NIOSH Updates Occupational Injury and Illness Classification System (OIICS) Web Tool

workers at a construction site

A new web tool is available to assist users of the Occupational Injury and Illness Classification System (OIICS). The system was created in 1992 by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to characterize occupational injury and illness incidents. The system was redesigned 2010 and revised in 2012.

Now NIOSH has updated its OIICS web tool to provide graphical code tree interfaces and downloadable software applications for OIICS users. The tool also will help users develop a better understanding of national occupational injury and illness data released by BLS and NIOSH.

The OIICS includes four coding structures:

– Nature: Principal physical characteristic(s) of the injury or illness.
– Part of Body Affected: Body part / area directly affected by the identified nature of injury or illness.
– Source and Secondary Source: Objects, substances, equipment and other factors that were responsible for the injury or illness incurred by the worker, or that precipitated the event or exposure.
– Event or Exposure: The manner in which the injury or illness was produced or inflicted by the source of injury or illness.

NIOSH worked in collaboration with BLS to develop a web site and a downloadable software application as a resource for employers and others who use the OIICS. Users must understand the OIICS Coding Selection Rules to code or use OIICS data.

Industrial Hazard Signs & Labels

Avoiding unsafe working conditions can help to prevent workplace injuries. Making sure that workers are properly warned of and equipped for any workplace hazards is a great way to make safe any unsafe working conditions.