Data on occupational injuries, illnesses and deaths are collected by Maine, other states, and the
federal government. Based on the most recent data compiled by the Maine Department of Labor’s Bureau
of Labor Standards (MDOL/BLS), there were 13,843 work related and disabling injuries and illnesses in
the state during 2005, resulting in at least one day away from work.2 In 2005, there were also 15 people
who died in occupationally related fatalities, including 10 employees and 5 people who were selfemployed.3
These numbers do not begin to portray the human loss and suffering involved by injured
workers and their families, or the life-long impacts of losing a family member to a work-related death.