Workplace Fatality Statistics Show Promising Trend

Friday, September 13, 2013 | 0

Last week, the Bureau of Labor Statistics issued a preliminary report indicating a total of 4,383 fatal workplace injuries were reported in the U.S. in 2012. This number represents a decrease in the number of workplace deaths since 2011. In fact, the 2012 total is the second lowest since such totals were first reported in 1992. Despite the overall decrease in fatal workplace injuries, the number of such deaths has increased by 5% in the private construction sector, with the number of such deaths in 2012, 775, representing an increase of 37 from the number of such deaths in 2011, 738. This increase in the number of fatal occupational injuries in private construction marked a deviation in the trend of declining annual rates of death in private construction during each of the five previous years, from 2007 to 2011.
 
So who is dying? The data shows some differences in deaths among various races. Fewer deaths of white and Hispanic construction workers were reported than deaths of blacks and Asians working in the same occupation. In addition, younger workers fared worse than older ones, with the number of deaths of workers who were 16 and younger nearly doubling, from only 10 such deaths in 2011 to 19 such deaths in 2012. In contrast, the deaths of construction workers age 55 and older declined for the second straight year.
 
The manner of death was also studied. Transportation injuries were a frequent cause of death and accounted for two out of every five fatal work injuries in 2012. Out of the total of 1,789 transportation deaths, 58% of those were roadway incidents involving motorized vehicles. Non-roadway incidents with motorized vehicles like tractors accounted for another 13% of the transportation-related deaths. Another 16% of the transportation-related injuries involved pedestrians who were struck by motorized vehicles. Fatal injuries involving airplanes, on the other hand, declined in 2012 by 14%.

Some of the workplace deaths were related to violence, with both suicides and homicides being reported. Altogether 767 workers died in violent encounters with people or animals, including 463 homicides and 225 suicides. Shootings were the most frequent manner of death in both suicides and homicides. Of the 338 fatal workplace injuries involving female workers, 29% involved homicides.

In 2012, a total of 668 workers died in slips, trips and falls. Falls, which totaled 544, accounted for 81% of such deaths. Strangely, the height of the fall did not have to be great, with about one in four fatal falls occurring from a height of 10 feet or less.
 
Sixteen percent of the deaths in 2012 occurred after workers came into contact with equipment or objects on the work site. The number of workers who died after being struck by equipment increased by 7% from 476 in 2011 to 509 in 2012. This number includes 233 workers who died after being struck by falling equipment and 199 workers who died after being struck by powered equipment or vehicles. Only 3% of the workers died in explosions, and another 7% died from exposure to toxic chemicals.
 
The industries in which the deaths occurred were also studied. The industries with the greatest number of deaths included construction, transportation and agriculture. These industries were followed closely by a large number of reported deaths in government, professional/business and manufacturing. The fewest number of deaths were reported in the industries of financial activities, information and utilities.
 
Occupations were also considered. Fatal work injuries in construction rose for the second year in a row, with a 5% increase from 2011 to 2012. In 2012, some of the occupations with high fatality rates included logging workers, fishing workers and drivers (including truck drivers). Fatal injuries to those working in management declined by 8% to 429. This decline was related to a 19% decrease in fatal injuries to farmers, ranchers and other agricultural managers from 268 in 2011 to 216 in 212.
 
Where are the deaths occurring? The state with the highest number of workplace deaths was Texas, with 433 deaths in 2011 and 531 in 2012. Three other states reported a high incidence of fatal workplace accidents, though at a declining rate, in 2012, with California trending downward from 390 in 2011 to 339 in 2012, Florida declining from 226 in 2011 to 209 in 2012 and New York dropping below 200 deaths from 206 in 2011 to 196 in 2012. Illinois reported 145 workplace deaths in 2012, marking a drop from 177 in 2011.
 
Of course, whenever a fatal injury occurs at work, many factors need to be considered in determining the cause of death. If the family of a deceased worker brings a workers' compensation claim, the incident leading to the worker's demise will need to be very thoroughly investigated and evaluated.

Ellen Keefe-Garner, a registered nurse, is an attorney with Keefe, Campbell, Biery & Associates in Chicago. This column was reprinted with permission from the firm's weekly newsletter.