Both the rate and the number of nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses requiring days away from work in private industry decreased 7 percent from 2007 to 2008, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The rate decreased to 113 per 10,000 full time workers and the number of cases decreased by 80,730. There were 1.1 million cases requiring days away from work in private industry out of 3.7 million total recordable cases as reported by the BLS Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses.  Median days away from work – a key measure of severity of the injuries and illnesses – increased for the first time in 4 years to 8 days in 2008.

(“Nonfatal Occupational Injuries and Illnesses Requiring Days Away From Work, 2008,” http://www.bls.gov/news.release/osh2.nr0.htm)