Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs)
Construction workers are at a higher risk of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) due to tasks that are often repetitive and done in awkward positions. MSDs are a leading cause of missed work and have significant impact on workers’ day-to-day lives, including those with MSDs having higher opioid use compared to those without.
This interactive dashboard examines MSDs resulting in days away from work (DAFW) in construction by year and major subsector. The dashboard-level filter, Year, updates the charts and the bold and underlined key findings.
Following the interactive dashboard, you will find more information on the data source, definitions, chart notes, a downloadable data file, and recommended citation. This interactive data dashboard corresponds to the relevant chapter in the PDF version of the Construction Chart Book, 7th edition.
If you have any questions or comments, please email [email protected].
About the Data
Sarah Flood, Miriam King, Renae Rodgers, Steven Ruggles, J. Robert Warren, Daniel Backman, Etienne Breton, Grace Cooper, Julia A. Rivera Drew, Stephanie Richards, David Van Riper, and Kari C.W. Williams. IPUMS CPS: Version 13.0 [dataset]. Minneapolis, MN: IPUMS, 2011-2024. https://doi.org/10.18128/D030.V13.0.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2011-2024 Current Employment Statistics. https://www.bls.gov/ces/
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2011-2024 Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses. www.bls.gov/iif.
Definitions and Chart Notes
Definitions
- Days away from work (DAFW) – Nonfatal injury cases resulting in at least one day away from work beyond the day of injury or illness onset.
- Full-time equivalent (FTEs) – Determined by the hours worked per employee on a full-time basis, defined as working 2,000 hours (40 hours x 50 weeks) per year.
- Major subsector – 3-digit NAICS codes within construction, including Construction of Buildings (NAICS 236), Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction (NAICS 237), and Specialty Trade Contractors (NAICS 238).
- Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) – Injuries and/or pain that occur in joints, ligaments, muscles, nerves, tendons and other areas of the limbs, neck, or back. Full definition can be found at: https://www.bls.gov/iif/definitions/occupational-safety-and-health-definitions.htm.
Chart Notes
- SOII data shows injuries among private wage-and-salary workers.
- Two-year estimates are used throughout due to SOII moving to biennial estimates for the latest reporting period.