The Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses for 2014: Definitions
Case of job transfer: An injured or ill employee was assigned to a job other than his or her regular job for part of the day other than the day of injury or illness.
Case of restricted duty: An employee was kept from performing one or more routine functions (work activities the employee performed at least once per week) of his or her job, or was kept from working a full workday, or a licensed health care professional recommended either of the above.
Cases with days away from work: Severe cases that counted the day after the injury or onset of the illness, which may or may not include days of job transfer or restriction. Up to 180 days away from work (and/or days of job transfer or restriction) are counted for each injury.
Event or exposure: The manner in which the injury or illness was produced or inflicted, such as falls, overexertion, or repetitive motion.
Incidence rate: Represents the number of injuries and illnesses per 100 full-time workers, calculated as (N/EH) x 200,000 where: N = number of injuries and illnesses EH = total hours worked by all employees during the calendar year 200,000 = base for 100 equivalent full-time workers (working 40 hours per week, 50 weeks per year).
Mandatory survey: Participation by private sector employers is required by Public Law 91-596 by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Participation by public sector employers is required by law by Wyoming OSHA, as Wyoming is a State Plan State. If an employer receives a survey from the BLS, even if they are partially exempt by OSHA due to having less than 11 employees for example, they must still complete the survey.
Nature of injury or illness: The physical characteristics of the disabling injury or illness, such as cuts, fractures, or sprains.
Other recordable cases: Cases not involving days away from work or days of job transfer or restricted duty but requiring medical treatment beyond first aid. Other recordable cases include, for example, stitches, prescription medication, a concussion, loss of consciousness, medical removal from job site, musculoskeletal disorders, or other significant diagnosed injury or illness.
Out of scope: An employer who did not have employees for the survey year or an employer whose employment size class or industry code changed.
Part of body: The part of the body directly linked to the nature of injury or illness cited, such as back, finger, or eye.
Relative Standard Error (RSE): A percentage of the estimate. The standard error defines a range (confidence interval) around the estimate. The approximate 95% confidence interval is the estimate plus or minus twice the standard error. If several different samples were selected to estimate the population value, the 95-percent confidence interval would include the true population value approximately 95 percent of the time.
Source of injury or illness: The object, substance, exposure, or bodily motion that directly caused the disabling condition, such as chemical, vehicle, or machinery.