Dying For Work – Fatality Trends In The Workplace

Even though the actual number of workplace fatalities is on the rise, the rate is actually falling slightly from a statistical standpoint.

By, Robert Box

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released worker fatality data for the year 2015 earlier this month, revealing an increase in on-the-job fatalities –more fatalities than the previous six years.

The new report reveals some interesting stats, including: 

• Total Number of Fatalities On the Rise 

The total number of workplace fatalities rose to the highest level, 4,836 deaths since 2008. Even though the actual number of workplace fatalities is on the rise, the rate is actually falling slightly from a statistical standpoint.

The rate of worker fatalities is measured by BLS is in fatalities per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers. That rate receded slightly from 3.43 in 2014 to 3.38 in 2015, and that rate has continued to steadily fall for 10 years and counting.

• What’s the Deal with Men?

 Men accounted for 57 percent of the hours worked in 2015, yet accounted for 93% of all work-related fatalities.  As for workplace violence, 43 percent of female decedents were fatally assaulted by a relative or domestic partner vs. 2 percent of males suffering a similar fate.

• Transportation Deaths

Forty-two percent of all fatalities in 2015 resulted from transportation-related incidents, accounting for 2,054 work-related deaths. 

More professional drivers of heavy trucks and 18-wheelers died while working than any other civilian occupation (745), making it the most fatally hazardous occupation in 2015.

Roadway incidents in general rose by 9 percent in 2015, accounting for over twenty-five percent of the fatal occupational injuries (1,264).

• Senior Citizens Lead the Way

Even though workers 45 years-old and older represented 58 percent of workplace fatalities in 2015, they only accounted for 45 percent of the total hours worked overall.  Seniors 65 years old and older accounted for the highest rate of work-related fatalities (9.4 per 100,000 Full-Time Employees workers).

• Construction Alert

The private construction industry saw 937 work-related fatalities in 2015 represented the highest total since 975 cases in 2008. 

Safety First Consulting is a contributor of SM Corridor News and helps businesses identify OSHA compliance issues in their workplaces, manage their safety programs, and we become accountable for the results.  In addition to offering custom written safety programs for companies, Safety First Consulting provides required safety training, industrial hygiene sampling, noise sampling, and workplace inspections. You can read more from Robert Box under Business.