Workplace injury and illness rates declined in 2000 to their lowest levels since the 1970s, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (LBS).
Although the number of injuries and illness cases remained basically unchanged from 1999, the number of hours worked rose by 2 percent, resulting in a lower injury and illness rate of 6.1 cases per 100 workers. Of particular interest to processors: Injury and illness rates in the manufacturing sector also continued to decline.