NATIONAL CENSUS OF FATAL OCCUPATIONAL
INJURIES IN 2005

Technical information: (202) 691-6170 USDL 06-1364
Media information: (202) 691-5902 FOR RELEASE: 10 a.m. EDT
Internet address: http://www.bls.gov/iif/oshcfoi1.htm Thursday, August 10, 2006

A total of 5,702 fatal work injuries were recorded in the United States in 2005, down about 1 percent from the revised total of 5,764 fatal work injuries recorded in 2004. The rate at which fatal work injuries occurred in 2005 was 4.0 per 100,000 workers, down slightly from a rate of 4.1 per 100,000 in 2004.

The Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries has been conducted each year since 1992. The numbers reported in this release are preliminary and will be updated in April 2007.

Key findings of the 2005 Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries:

* Fatal work injuries among workers under 20 years of age were up about 18 percent from the 2004 figure to 166 cases.

* Fatal work injuries involving women in 2005 were down 3 percent to 402 cases-the lowest total ever recorded by the fatality census.

* Fatalities among agricultural workers were up 23 percent from 145 in 2004 to 178 in 2005.

* Fatal work injuries among Hispanic workers increased by 2 percent in 2005 to a new series high, though the fatality rate for Hispanic workers was lower.

* Fatal falls were lower by 7 percent after reaching a series high in 2004.

* While the number of fatal work injuries in private construction continued to be the most of any industry sector, the number of fatalities was 4 percent lower in 2005 than 2004.

* Fatal workplace injuries attributable to hurricanes accounted for 29 fatal work injuries in 2005, though this total may rise as additional cases are identified and verified.

Profile of 2005 fatal work injuries by type of incident

Fatal highway incidents remained the most frequent type of fatal workplace event, accounting for one in every four fatalities nationally in 2005. Fatal highway incidents rose by 2 percent in 2005, accounting for 1,428 worker deaths. Nonhighway incidents (such as those that might occur on a farm or industrial premises) stayed about the same. The number of workers who were killed after being struck by vehicles or mobile equipment rose from 378 in 2004 to 390 in 2005.

The number of fatal work injuries involving aircraft declined 36 percent in 2005 after increasing the previous 2 years. The 147 fatal injuries involving aircraft in 2005 was a series low for the fatality census and 24 percent lower than the lowest previous annual total. Fatalities involving railroad incidents, however, were sharply higher, rising from 50 fatalities in 2004 to 84 in 2005.

The 767 fatal falls recorded in 2005 represented a 7 percent decline from the series high recorded in 2004. Lower numbers of fatal falls from roofs (from 180 in 2004 to 160 in 2005), ladders (from 135 to 129), from stairs or steps (from 27 to 17), and from nonmoving vehicles (from 84 to 74) led to the lower overall total. However, falls on the same level (to a floor or onto or against objects) rose in 2005 (from 61 to 83).

The number of workers who were fatally injured after being struck by objects in 2005 remained at about the same level as in 2004 (604 fatal work injuries in 2005 as compared to 602 in 2004). Fatalities resulting from workers being struck by falling or flying objects rose 5 percent in 2005, though fatalities involving rolling or sliding objects were down 15 percent to 94 fatalities in 2005.

A total of 564 workplace homicides was recorded in 2005 (up from 559 in 2004). However, workplace suicides were sharply lower in 2005, dropping 14 percent to a series low of 177 fatalities.

Fatal work injuries resulting from exposure to harmful substances or environments rose 7 percent in 2005. This overall increase was led by a sharp increase in the number of workers who died after exposure to environmental heat, from 18 fatalities in 2004 to 47 in 2005. Higher numbers of fatal work injuries resulting from the inhalation of caustic, noxious, or allergenic substances also contributed to the overall increase. The number of electrocutions was down slightly in 2005.

Profile of fatal work injuries by industry

Of the 5,702 fatal work injuries recorded in 2005, 5,188 (or 91 percent) occurred in private industry. Service-providing industries in the private sector accounted for 48 percent of all fatal work injuries in 2005, while goods-producing industries accounted for 43 percent. Another 9 percent of the fatal work injuries in 2005 involved government workers.

The private construction industry accounted for 1,186 fatal work injuries, the most of any industry sector and about one out of every five fatal work injuries recorded in 2005. While the total number of construction fatalities was 4 percent lower in 2005, the number of fatalities in residential building construction (NAICS 2361), utility system construction (NAICS 2371), and highway, street, and bridge construction (NAICS 2373) increased. These increases were offset by a substantial decrease in the number of fatalities to specialty trade contractors (NAICS 238) from 759 in 2004 to 675 in 2005, a decline of 11 percent. Roofing contractor fatalities, which fell from 116 in 2004 to 75 in 2005, accounted for almost half of the decrease in the number of specialty trade contractor fatalities.

The 881 fatalities in transportation and warehousing in 2005 represented a 5 percent increase over the 840 cases reported in 2004. Although fewer fatalities were reported for air and water transportation, the 585 truck transportation fatalities, accounting for 10 percent of all work fatalities in 2005, were up 13 percent.

Fatalities were also higher in agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting. Agriculture and mining recorded the highest fatal work injury rates among the major industry sectors in 2005-32.5 fatalities per 100,000 workers for agriculture and 25.6 fatalities per 100,000 workers for mining. Fatalities in the manufacturing sector were lower by 15 percent in 2005.

Led by increases in transportation and warehousing, professional and business services, administrative and support services, retail trade, and information, service-providing industries recorded a slight increase in the number of fatalities.

Profile of fatal work injuries by occupation

Similar to 2004, the combined number of fatalities in two occupational groups (construction and extraction occupations and transportation and material moving occupations) accounted for nearly half of all fatal work injuries in 2005 (48 percent). Transportation and material moving occupations accounted for the highest number of fatalities of any major occupational group (1,543 fatalities, up 2 percent from 2004). Fatalities among motor vehicle operators accounted for 71 percent of all fatal work injuries in this occupational group and were higher by 7 percent in 2005. However, fatalities involving air transportation workers were down 26 percent (from 109 in 2004 to 81 in 2005).

Fatal work injury counts were higher by 4 percent in construction and extraction occupations in 2005 (from 1,138 fatalities in 2004 to 1,180 in 2005), although the fatality rate for this occupational group was slightly lower in 2005 due to increases in employment. Fatal work injuries were higher for construction laborers, carpenters, and construction equipment operators, but substantially lower among both painters (down 46 percent) and roofers (down 44 percent).

Fatal work injuries were significantly higher for farming, forestry, and fishing occupations in 2005. The 324 fatalities in this occupational group represented a 14 percent increase over the total recorded in 2004. The fatality rate for this occupational group rose from 28.1 in 2004 to 31.4 in 2005, and was the highest rate among major occupational groups.

Military fatalities (domestic only-see technical notes) were down sharply in 2005. Fatal work injuries among protective service occupations were also lower in 2005.

Profile of fatal work injuries by demographic characteristics

Fatal work injuries among both male and female workers were down in 2005. The total of 402 fatal work injuries among female workers in 2005 was the lowest annual total ever recorded by the fatality census. The number of fatalities among male workers was down 1 percent from the previous year (from 5,349 in 2004 to 5,300 in 2005).

The number of fatal work injuries among Hispanic or Latino workers reached a series high for the fatality census (917 fatal work injuries), but due to increased employment, the fatality rate for this population was down in 2005. Fatalities involving foreign-born Hispanic workers were also higher in 2005, rising to a series high of 625 fatal work injuries, up from 596 in 2004. Fatalities among black or African American workers rose to 577 fatal work injuries in 2005 from 546 in 2004. Fatalities involving Asians and Native Hawaiians or Pacific Islanders declined from 180 in 2004 to 162 in 2005.

Higher numbers of fatalities were observed for both younger workers (19 years of age and younger) and older workers (55 years of age and older). The number of fatalities among younger workers was up 18 percent (166 fatalities, up from 141 in 2004). Fatal work injuries among workers 55 years of age or older rose to 1,499-a series high for this population-though the fatality rate for older workers was lower.

Fatal work injuries among self-employed workers were down 4 percent from 2004 to 1,134 cases-the second lowest annual count ever reported by the fatality census.

Profile of fatal work injuries by State

Twenty-six States reported lower numbers of fatal work injuries in 2005 than in 2004, 22 States and the District of Columbia reported higher numbers, and two States were unchanged. Four States reported increases of at least 20 percent (Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, and Wisconsin), while five States reported decreases of at least 20 percent (Alaska, Hawaii, Nebraska, New Mexico, and West Virginia).

A total of 29 work-related fatalities were attributable to hurricanes and their aftermath in 2005. Hurricane-related fatalities were concentrated in three States-Mississippi(10 fatalities), Louisiana (8 fatalities), and Florida (8 fatalities). Virtually all of the hurricane-related cases in Mississippi and Louisiana were attributed to Hurricane Katrina, while about half of fatal work injuries attributed to hurricanes in Florida were associated with Hurricane Wilma. Of the 29 cases identified by the fatality census, 9 involved workers who were struck by objects, 8 involved transportation-related incidents, and 5 resulted from falls.

While all data from the fatality census are subject to revision, data on work-related fatalities attributable to hurricanes were especially difficult to collect and verify, and therefore may be subject to a larger than normal revision. The census attempted to identify all fatal work injuries that were both hurricane- and work-related. This included fatalities to public safety, rescue, and repair workers, among others (including volunteers), as well as fatalities during the immediate time period of the storms and those occurring months later. While most of the hurricane-related fatalities occurred in the States most immediately affected, the census identified and included fatalities in other locations as well, such as transportation-related fatalities involving rescue workers. The BLS is grateful to all those who helped compile these data under difficult conditions and circumstances.

Background of the program

The Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, part of the BLS occupational safety and health statistics program, compiles a count of all fatal work injuries occurring in the U.S. in each calendar year. The program uses diverse State and Federal data sources to identify, verify, and profile fatal work injuries. Information about each workplace fatality (industry, occupation, and other worker characteristics; equipment being used; and circumstances of the event) is obtained by cross-referencing source documents, such as death certificates, workers’ compensation records, and reports to Federal and State agencies. This method assures counts are as complete and accurate as possible. For the 2005 data, over 20,000 unique source documents were reviewed as part of the data collection process.

This is the 14th year that the fatality census has been conducted in all 50 States and the District of Columbia. The BLS fatality census is a Federal/State cooperative program in which costs are shared equally.

Another BLS program, the Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, presents frequency counts and incidence rates by industry and also profiles worker and case characteristics of nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses that result in lost work time. Copies of the news releases on nonfatal injuries and illnesses in 2004 are available from BLS by calling (202) 691-6170 or by accessing the website listed below. Incidence rates for 2005 by industry will be published in October 2006, and information on 2005 worker and case characteristics will be available November 2006. For additional data, access the BLS Internet site: http://www.bls.gov/iif/.....

(Tables omitted)

....TECHNICAL NOTES

Definitions

For a fatality to be included in the census, the decedent must have been employed (that is working for pay, compensation, or profit) at the time of the event, engaged in a legal work activity, or present at the site of the incident as a requirement of his or her job. These criteria are generally broader than those used by Federal and State agencies administering specific laws and regulations. (Fatalities that occur during a person's normal commute to or from work are excluded from the census counts.)

Data presented in this release include deaths occurring in 2005 that resulted from traumatic occupational injuries. An injury is defined as any intentional or unintentional wound or damage to the body resulting from acute exposure to energy, such as heat, electricity, or kinetic energy from a crash, or from the absence of such essentials as heat or oxygen caused by a specific event, incident, or series of events within a single workday or shift. Included are open wounds, intracranial and internal injuries, heatstroke, hypothermia, asphyxiation, acute poisonings resulting from short-term exposures limited to the worker's shift, suicides and homicides, and work injuries listed as underlying or contributory causes of death.

Information on work-related fatal illnesses is not reported in the BLS census and is excluded from the attached tables because the latency period of many occupational illnesses and the difficulty of linking illnesses to work exposures make identification of a universe problematic.

Measurement techniques and limitations

Data for the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries are compiled from various Federal, State, and local administrative sources-including death certificates, workers' compensation reports and claims, reports to various regulatory agencies, medical examiner reports, and police reports-as well as news and other non-governmental reports. Diverse sources are used because studies have shown that no single source captures all job-related fatalities. Source documents are matched so that each fatality is counted only once. To ensure that a fatality occurred while the decedent was at work, information is verified from two or more independent source documents or from a source document and a follow-up questionnaire. Approximately 30 data elements are collected, coded, and tabulated, including information about the worker, the fatal incident, and the machinery or equipment involved.

Identification and verification of work-related fatalities

In 2005, there were 73 cases included for which work relationship could not be independently verified; however, the information on the initiating source document for these cases was sufficient to determine that the incident was likely to be job-related. Data for these fatalities are included in the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries counts. An additional 21 fatalities submitted by States were not included because the source documents had insufficient information to determine work relationship and could not be verified by either an independent source document or a follow-up questionnaire.

States may identify additional fatal work injuries after data collection closeout for a reference year. In addition, other fatalities excluded from the published count because of insufficient information to determine work relationship may subsequently be verified as work related. States have up to seven months to update their initial published State counts. This procedure ensures that fatality data are disseminated as quickly as possible and that legitimate cases are not excluded from the counts. Thus, each year's report should be considered preliminary until final data are issued. Over the last 5 years, increases in the published counts based on additional information have averaged fewer than 22 fatalities per year or less than 0.5 percent of the revised total. The BLS news release issued August 25, 2005, reported a total of 5,703 fatal work injuries for 2004. Since then, an additional 61 fatal work injuries were identified, bringing the total for 2004 to 5,764. Revised counts for 2005 will be available in April 2007.

Federal/State agency coverage

The Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries includes data for all fatal work injuries, whether the decedent was working in a job covered by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) or other Federal or State agencies or was outside the scope of regulatory coverage. Thus, any comparison between the BLS fatality census counts and those released by other agencies should take into account the different coverage requirements and definitions being used by each agency.

Several Federal and State agencies have jurisdiction over workplace safety and health. OSHA and affiliated agencies in States with approved safety programs cover the largest portion of the nation's workers. However, injuries and illnesses occurring in certain industries or activities, such as coal, metal, and nonmetal mining and highway, water, rail, and air transportation, are excluded from OSHA coverage because they are covered by other Federal agencies, such as the Mine Safety and Health Administration and various agencies within the Department of Transportation.

Fatalities occurring among several other groups of workers are generally not covered by any Federal or State agencies. These groups include self-employed and unpaid family workers, which accounted for about 20 percent of the fatalities; laborers on small farms, accounting for about 1 percent of the fatalities; and State and local government employees in States without OSHA-approved safety programs, which accounted for about 4 percent. (Approximately one-half of the States have approved OSHA safety programs, which cover State and local government employees.)

Acknowledgements

BLS thanks the participating States, New York City, and the District of Columbia for their efforts in collecting accurate, comprehensive, and useful data on fatal work injuries. BLS also appreciates the efforts of all Federal, State, local, and private sector agencies that submitted source documents used to identify fatal work injuries. Among these agencies are the Occupational Safety and Health Administration; the National Transportation Safety Board; the U.S. Coast Guard; the Mine Safety and Health Administration; the Employment Standards Administration (Federal Employees' Compensation and Longshore and Harbor Workers' divisions); the Department of Energy; State vital statistics registrars, coroners, and medical examiners; State departments of health, labor and industries, and workers' compensation agencies; State and local police departments; and State farm bureaus.

Source: BLS National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries In 2005

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Last updated December 1, 2006