The number of injury and illness incidents in roofing distribution rose despite the national average decreasing, according to the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, resulting in more workers needing time off to recover.

In its annual Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, the BLS tracks estimates for injury and illness cases that did not result in a fatality. According to the data, in the category of “lumber and other construction materials merchant wholesalers,” the total number of injuries and illnesses was roughly 10,300 in 2023. This is up 7.2% from the 2022 number of 9,600.

This calculates to an incident rate of 4.0 per 100 full-time equivalent workers, above the overall rate of 2.7 for all industry categories.

Of the 10,300 incidents, about 8,000 of them required the worker to miss work or change how they work, up by 17.6% from the previous year. In the category that roofing distribution falls under, 4,500 cases resulted in employees missing work to recover, up 25% from 2022.

Injuries or illnesses resulting in transfers or restrictions for the afflicted worker totaled 3,500, a 6% increase. The remainder fell into the “other” category (2,400), which is down by 11%.

Specific illnesses are tracked, but no data was provided for the roofing distribution category regarding whether the illnesses were skin diseases, respiratory conditions, poisonings, or hearing loss.

In the overall category of merchant wholesalers, durable goods – which includes industries like automobile merchant wholesalers, roofing, brick, hardware and household appliance wholesalers – the overall rate of injuries and illnesses was 2.0, with a total of 64,500 incidents.

In a news release, Department of Labor’s Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health Douglas Parker noted there are "too many workers are injured or sickened every day in the United States, mostly from preventable incidents."

"We all must continue our commitment to making sure that every worker is able to go home healthy and whole," he said.

Nationally, private industry employers reported 2.6 million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses in 2023, down 8.4% from 2022. According to the BLS, this decrease was driven by a 56.6% drop in illnesses to 200,100 cases in 2023, the lowest number since 2019. Specifically, this was due to a 72.6% decrease in respiratory illness cases, down to 100,200 cases in 2023.

“We are encouraged by these significant improvements in injury and illness rates in 2023," said Parker. "Looking at the BLS report and our own recent analysis showing fewer worker deaths in OSHA’s purview, our formula of strong enforcement combined with collaboration between government, labor and the private sector to make workplace safety and health as a core value is making a difference in the lives of America’s workers."

There were 946,500 nonfatal injuries and illnesses involving days away from work in 2023, 20.1% lower than in 2022. These represented 62% of cases involving days away from work, job restriction, or transfer.

The BLS’ report on fatal injuries is expected to be released in December.