presentation at the CFOI national conference, Washington, DC, September 9, 1992. 9
Table 1. Distribution of Injury Source Documents by Type Illinois, 1998 Source Document Number Percent Coroner report 197 24 Death certificate 225 27 Employer followback 1 <1 Informant followback 0 0 Federal employees report 0 0 Mine safety report 1 <1 Motor vehicle accident report 5 <1 Medical examiner's report and followback 3 <1 Newspaper 160 19 OSHA 01 1 54 7 OSHA 36 2 58 7 OSHA 170 3 46 6 Other 38 5 Workers compensation claims 39 5 Total 827 103 SOURCE: Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Epidemiologic Studies, on behalf of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in cooperation with state and federal agencies, Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, July 1998. 1 OSHA 01 is used to record data related to the inspection of a workplace. It is also used to record whether an anticipatory warrant/subpoena was served, denial of entry information, and information on cases that are terminated before becoming inspections. 2 OSHA 36 is a preinspection form used to record data pertaining to a fatality/catastrophe that occurs in an establishment under OSHA's or a state OSHA's jurisdiction. It is completed at the time the event is initially reported to OSHA. Its purpose is to provide OSHA with enough information on the event to determine whether to investigate. 3 OSHA 170 is used to record a summary of the results of investigations of all events involving fatalities, catastrophes, amputations, hospitalizations of two or more days, and significant publicity or property damage. NOTE: Percents may not add to 100 due to rounding. 10
Employee Status Table 2. Distribution of Fatal Occupational Injuries by Selected Socio-Demographic Characteristics U.S., Illinois, and Chicago Area, 1998 U.S. Illinois Chicago Area a n % n % n % Wage and salary workers 4,782 79 167 77 99 83 Self-employed b 1,244 21 49 23 21 18 Gender Male 5,544 92 207 96 115 96 Female 482 8 9 4 5 4 Place of Birth U.S.A. 187 87 99 83 Foreign 29 13 21 17 Age c Less than 25 years 619 10 13 6 7 6 < 19 201 3 - - 20-24 418 10 7 25 to 54 years 4,025 67 145 67 84 70 25-34 1,233 34 20 35-44 1,521 67 43 45-54 1,271 44 21 55 years and older 1,369 23 58 27 28 23 Race 55-64 835 36 18 65 years and older 534 22 10 White 5,016 83 178 82 84 70 Black 591 10 33 15 31 26 Asian or Pacific Islander 148 2 5 2 5 4 Other or not reported 271 4 0 0 0 0 Hispanic Origin Hispanic d 700 12 17 8 14 12 Non-Hispanic 5,326 88 199 92 106 88 TOTAL 6,026 100 216 100 120 100 SOURCE: Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Epidemiologic Studies, on behalf of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in cooperation with state and federal agencies, Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, July 1998. a Includes the Illinois counties of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will. b Includes paid and unpaid family workers and may include owners of incorporated businesses or members of partnerships. c There were 13 fatalities for which age was not reported at the national level. d Persons identified as Hispanic may be of any race. NOTE: Totals for major categories may include subcategories not shown separately. Percents may not add to 100 due to rounding. 11
Table 3. Distribution of Fatal Occupational Injuries by Occupation a U.S., Illinois, and Chicago Area, 1998 U.S. b Illinois Chicago Area c n % n % n % Managerial and professional specialty 637 11 19 9 9 8 Executive, administrative, and managerial 408 14 5 Professional specialty 229 5 4 Technical, sales and administrative support 678 11 23 11 14 12 Technicians and related support 68 3 -- Sales occupations 396 18 10 Administrative support occupations, including clerical 114 -- -- Service occupations 439 7 17 8 14 12 Protective service 257 9 8 Personal service occupations 182 8 6 Farming, forestry, and fishing 921 15 30 14 7 6 Farming occupations 370 19 -- Other agriculture and related occupations 361 11 5 Precision production, craft, and repair 1,08 4 18 43 20 26 22 Mechanics and repairers 285 9 7 Construction trades 631 22 12 Precision production occupations 168 12 7 Operators, fabricators, and laborers 2,15 1 36 84 39 50 42 Machine operators and tenders 221 8 6 Transportation and material moving operations 1,257 54 31 Motor vehicle operators 1,020 44 25 Truck drivers 879 34 5 Handlers, equipment cleaners, helpers, and laborers 673 22 13 Construction laborers 335 5 3 Military 88 1 0 0 0 0 Unknown 0 0 0 0 0 Total 6,02 6 100 21 6 100 120 100 SOURCE: Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Epidemiologic Studies, on behalf of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in cooperation with state and federal agencies, Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, July 1998. a Based on the 1990 Occupational Classification System developed by the Bureau of the Census. b There were 28 fatalities for which there was insufficient information to determine an occupation classification. c Includes the Illinois counties of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will. NOTE: Totals for major categories may include subcategories not shown separately. Percents and employment numbers may not add to totals due to rounding. Numbers are omitted and replaced with dashes, indicating they do not meet publication criteria, when a category has less than three occupational fatalities. 12
Table 4. Distribution of Fatal Occupational Injuries by Industry a U.S., Illinois, and Chicago Area, 1998 U.S. b Illinois Chicago Area c n % n % n % Agriculture 831 14 28 13 6 5 Agricultural production - crops 378 19 -- Agricultural production - livestock 174 3 -- Agricultural services 167 6 4 Mining 146 2 4 2 0 0 Construction 1,171 19 34 16 18 15 General building contractors 212 8 5 Heavy construction except building 271 8 4 Special trades contractors 679 18 9 Roofing, siding, and sheet metal work 6 3 Manufacturing 694 12 28 13 17 14 Industrial machinery and equipment 3 -- Primary metal industries 6 4 Fabricated metal products 5 5 Electronic and other electric equipment 4 3 Food and kindred products 72 3 -- Transportation and public utilities 909 15 49 23 32 27 Trucking and warehousing 562 23 12 Local and interurban passenger transportation 85 9 8 Rail transportation 5 4 Water transportation 4 3 Wholesale 228 4 8 4 0 0 Durable goods 5 -- Non-durable goods 3 -- Retail 569 9 20 9 11 9 Food stores 135 4 -- Automotive dealers and service stations 119 5 -- Eating and drinking places 107 4 3 Miscellaneous retail 4 3 Finance, insurance, and real estate 92 2 3 1 0 0 Services 757 13 27 13 18 15 Business services 194 8 6 Hotel and other lodging places 4 3 Amusement and recreation services 4 -- Personal services 4 3 Government d 598 10 15 7 13 11 Total 6,026 100 216 100 120 100 SOURCE: Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Epidemiologic Studies, on behalf of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in cooperation with state and federal agencies, Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, July 1998. a Standard Industrial Classification Manual, 1987 edition. b There were 31 fatalities for which there was insufficient information to determine a specific industry classification. c Includes the Illinois counties of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will. d Includes fatalities to workers employed by governmental organizations regardless of industry. NOTE: Totals for major categories may include subcategories not shown separately. Percents and employment numbers may not add to totals due to rounding. Numbers are omitted and replaced with dashes, indicating they do not meet publication criteria, when a category has less than three occupational fatalities. 13
Table 5. Distribution of Fatal Occupational Injuries by Event or Exposure a U.S., Illinois, and Chicago Area, 1998 U.S. Illinois Chicago Area b n % n % n % Transportation incidents 2,630 44 79 37 37 31 Highway 1,431 41 18 Collision between vehicles, mobile equipment 701 28 15 Non-highway (farm, industrial premises) 384 13 -- Worker struck by vehicle 413 10 7 Railway accident 60 -- -- Water vehicle 112 6 3 Aircraft 223 7 5 Assaults and violent acts 960 16 38 18 31 26 Homicides 709 30 26 Shooting 569 27 24 Self-inflicted injury 223 8 5 Contact with objects and equipment 941 16 36 17 18 15 Struck by object 517 20 9 Struck by falling object 317 12 6 Caught in or compressed by equipment or objects 266 12 7 Caught in or crushed in collapsing materials 140 4 -- Falls 702 12 34 16 18 15 Fall to lower level 623 26 14 Exposure to harmful substances or environments 572 9 24 11 13 11 Contact with electric current 334 12 3 Exposure to caustic, noxious, or allergenic substances 104 6 6 Oxygen deficiency 87 4 3 Fires and explosions 205 3 5 2 3 2 Other c 16 0 -- -- -- -- Total 6,026 100 216 100 120 100 SOURCE: Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Epidemiologic Studies, on behalf of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in cooperation with state and federal agencies, Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, July 1998. a Based on the 1992 BLS Occupational Injury and Illness Classification Structures. b Includes the Illinois counties of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will. c Includes the category "Bodily reaction and exertion." NOTE: Totals for major categories may include subcategories not shown separately. Percents may not add to 100 due to rounding. 14
Table 6. Number and Percentage of Occupational Fatalities by Industry a and Event, Illinois, 1998 Event Assault Contact Exposure Falls Fires Transportation Total Industry n % n % n % n % n % n % n % Agriculture 0 0 7 19 4 17 -- -- 0 0 15 19 28 13 Construction -- -- 3 8 3 13 17 50 0 0 8 10 34 16 Finance, insurance, real estate -- -- 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 -- -- 3 1 Manufacturing 3 8 10 28 5 21 6 18 -- -- 3 4 28 13 Mining -- -- -- -- -- -- 0 0 3 60 -- -- 4 2 Public administration 4 11 -- -- -- -- 3 9 0 0 -- -- 15 7 Retail 12 32 0 0 -- -- 0 0 0 0 5 6 20 9 Transportation and public utilities 5 13 5 14 3 13 -- -- 0 0 34 43 49 23 Services 10 26 4 11 5 21 3 9 0 0 5 6 27 13 Wholesale 1 3 3 8 -- -- -- -- 0 0 3 4 8 4 Total 38 100 36 95 24 63 34 89 5 13 79 208 216 100 SOURCE: Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Epidemiologic Studies, on behalf of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in cooperation with state and federal agencies, Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, July 1998. a Standard Industrial Classification Manual, 1987 edition. NOTE: Percents and numbers may not add to subtotals and totals due to rounding. Numbers are omitted and replaced with dashes, indicating they do not meet publication criteria, when a category has less than three occupational fatalities. 15
Table 7. Number of Fatal Occupational Injuries by County Illinois, 1998 County n County n County n Adams -- Hardin -- Morgan -- Alexander 0 Henderson 0 Moultrie 0 Bond 0 Henry -- Ogle -- Boone -- Iroquois 0 Peoria 4 Brown 0 Jackson -- Perry -- Bureau 0 Jasper 0 Piatt 0 Calhoun 0 Jefferson -- Pike -- Carroll 0 Jersey 0 Pope -- Cass -- Jo Daviess -- Pulaski -- Champaign 6 Johnson 0 Putnam 0 Christian -- Kane -- Randolph -- Clark -- Kankakee -- Richland -- Clay 0 Kendall 0 Rock Island 0 Clinton -- Knox -- St. Clair -- Coles 0 Lake 6 Saline 0 Cook 94 LaSalle 0 Sangamon 10 Crawford -- Lawrence 0 Schuyler -- Cumberland 0 Lee 0 Scott 0 DeKalb -- Livingston -- Shelby 0 DeWitt 0 Logan 0 Stark -- Douglas -- McDonough 0 Stephenson 0 DuPage 9 McHenry -- Tazewell 3 Edgar 0 McLean 3 Union 0 Edwards 0 Macon -- Vermilion - Effingham - Macoupin 0 Wabash - Fayette 0 Madison 7 Warren 0 Ford 0 Marion 0 Washington 0 Franklin 0 Marshall 0 Wayne 3 Fulton -- Mason 0 White 0 Gallatin -- Massac -- Whiteside -- Greene 0 Menard 0 Will 7 Grundy 0 Mercer 0 Williamson 4 Hamilton -- Monroe 0 Winnebago 6 Hancock 0 Montgomery -- Woodford 0 SOURCE: Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Epidemiologic Studies, on behalf of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in cooperation with state and federal agencies, Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, July 1998. NOTE: Numbers are omitted and replaced with dashes, indicating they do not meet publication criteria, when a category has less than three occupational fatalities. 16
Table 8. Distribution of Fatal Occupational Illnesses by Selected Characteristics as Stated on Death Certificate, Illinois, 1998 Employee Status Number Percent Wage and salary workers 1,534 100 Self-employed a 5 0 Sex Men 1,405 91 Women 134 9 Age <25 years 5 0 25 to 54 years 126 8 55 to 74 years 744 48 75+ years 664 43 Race White 1,379 90 Black 160 10 Other or unknown -- 0 Hispanic Origin Hispanic b 2 0 Non-Hispanic 1,537 100 Total 1,539 100 SOURCE: Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Epidemiologic Studies, on behalf of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in cooperation with state and federal agencies, Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, July 1998. a Includes paid and unpaid family workers and may include owners of incorporated businesses or members of partnerships. b Persons identified as Hispanic may be of any race. NOTE: Percents may not add to totals due to rounding. Numbers are omitted and replaced with dashes, indicating they do not meet publication criteria, when a category has less than three occupational fatalities. 17
Table 9. Distribution of Fatal Occupational Illnesses Major Occupations and Industries as Stated on Death Certificate Illinois, 1998 Number Percent Occupation a Managerial and professional specialty 157 10 Technical, sales, and administrative support 105 7 Service occupations 61 4 Farming, forestry, and fishing 117 8 Precision production, craft, and repair 577 37 Operators, fabricators, and laborers 509 33 Military 5 0 Unknown 8 1 Total 1,539 100 Industry b Agriculture 120 8 Mining 72 5 Construction 247 16 Manufacturing 718 47 Transportation and public utilities 135 9 Wholesale and retail trade 80 5 Finance, insurance, and real estate 10 1 Services 114 7 Government 43 3 Unknown 0 0 Total 1,539 100 SOURCE: Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Epidemiologic Studies, on behalf of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in cooperation with state and federal agencies, Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, July 1998. a Based on the 1990 Occupational Classification System developed by the U.S. Bureau of the Census. b Includes the Illinois counties of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will. NOTE: Totals for major categories may include subcategories not shown separately. Percents and employment numbers may not add to totals due to rounding. Numbers are omitted and replaced with dashes, indicating they do not meet publication criteria, when a category has less than three occupational fatalities. 18
Table 10. Distribution of Fatal Occupational Illnesses by Event or Exposure a as Stated on Death Certificate Illinois, 1998 Number Percent Exposure to harmful substances of environments 1,047 68 Exposure to caustic, noxious, or allergenic substance 978 Exposure to unspecified caustic, noxious, or allergenic substance 761 Inhalation of substance 217 Exposure to radiation 28 Exposure to sun 28 Other events or exposures 492 32 Total 1,539 100 SOURCE: Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Epidemiologic Studies, on behalf of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in cooperation with state and federal agencies, Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, July 1998. a Based on the 1992 BLS Occupational Injury and Illinois Classification Structures. NOTE: Totals for major categories may include subcategories not shown separately. 19
Nature a Table 11. Distribution of Fatal Occupational Illnesses Nature of Illness and Source Illinois, 1998 Number Percent Systemic disease and disorders 475 31 Circulatory system diseases 41 Ischemic heart disease, including heart attack 39 Respiratory system diseases 433 Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and allied conditions 400 Pneumoconiosis 33 Neoplasms, tumors, and cancer 1,064 69 Total 1,539 100 Source of Illness Chemicals and chemical products 745 48 Metallic particulates, trace elements, dusts, powders, fumes 77 Chemical products--general 153 Coal, natural gas, petroleum fuels and products, N.E.C. b 338 Coal and coal products 67 Persons, plants, animals, and minerals 221 14 Minerals 175 Asbestos 161 Silica 9 Other sources 113 7 Unknown 460 30 Total 1,539 100 SOURCE: Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Epidemiologic Studies, on behalf of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in cooperation with state and federal agencies, Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, July 1998. a Based on the 1992 BLS Occupational Injury and Illness Classification Structures and event stated on death certificates. b Not elsewhere classified. NOTE: Totals for major categories may include subcategories not shown separately. Percents may not add to totals due to rounding. 20
Figure 1. Numbers of Fatal Occupation Injuries by Gender and Event Illinois, 1998 Males 74 Transportation Assaults 34 5 Fire Falls 34 36 24 Exposure to harmful substances Contact with object or equipment Females 5 Transportation 4 Assaults SOURCE: Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Epidemiologic Studies, on behalf of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in cooperation with state and federal agencies, Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, July 1998. 21
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