Little Rock – The Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing has released the 2024 non-fatal
injury and illness data. These estimates are from the annual Survey of Occupational Injuries and
Illnesses (SOII).
A total of 23,200 work-related injuries and illnesses were reported to have occurred in Arkansas
for private and public sectors combined in 2024, down from 23,900 in 2023. The overall incidence
rate of total recordable cases (TRC) was 2.1 in 2024, same as 2023. Incidence rates represent
the number of injuries and illnesses per 100 full-time equivalent (FTE) workers.
Private Industry
Private industry employers in Arkansas reported 17,700 non-fatal injuries and illnesses in 2024,
down from 19,000 in 2023. The incidence rate was 1.8 injury and illness cases per 100 FTE
workers in 2024, compared to 1.9 in 2023. The national private sector incidence rate was 2.3 in
2024, compared to 2.4 in 2023.
- Private industry employers reported 16,400 non-fatal injuries in 2024, compared to 16,900 in 2023. The incidence rate was 1.7 injury cases per 100 FTE workers, the same rate as 2023 and 2022.
- There were 1,300 illness cases reported from private industry employers in 2024, down
from 2,100 in 2023. The incidence rate of illness cases decreased from 0.2 cases per 100
FTE workers in 2023 to 0.1 cases in 2024. The decrease continues to be driven by the lower
number of respiratory illness cases, which include COVID-19 cases. Private industry
employers reported 600 respiratory illness cases in 2024, compared to 1,200 cases in 2023. - There were 5,200 non-fatal injuries and illnesses that caused a private industry worker to
miss at least one day of work in 2024, compared to 5,800 cases in 2023. - There were 3,500 cases with job transfer or restriction in 2024, compared to 3,600 in 2023.
- There were 9,100 other recordable cases in 2024, compared to 9,500 in 2023. Other
recordable cases are work-related injuries or illnesses that required more than first aid but
did not require day(s) away from work, job transfer or restriction. - The goods-producing sector had 4,500 total recordable cases in 2024, down from 5,300
cases in 2023. The incidence rate was 1.9 for 2024, down from 2.3 in 2023. Within this
sector, the apparel manufacturing subsector had an incidence rate at 4.4. The nonmetallic
mineral product manufacturing subsector had an incidence rate at 3.4. - The service-providing sector had 13,200 total recordable cases in 2024, down from 13,600
cases in 2023. The incidence rate was 1.8 in 2024, same as 2023. Within this sector, the
couriers and messengers subsector had an incidence rate at 5.9. Nursing and residential
care facilities had an incidence rate of 5.3. Hospitals had an incidence rate at 4.5.
State and Local Government
Public sector employers (State and Local Government) in Arkansas reported 5,500 non-fatal
injuries and illnesses in 2024, compared to 4,900 in 2023. The incidence rate was 3.4 injury and
illness cases per 100 FTE workers in 2024, compared to 3.1 in 2023.
State Government – State government employers in Arkansas reported 1,900 non-fatal injury and
illness cases in 2024, compared to 1,500 in 2023. The incidence rate for state government was 3.3
cases per 100 FTE workers in 2024, compared to 2.5 in 2023.
- State government employers reported 1,800 non-fatal injuries in 2024, compared to 1,300 in 2023. The incidence rate was 3.1 injury cases per 100 FTE workers in 2024, compared to 2.3 in 2023. There were 100 illness cases reported from state government employers in 2024, compared to 200 in 2023.
- There were 400 non-fatal injury and illness cases that caused a state government employee
to miss at least one day of work in 2024, compared to 300 in 2023. There were 100 cases
with job transfer or restriction in 2024, same as 2023. There were 1,400 other recordable
cases in 2024, compared to 1,000 in 2023. - Within State government, the justice, public order, and safety activities subsector had an
incidence rate at 9.1 for 2024. Nursing and residential care facilities were at 5.5. Heavy
and civil engineering construction were at 3.5.
Local Government (Cities & Counties) – Local government employers in Arkansas reported
3,600 non-fatal injury and illness cases in 2024, compared to 3,400 in 2023. The incidence rate
for local government was 3.5 cases per 100 FTE workers in 2024, same as 2023.
- Local government employers reported 3,500 non-fatal injuries in 2024, compared to 3,300 in 2023. The incidence rate was 3.5 injury cases per 100 FTE workers in 2024, compared to 3.4 in 2023.
- There were 700 non-fatal injury and illness cases that caused a local government employee
to miss at least one day of work in 2024, compared to 600 in 2023. There were 700 cases
with job transfer or restriction in 2024, compared to 400 in 2023. There were 2,100 other
recordable cases in 2024, compared to 2,500 in 2023. - Within Local government, the nursing and residential care facilities subsector had an
incidence rate at 5.3 for 2024. Hospitals had an incidence rate at 3.6. Educational services
had an incidence rate at 3.5.
Note: Because of rounding, components may not add to totals.
Detailed tables and charts by industry are available upon request.
The Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII) was administered by the Arkansas
Department of Labor and Licensing, Division of Labor, OSH/CFOI Section, in cooperation with
the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. The 2017 version of the North American
Industry Classification System (NAICS 2017) was used to group company data by industry.
Arkansas employers are randomly selected for the survey each year.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic Impact in SOII Results
Occupational injuries and illnesses collected in the SOII include cases of COVID-19 when a
worker was infected as a result of performing their work-related duties and met other
recordkeeping criteria. COVID-19 is considered a respiratory illness under criteria established by
the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
Biennial Case and Demographic Data in the SOII
Estimates involving days away from work (DAFW) and days of job transfer or restriction (DJTR) by detailed case characteristics and worker demographics for 2023-2024 for the private sector and for the public sector will be published in January 2026 in separate releases. SOII began biennial publication for DAFW and DJTR with the period 2021-2022.
For additional information, please go to www.bls.gov/iif (current and archived data for national and by individual state), www.labor.arkansas.gov, or www.bls.gov/iif/state-data.htm#AR.
Fatal occupational injuries for calendar year 2024 were not included in this study. A separate publication for the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) will be issued February 19th, 2026.