Federal statistics on nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses are collected in the Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII), an establishment survey of employers. Employers sampled for the survey maintain records of all workplace injuries and illnesses that occur during the survey reference period. However, the estimates may be inaccurate if employers are not aware of injuries and illnesses that occurred or choose not to report them. Workers may be reluctant to report injuries and illnesses they experience due to fear of losing their jobs or being denied other employment opportunities.

BLS seeks to collect more accurate information on the injuries and illnesses that workers may experience to better inform stakeholders about the types of injuries and illnesses that occur and to improve safety for the U.S. workforce. BLS wanted to explore whether collecting the data in a household survey instead of establishment survey would yield more accurate estimates.

NORC assisted BLS in designing and cognitively testing a household SOII. The ability to calculate estimates across industry and occupation groups and to collect high data quality at reasonable cost were factors to consider. To inform the sampling design for the household SOII, we examined existing federal surveys and sampling frames that could support the requirements of the household SOII. To inform the design of a questionnaire for the household SOII, we conducted literature review and background research to explore methodological issues related to the accurate reporting of workplace injuries and illnesses, reference periods, and proxy reporting. NORC designed a draft household survey instrument to collect the same information from households as is collected in the establishment survey. The questionnaire was tested and refined in a series of cognitive interviews.