| Sumario: | The article presents information on the new data on occupational safety and health released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) based on the changes in classification systems covering industries, occupations, race/ethnicity, and geographic areas. Data on occupational injuries, illnesses, and fatalities for 2003 and beyond are based on these new systems. In addition, changes to definitions used by employers to record injuries and illnesses, and the identification of new or emerging injuries and illnesses, result in occupational safety and health data that are different from the past. These new data help to illuminate the safety and health picture of special populations, many of which are described more precisely under the new classification systems. Using these new definitions, BLS reported 4.4 million nonfatal injuries and illnesses in private industry workplaces in 2003, resulting in a rate of 5.0 cases per 100 equivalent full-time workers. Beyond the annual tabulations on injuries, illnesses, and fatalities, the BLS occupational safety and health statistics program has been involved in special studies of safety and health topics.
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