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NIOSH Publication No. 99-107:Identifying High-Risk Small Business Industries - The Basis for Preventing Occupational Injury, Illness, and Fatality |
May 1999 |
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Contents
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| Main Page | |
| Introduction | |
| Defining and Identifying Small Business Industries | |
| Small Business Industries and Related Measures of Risk | |
 Results |
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| Discussion | |
| Reference | |
| Appendix | |
At least one-third of all occupational fatalities occurred in establishments with fewer than 20 employees, and at least half occurred in establishments with fewer than 100 employees.
Of the 253 SIC codes that met the definition of small business industry, 105 had available occupational injury, illness, and fatality data. These industries included 101 small business industries with available injury and illness data: 1 at the two-digit SIC level, 88 at the three-digit level, and 12 at the four-digit level. Of the 150 small business industries identified at the four-digit SIC level, 96 SIC codes were contained within a broader small business industry code at the three-digit level. Data indicated that there were 62 small business industries in which at least one fatal occupational injury had occurred. These included 58 small business industries with available injury and illness data and 4 without such data.
The BLS defines occupational injury as a laceration, fracture, sprain, amputation, etc. that results from a work-related event or from a single instantaneous exposure in the work environment [BLS 1997c]. In all private industry, an estimated 6.1 million nonfatal occupational injury cases occurred in 1995. This number translates to an IR of 7.5 injuries per 100 full-time employees. Figures 1 through 6 identify the highest-risk small business industries (top 25%) for which data are available with regard to nonfatal occupational injuries, nonfatal occupational illnesses, and lost workday cases for injuries and illnesses [BLS 1997c]. Figure 1 lists the top quartile of small business industries according to the total number of cases of nonfatal occupational injuries. This ranking does not take into account differences in the number of employees associated with a particular SIC (as with the injury rates in Figure 2), but it is important for showing the number of employees affected. This ranking on the basis of total number of injury cases is also important for recognizing occupational populations to target with interventions that have a broader impact (i.e., those that affect a larger number of employees). Leading the list are two of the largest small business industries*#151;Eating and Drinking Places (SIC 581) and General Contractors and Operative Builders (SIC 15)—with 365,600 cases and 102,700 cases, respectively.
In Figure 2, the top 25% of small business industries are listed by the IRs for nonfatal occupational injury cases. When considering the total number of employees for each SIC, Eating and Drinking Places drops out of the top 25% with an IR of 7.4, and General Contractors and Operative Builders drops to number 22 with an IR of 9.6. Topping the list are the manufacturing categories of Wood Containers (SIC 244), the subcategory Wood Pallets and Skids (SIC 2448), and Animal and Marine Fats and Oils (SIC 2077), with rates of 16.9, 16.5, and 16.4, respectively. All small business industries in the top quartile in Figure 2 have IRs for nonfatal occupational injuries that exceed the average rate for all private industry (i.e., 7.5 cases per 100 full-time employees).
The BLS defines occupational illness as any abnormal condition or disorder (other than one resulting from an occupational injury) caused by exposure to factors associated with employment [BLS 1997c]. This BLS definition includes acute and chronic illness or disease that may be caused by inhalation, absorption, ingestion, or direct contact. Of the estimated 6.5million cases of nonfatal occupational illness and injury in private industry reported by the BLS for 1995, roughly 495,000 (7.5%) were cases of occupational illness. Additional information about occupational illnesses at the two- and three-digit SIC level is available from the BLS, including data for the following illness categories:
Because most of the small business industries examined for this study were identified at the three- and four-digit SIC levels, no analysis was performed of occupational illnesses by the categories listed above for two- and three-digit SIC codes. Instead, SIC codes were identified with the greatest total cases and IRs for occupational injury and illness. Subsequent analyses can be performed to determine the nature of these illnesses, identify related hazards, and determine prevention strategies for priority industries.
The data on nonfatal occupational illnesses in Table 4 and in Figures 3 and 4 may be useful in targeting industries where the morbidity rate reflects illnesses that are caused by exposure to known hazards. Table 4 lists data on the number of occupational illnesses and the corresponding rates for small business industries (when available). In Figure 3, the top 25% of small business industries are ranked by total cases of occupational illnesses. Leading this list is Eating and Drinking Places (SIC 581), with 13,600 cases of occupational illness. Next are Offices and Clinics of Medical Doctors (SIC 801), with 5,200 cases, and Wholesale Trade of Motor Vehicles, Parts, and Supplies (SIC 501), with 2,900 cases. In Figure 4, the top 25% of small business industries are ranked according to IRs for cases of occupational illness. This list is headed by Cut Stone and Stone Products (SIC 328), with an IR of 0.9 cases per 100 full-time employees. Next are Dairy Products Stores (SIC 545), Motor Vehicles, Parts, and Supplies (SIC 501), and Animal and Marine Fats and Oils (SIC 2077), each with an IR of 0.7. Only the top four small business industries in Figure 4 have occupational illness IRs that exceed the average rate for all private industry (i.e., 0.6 cases per 100 full-time employees).
Cases of occupational injury and illness (especially the latter) are likely to be underreported [Leigh et al. 1997]. The data from the annual SOII [BLS 1997c] are collected from private firms that (as some have argued) face an economic incentive to underreport [Ruser and Smith 1991; Leigh etal. 1997]. One study of work-related cumulative trauma disorders (which are considered an occupational illness) indicates a 60% undercount based on illness reporting by private industry [Nelson et al. 1992].
Figures 5 and 6 present lost workday cases and IRs as measures of more severe occupational illnesses and injuries combined ( i.e., cases requiring days away from work, days of restricted work activity, or both) [BLS 1997c]. Figure 5 lists the top 25% of small business industries ranked by total number of lost workday cases due to occupational injury and illness. The ranking in Figure 5 for cases involving lost work time is very similar to that in Figure 1, which shows all cases of nonfatal occupational injuries (with or without lost work time). This similarity is due to the high percentage of occupational injuries (92.5%) in the combined category. Again, with no consideration of the number of employees in a given SIC, Eating and Drinking Places (SIC 581) tops the list with 121,700 cases. General Contractors and Operative Builders (SIC 15) follows with 47,100 cases. The comparison of the ranking based on IRs for lost work time injuries and illnesses (Figure 6) with the ranking involving IRs for all nonfatal injuries (Figure 2) again indicates remarkable similarity. In Figure 6, rankings by IRs for lost workday cases due to occupational injuries and illnesses show that the manufacturing category of Animal and Marine Fats (SIC 2077) leads the list with a rate of 9.3 cases per 100 full-time employees. Next are Trucking Terminal Facilities (SIC 423), with an IR of 8.8; Wood Containers (SIC 244), with an IR of 8.4; and Wood Pallets and Skids (SIC 2448), with an IR of 8.2. All small business industries within the top quartile shown in Figure 6 have lost workday IRs that exceed the average rate for all private industry3.6 lost workday cases per 100 full-time employees.
In 1994, the BLS [1995] reported 6,588 fatal occupational injuries for the entire U.S. workforce, including 665 fatalities among government employees and 1,252 deaths involving self-employed workers. Excluding these two latter groups, the number of fatalities among salaried/wage-earning employees in private industry totaled 4,671 [BLS 1995]. For this investigation, we examined the 1994 CFOI data [BLS 1995] to determine which of the small business industries identified for this study had experienced fatal occupational injuries. Although fatality data for more recent years (1995 and 1996) were available, 1994 CFOI data were used to permit calculation of fatality rates by SIC using the employment data from the County Business Patterns 1994 [Bureau of the Census 1996] as a denominator. Of the 253 industries identified in Tables 3 and 4 as small business industries, 62 were listed in the 1994 CFOI with associated fatal injuries. In Table 5, the small business industries are listed by number of fatal occupational injuries in 1994 associated with each SIC for both salaried/wage-earning employees and self-employed workers. Table 5 also includes a breakdown of the percentage of fatal occupational injuries attributed to a major event or exposure (i.e., transportation incidents, assaults and violent acts, contact with objects and equipment, falls, exposure to harmful substances or environments, and fires and explosions). The total number of reported fatal occupational injuries associated with the small business industries identified in this investigation was 1,924—or 32% of all fatal occupational injuries in private industry. Among small business industries, 356 of the fatal occupational injury cases involved self-employed workers. Fatal occupational injuries for all private industry totaled 5,923, with 1,252 fatal injuries occurring among self- employed workers.
Fatal occupational injuries in the salaried/wage-earning sector of private industry among small business industries (excluding self-employed workers) totaled 1,568—or 34% of the fatal occupational injuries in this sector of private industry in 1994. On the basis of CFOI data for all industries in 1994, the BLS noted that at least one-third of all work-related fatal occupational injuries occurred in establishments with fewer than 20 employees, and at least half occurred in establishments with fewer than 100 employees. The size of the establishment was unknown for 38% of fatal occupational injuries [BLS 1995].
As shown in Table 5, the greatest numbers of fatal occupational injuries among salaried/wage-earning employees occurred with General Contractors and Operative Builders (SIC 15) (n=161), Miscellaneous Special Trade Contractors (SIC 179) (n=158), Eating Places (SIC5812) (n=98), Logging (SIC 241) (n=91), Taxicabs (SIC 412) (n=86), Roofing, Siding, and Sheet Metal Work (SIC176) (n=77), and Landscape and Horticultural Services (SIC 078) (n=64). Figure 7 ranks the top 25% of small business industries with recorded fatal occupational injuries by IRs for fatal occupational injury. For these injuries, the highest IRs (per 100,000 full-time employees) occurred among employees involved with Taxicabs (SIC 412) (IR=324), Trucking Terminal Facilities (SIC423) (IR=>159), Soil Preparation Services (SIC 071) (IR=115), Logging (SIC241) (IR=108), and Cut Stone and Stone Products (SIC 328) (IR=49.6). These rates were significantly higher than the average fatal injury rate for all private industry (4.8 per 100,000 employees), and all small business industries in the top quartile exceeded this rate. The leading causes of fatal occupational injuries among small business industries were also reviewed. Transportation incidents (reported as percentage of all fatal occupational injuries by SIC, percentage associated with highway incidents, and percentage associated with worker struck by vehicle) were the leading cause of fatal occupational injury in 26 of the 62 small business industries reporting at least 1 fatal occupational injury. Transportation incidents were the leading cause of fatal occupational injury for all private industry as well. Assaults and violent acts (reported as percentage of all fatal occupational injuries by SIC, percentage associated with all homicides, and percentage associated with homicides by shooting) were the leading cause of fatal occupational injuries in 17 of the 62 small business industries, predominantly in the Retail and Service divisions. Assaults and violent acts include violence by persons, self-inflicted injury (suicide), and assaults by animals. The vast majority of all fatalities from assaults or violent acts were due to homicides; homicides by shooting were the leading cause. Contact with objects and equipment was the leading cause of fatal occupational injuries in 6 small business industries. Fatal falls were the leading cause in 6 other small business industries, primarily Construction Industries. Exposure to harmful substances and environments was a leading cause in 1 industry (Manufacture of Wood Containers [SIC 244]); this cause was also associated with deaths in 15 other small business industries. Fires and explosions were cited for causing deaths in 7 small business industries.
| TABLE 5. |
Number and type of fatal occupational injuries in small business industries, ranked by number of fatal occupational injuries for 1994 | ||||||||||||||
| Industry name | SIC | Rank† | Number of fatal occupational injuries |
Type of event or exposure as % of total fatal occupational injuries* | |||||||||||
| Total, excluding self- employed |
In self- employed workers |
Transportation incidents |
Assaults/ violent acts |
Contact with objects and equipment |
Falls | Exposure to harmful substances/ environments |
Fires and explosions | ||||||||
| Total | HW‡ | WS | Total | AH | HS | ||||||||||
| Private industry |
-- | --§ | 4,671 | 1,252 | 41 | 20 | 5 | 20 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 10 | 10 | 3 | |
| General contractors and operative builders |
15 | 1 | 161 | 30 | 22 | 14 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 16 | 42 | 12 | 3 | |
| Miscellaneous special trade contractors |
179 | 2 | 158 | 24 | 20 | 8 | 5 | -- | -- | -- | 31 | 32 | 9 | 6 | |
| Eating places | 5812 | 3 | 98 | 21 | 12 | 10 | 2 | 77 | 74 | 61 | -- | 4 | 3 | -- | |
| Logging | 241 | 4 | 91 | 39 | 19 | 6 | 5 | -- | -- | -- | 79 | -- | -- | -- | |
| Taxicabs | 412 | 5 | 86 | 17 | 12 | 10 | -- | 86 | 85 | 82 | -- | -- | -- | -- | |
| Roofing, siding, and sheet metal work |
176 | 6 | 77 | 12 | 9 | 7 | -- | -- | -- | -- | 6 | 67 | 15 | -- | |
| Landscape and horticultural services |
078 | 7 | 64 | 36 | 33 | 17 | 7 | 7 | -- | -- | 23 | 24 | 17 | -- | |
| Plumbing, heating, and air conditioning |
171 | 8 | 57 | 14 | 30 | 21 | -- | 6 | -- | -- | 23 | 24 | 14 | -- | |
| Gasoline service stations |
554 | 9 | 50 | 4 | 15 | 11 | -- | 82 | 76 | 65 | -- | -- | -- | -- | |
| See footnotes at end of table. (Continued) | |||||||||||||||
| TABLE 5 (Continued). |
Number and type of fatal occupational injuries in small business industries, ranked by number of fatal occupational injuries for 1994 | ||||||||||||||
| Industry name | SIC | Rank† | Number of fatal occupational injuries |
Type of event or exposure as % of total fatal occupational injuries* | |||||||||||
| Total, excluding self- employed |
In self- employed workers |
Transportation incidents |
Assaults/ violent acts |
Contact with objects and equipment |
Falls | Exposure to harmful substances/ environments |
Fires and explosions | ||||||||
| Total | HW‡ | WS | Total | AH | HS | ||||||||||
| Masonry, stonework, and plastering |
174 | 10 | 42 | 11 | 34 | 25 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 53 | 8 | -- | |
| Excavation work |
1794 | 11 | 39 | 8 | 36 | 13 | 11 | -- | -- | -- | 53 | -- | -- | -- | |
| Special trade contractors, NEC |
1799 | 12 | 36 | 10 | 20 | 13 | -- | -- | -- | -- | 24 | 15 | 24 | 13 | |
| Automotive repair shops |
753 | 13 | 33 | 28 | 10 | 5 | -- | 34 | 21 | 18 | 28 | -- | 10 | 13 | |
| Painting and paper hanging |
172 | 14 | 31 | 9 | 13 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 63 | 15 | -- | |
| Concrete work | 177 | 15 | 30 | 4 | 27 | 15 | -- | -- | -- | -- | 35 | 12 | 15 | -- | |
| Machinery, equipment, and supplies |
508 | 16 | 28 | -- | 57 | 39 | -- | -- | -- | -- | 25 | -- | -- | -- | |
| Drinking places |
5813 | 17 | 27 | 11 | -- | -- | -- | 92 | 92 | 76 | -- | -- | -- | -- | |
| Real estate operators and lessors |
651 | 17** | 27 | 4 | -- | -- | -- | 45 | 39 | 32 | 16 | 13 | 16 | -- | |
| Religious organizations |
866 | 17 | 27 | -- | 56 | 26 | -- | 19 | 19 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | |
| Lumber and construction materials |
503 | 20 | 25 | -- | 48 | 36 | -- | -- | -- | -- | 20 | -- | 20 | -- | |
| See footnotes at end of table. (Continued) | |||||||||||||||
| TABLE 5 (Continued). |
Number and type of fatal occupational injuries in small business industries, ranked by number of fatal occupational injuries for 1994 | ||||||||||||||
| Industry name |
SIC | Rank† | Number of fatal occupational injuries |
Type of event or exposure as % of total fatal occupational injuries* | |||||||||||
| Total, excluding self- employed |
In self- employed workers |
Transportation incidents |
Assaults/ violent acts |
Contact with objects and equipment |
Falls | Exposure to harmful substances/ environments |
Fires and explosions | ||||||||
| Total | HW‡ | WS | Total | AH | HS | ||||||||||
| Concrete, gypsum, and plaster products |
327 | 21 | 24 | -- | 50 | 33 | 13 | -- | -- | -- | 33 | -- | -- | -- | |
| Motor vehicles, parts, and supplies |
501 | 21 | 24 | -- | 58 | 38 | -- | -- | 13 | -- | 17 | -- | -- | -- | |
| Carpentry and floor work |
175 | 23 | 20 | 11 | 23 | 16 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 55 | 16 | -- | |
| Farm- product raw materials |
515 | 23 | 20 | -- | 35 | 20 | -- | -- | -- | -- | 25 | -- | -- | -- | |
| Miscellaneous repair shops |
769 | 25 | 18 | 11 | 21 | 21 | -- | 21 | 14 | 10 | 24 | -- | -- | 21 | |
| Auto and home supply stores |
553 | 26 | 16 | -- | 50 | 31 | -- | 38 | 25 | 25 | -- | -- | -- | -- | |
| Used merchandise stores |
593 | 27 | 15 | 7 | -- | -- | -- | 77 | 73 | 55 | -- | -- | -- | -- | |
| Retail stores, NEC |
599 | 27 | 15 | 11 | 31 | 23 | -- | 58 | 54 | 35 | -- | -- | -- | -- | |
| Petroleum and petroleum products |
517 | 29 | 14 | -- | 69 | 62 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | |
| Miscellaneous equipment rental and leasing |
735 | 29 | 14 | -- | 57 | 36 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | |
| See footnotes at end of table. (Continued) | |||||||||||||||
| TABLE 5 (Continued). |
Number and type of fatal occupational injuries in small business industries, ranked by number of fatal occupational injuries for 1994 | ||||||||||||||
| Industry name | SIC | Rank† | Number of fatal occupational injuries |
Type of event or exposure as % of total fatal occupational injuries* | |||||||||||
| Total, excluding self- employed |
In self- employed workers |
Transportation incidents |
Assaults/ violent acts |
Contact with objects and equipment |
Falls | Exposure to harmful substances/ environments |
Fires and explosions | ||||||||
| Total | HW‡ | WS | Total | AH | HS | ||||||||||
| Automobile services, except repair | 754 | 29 | 14 | -- | 64 | 21 | 43 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | |
| Crushed and broken stone | 142 | 32 | 13 | -- | 39 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 39 | -- | -- | -- | |
| Laundry, cleaning, and garment services | 721 | 32 | 13 | -- | 23 | 23 | -- | 39 | 39 | 39 | -- | -- | -- | -- | |
| Insurance agents, brokers, and service | 641 | 34 | 11 | -- | 55 | 46 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | |
| Offices and clinics of medical doctors | 801 | 34 | 11 | -- | 36 | -- | -- | 55 | 27 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | |
| Freight transportation arrangement | 473 | 36 | 10 | -- | 80 | 30 | 30 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | |
| Motor vehicle dealers (used only) | 552 | 36 | 10 | -- | 60 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | |
| Radio, television, and computer stores | 573 | 36 | 10 | 5 | 40 | -- | -- | 60 | 60 | 60 | -- | -- | -- | -- | |
| Liquor stores | 592 | 36 | 10 | 12 | -- | -- | -- | 100 | 100 | 86 | -- | -- | -- | -- | |
| Fuel dealers | 598 | 36 | 10 | -- | 40 | 30 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | |
| See footnotes at end of table. (Continued) | |||||||||||||||
| TABLE 5 (Continued). |
Number and type of fatal occupational injuries in small business industries, ranked by number of fatal occupational injuries for 1994 | ||||||||||||||
| Industry name | SIC | Rank† | Number of fatal occupational injuries |
Type of event or exposure as % of total fatal occupational injuries* | |||||||||||
| Total, excluding self- employed |
In self- employed workers |
Transportation incidents |
Assaults/ violent acts |
Contact with objects and equipment |
Falls | Exposure to harmful substances/ environments |
Fires and explosions | ||||||||
| Total | HW‡ | WS | Total | AH | HS | ||||||||||
| Schools and educational services, NEC |
829 | 36 | 10 | -- | 80 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | |
| Industrial and commercial machinery and equipment, NEC |
3599 | 42 | 9 | 4 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 31 | 31 | -- | -- | |
| Passenger transportation arrangement |
472 | 42 | 9 | 4 | 39 | 23 | -- | 39 | 31 | 31 | -- | -- | -- | -- | |
| Hardware, plumbing, and heating equipment |
507 | 42 | 9 | -- | 67 | 33 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | |
| Furniture and home furnishings stores |
571 | 42 | 9 | 7 | 25 | -- | -- | 69 | 50 | 38 | -- | -- | -- | -- | |
| Sand and gravel | 144 | 46 | 8 | -- | 38 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | |
| Metals and minerals, except petroleum |
505 | 46 | 8 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 50 | -- | -- | -- | |
| Miscellaneous shopping goods stores |
594 | 46 | 8 | 11 | -- | -- | -- | 90 | 79 | 63 | -- | -- | -- | -- | |
| Trucking terminal facilities |
423 | 49 | 7 | -- | 43 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | |
| Drug stores and proprietary stores |
591 | 49 | 7 | -- | 57 | 57 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | |
| See footnotes at end of table. (Continued) | |||||||||||||||
| TABLE 5 (Continued). |
Number and type of fatal occupational injuries in small business industries, ranked by number of fatal occupational injuries for 1994 | ||||||||||||||
| Industry name | SIC | Rank† | Number of fatal occupational injuries |
Type of event or exposure as % of total fatal occupational injuries* | |||||||||||
| Total, excluding self- employed |
In self- employed workers |
Transportation incidents |
Assaults/ violent acts |
Contact with objects and equipment |
Falls | Exposure to harmful substances/ environments |
Fires and explosions | ||||||||
| Total | HW‡ | WS | Total | AH | HS | ||||||||||
| Camps and recreational vehicle parks |
703 | 49 | 7 | -- | 71 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | |
| Video tape rental |
784 | 49 | 7 | -- | -- | -- | -- | 100 | 100 | 100 | -- | -- | -- | -- | |
| Services, NEC | 899 | 49 | 7 | -- | 71 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | |
| Wood containers |
244 | 54 | 6 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 57 | -- | |
| Cut stone and stone products | 328 | 54 | 6 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | |
| Furniture and home furnishings | 502 | 54 | 6 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | |
| Soil preparation services | 071 | 57 | 5 | -- | 100 | 60 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | |
| Barber shops | 724 | 57 | 5 | -- | -- | -- | -- | 100 | 100 | 100 | -- | -- | -- | -- | |
| Child day care services | 835 | 57 | 5 | -- | 60 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | |
| Water well drilling | 178 | 60 | 4 | 4 | 38 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 35 | 12 | 15 | -- | |
| Hardware stores | 525 | 60 | 4 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | |
| Offices and clinics of dentists | 802 | 62 | 2 | 4 | -- | -- | -- | 83 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | |
|
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, 1994. *Numbers within the event or exposure columns represent the percentage of fatalities within the SIC associated with that event or exposure. †NOTE: Totals for industries at the three-digit SIC-level may include subcategories. ‡Abbreviations: HW=highway accidents; WS=workers struck by vehicle; AH=all homicides; HS=homicides by shooting; NEC=not elsewhere classified. §Dash indicates that no data were reported or that data do not meet publication criteria. **Identical numbers indicate a tie in the ranking. |
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The small business industry rankings by injury or illness measures in the previous sections are useful for devising and delivering various prevention campaigns. However, ranking these industries by combining data on occupational injury, illness, and fatality is also informative. To determine an overall ranking of the highest-risk small business industries, a combined risk index was calculated. The combined risk index uses the rankings of small business industries according to
For every small business industry listed in each of the three figures above, a score was assigned from 0 to 5 based on the individual ranking of the industry in the figure. Scores were assigned to rankings as follows:
To calculate the combined risk index, rankings based on IRs for nonfatal occupational injuries (Figure 2) and illnesses (Figure 4) were chosen rather than the rankings for total number of cases. Because the IR is derived from the number of cases by SIC divided by the number employed by SIC and is standardized per 100 full-time employees, it may be compared among different small business industries, which may not (and need not) be similar in size.
Rankings based on fatality IRs were also included in the calculation of the combined risk index. Because these cases involve the most extreme consequences of a work-related injury (i.e., death), it was determined that a fatality measure might deserve more weight in identifying hazardous industries. Therefore, a weighting factor was used to increase the relative value placed on fatal injuries in the calculation of the combined risk index. Such an approach was used previously in calculating an index of harm for comparing occupational risk of radiation exposures across industries [Solomon and Abraham 1980]. The score assigned to each SIC for fatal occupational injury IR was multiplied by 2 when calculating the combined risk index, thus giving the ranking based on fatality IRs a weighting equal to the rankings for nonfatal injuries and illnesses combined.
For each small business industry SIC, the three scores were totaled to achieve the combined risk index. The highest possible score was 20 (i.e., 45). Each small business industry SIC was viewed as independent of the others in the rankings and in the calculation of the combined risk index. No adjustment was made for subcategories contained within larger small business industries (e.g., Wood Pallets and Skids [SIC 2448] within Wood Containers [SIC 244]). All small business industries that achieved a combined risk index greater than or equal to 1 are presented by rank in Table 6.
Among the highest-ranking small business industries using the combined risk index was Logging (SIC241), with a combined risk index of 16, followed by Cut Stone and Stone Products (SIC 328) and Trucking Terminal Facilities (SIC 423), with scores of 15. Roofing, Siding, and Sheet Metal Work (SIC176) and Camps and Recreational Vehicle Parks (SIC 703) had combined risk indices scores of 13, and Landscape and Horticultural Services (SIC 078) had a score of 11. Animal and Marine Fats and Oils (SIC 2077), Concrete, Gypsum, and Plaster Products (SIC327), and Taxicabs (SIC 412) each had a combined risk indices score of 10.
Although fatalities were a major contributor to the combined risk index, they did not always drive the rankings in Table 6. The calculation of a combined risk index is another strategy for considering the injury, illness, and fatality data. However, this calculation is not necessarily the most important measure of risk, since prevention efforts can also be implemented on the basis of any of the individual occupational injury and illness measures.
|
TABLE 6. |
Small business industries ranked according to combined risk index | |||||||
| Risk scores assigned to the rankings of small business industries by injury, illness, and fatality Irs in Figures 2, 4, and 7* | ||||||||
| Industry name | SIC | Rank by combined risk index |
Combined risk index† |
Nonfatal occupational injury IR |
Occupational illness IR |
Fatal occupational injury IR × 2‡ |
||
| Logging | 241 | 1 | 16 | 2 | 4 | 10 | ||
| Cut stone and stone products |
328 | 2 | 15 | 0 | 5 | 10 | ||
| Trucking terminal facilities |
423 | 2§ | 15 | 5 | 0 | 10 | ||
| Roofing, siding, and sheet metal work |
176 | 4 | 13 | 5 | 0 | 8 | ||
| Camps and recreational vehicle parks | 703 | 4 | 13 | 2 | 5 | 6 | ||
| Landscape and horticultural services | 78 | 6 | 11 | 2 | 3 | 6 | ||
| Animal and marine fats and oils |
2077 | 7 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 0 | ||
| Concrete, gypsum, and plaster products |
327 | 7 | 10 | 4 | 4 | 2 | ||
| Taxicabs | 412 | 7 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 10 | ||
| Concrete work | 177 | 10 | 9 | 2 | 3 | 4 | ||
| Miscellaneous special trade contractors | 179 | 10 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 8 | ||
| Wood containers | 244 | 10 | 9 | 5 | 0 | 4 | ||
| Crushed and broken stone |
142 | 13 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 8 | ||
| Excavation work | 1794 | 13 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 8 | ||
| Wood preserving | 2491 | 13 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 0 | ||
| Industrial and commercial machinery and equipment, NEC | 3599 | 13 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 0 | ||
| Barber shops | 724 | 13 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 8 | ||
| Water well drilling |
178 | 18 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 6 | ||
| Motor vehicles, parts, and supplies |
501 | 18 | 7 | 2 | 5 | 0 | ||
| Plumbing, heating, and air conditioning |
171 | 20 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | ||
See footnotes at end of table. (Continued)
|
||||||||
|
TABLE 6 (Continued). |
Small business industries ranked according to combined risk index | |||||||
| Risk scores assigned to the rankings of small business industries by injury, illness, and fatality Irs in Figures 2, 4, and 7* | ||||||||
| Industry name | SIC | Rank by combined risk index |
Combined risk index† |
Nonfatal occupational injury IR |
Occupational illness IR |
Fatal occupational injury IR × 2‡ |
||
| Painting and paper hanging |
172 | 20 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | ||
| Masonry, stonework, and plastering |
174 | 22 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | ||
| Carpentry and floor work |
175 | 22 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | ||
| Wood pallets and skids |
2448 | 22 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Lumber and construction materials |
503 | 22 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | ||
| Dairy products stores |
545 | 22 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 | ||
| Special trade contractors, NEC |
1799 | 27 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | ||
| Prepared feeds and feed ingredients for animals and fowls, except dogs and cats | 2048 | 27 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | ||
| Marking devices | 3953 | 27 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | ||
| Metals and minerals, except petroleum |
505 | 27 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | ||
| General contractors and operative builders |
15 | 31 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | ||
| Concrete block and brick |
3271 | 31 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Ready-mixed concrete |
3273 | 31 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Beauty shops | 723 | 31 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | ||
| Offices/clinics of medical doctors |
801 | 31 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | ||
| Animal services, except veterinary |
75 | 36 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||
| Industrial gases | 2813 | 36 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||
| Fertilizers, mixing only |
2875 | 36 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Petroleum and petroleum products |
517 | 36 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||
|
See footnotes at end of table.(Continued) |
||||||||
|
TABLE 6 (Continued). |
Small business industries ranked according to combined risk index | |||||||
| Risk scores assigned to the rankings of small business industries by injury, illness, and fatality Irsin Figures 2, 4, and 7* | ||||||||
| Industry name | SIC | Rank by combined risk index |
Combined risk index† |
Nonfatal occupational injury IR |
Occupational illness IR |
Fatal occupational injury IR × 2‡ |
||
| Motor vehicle dealers (used) |
552 | 36 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||
| Real estate operators and lessors |
651 | 36 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||
| Laundry, cleaning, and garment services |
721 | 36 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||
| Miscellaneous equipment rental and leasing |
735 | 36 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||
| Offices/clinics of dentists |
802 | 36 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||
| Child day care services |
835 | 36 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||
| Services, NEC | 891 | 36 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||
| Recreational vehicle dealers |
556 | 47 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Miscellaneous repair shops |
769 | 47 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||
|
*Scores of 0 to 5 were assigned as follows: a ranking of 1-5 in Figures 2, 4, or 7 was assigned a score of 5; a ranking of 6-10 was assigned a score of 4; a ranking of 11-15 was assigned a score of 3; a ranking of 16-20 was assigned a score of 2; a ranking of 21-last ranking was assigned a score of 1; no ranking was assigned a score of 0. †The combined risk index is the total of the risk scores assigned to the rankings of small business industries by injury, illness, and fatality IRs in Figures 2, 4, and 7. ‡2=weighting factor. §Identical numbers indicate a tie in the ranking. |
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 Related Measures of Risk |
Discussion |
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