News
United States
Department
of Labor
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Washington, D.C. 20212
Technical information:
(202) 691-6170
Media information:
(202) 691-5902
Internet address: http://www.bls.gov/iif/oshcfoi1.htm
USDL 07-1202
FOR RELEASE: 10 a.m. EDT
Thursday, August 9, 2007
NATIONAL CENSUS OF FATAL OCCUPATIONAL INJURIES IN 2006
There were 5,703 fatal work injuries in the United States in 2006, down slightly from the
revised total of 5,734 fatalities in 2005. The rate of fatal work injuries in 2006 was 3.9 per
100,000 workers, down from a rate of 4.0 per 100,000 in 2005. The numbers reported in this
release are preliminary and will be updated in April 2008.
Key findings of the 2006 Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries:
-
The overall fatal work injury rate for the U.S. in 2006 was lower than the rate for any
year since the fatality census was first conducted in 1992.
Coal mining industry fatalities more than doubled in 2006, due to the Sago Mine disaster
and other multiple-fatality coal mining incidents.
The number of workplace homicides in 2006 was a series low and reflected a decline of
over 50 percent from the high reported in 1994.
Fatalities among workers under 25 years of age fell 9 percent, and the rate of fatal injury
among these workers was down significantly.
The 937 fatal work injuries involving Hispanic or Latino workers in 2006 was a series
high, but the overall fatality rate for Hispanic or Latino workers was lower than in 2005.
Fatalities among self-employed workers declined 11 percent and reached a series
low in 2006.
Aircraft-related fatalities were up 44 percent, led by a number of multiple-fatality events
including the August 2006 Comair crash.
Profile of 2006 fatal work injuries by type of incident
While fatal highway incidents remained the most frequent type of fatal work-related
event, accounting for nearly one out of four fatal work injuries, the number of highway incidents
fell 8 percent in 2006. The 1,329 fatal highway incidents in 2006 was the lowest annual total
since 1993. Nonhighway incidents (such as those that might occur on a farm or industrial
premises) remained at about the same level in 2006. Work-related pedestrian fatalities were
lower.
Aircraft–related fatalities increased sharply in 2006 after declining in 2005. The 215
fatalities involving aircraft in 2006 represented a 44 percent increase over the 149 in 2005.
Overall, there were 44 multiple-fatality aircraft incidents claiming 137 workers in 2006,
1
including one (the August 2006 Comair crash) that resulted in 23 fatalities. The annual number
of aircraft fatalities tends to be volatile and has ranged from a high of 426 fatalities in 1994 to a
low of 149 in 2005.
Fatal work injuries involving falls increased 5 percent in 2006 after a sharp decrease in
2005. The 809 fatal falls in 2006 was the third highest total since 1992, when the fatality census
began. Fatal falls from roofs increased from 160 fatalities in 2005 to 184 in 2006, a rise of
15 percent.
Four most frequent work-related fatal events, 1992–2006
Number of fatalities
1,600
1,442
1,343 1,346
1,400
1,346
1,398
1,409
1,393
1,437
1,496
1,242
1,365
1,158
1,373
1,353
1,329 (p)
1,200
1,074
1,000
1,080
1,036
927
1,044
860
810
734
800
600
618
665
651
691
716
721
706 651
565
590
547
582 579
520
770 809 (p)
602
607 583 (p)
559
567
696
643
600
557
714
822
719
677
609
632
585
571
553
400
505
531
516 (p)
1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
Highway incidents
Homicides
Falls
Struck by object
p = Preliminary
NOTE: Data from 2001 exclude fatalities resulting from the September 11 terrorist attacks.
SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, 2007
Workplace homicides decreased 9 percent to 516 in 2006, the lowest annual total ever
reported by the fatality census. Overall, workplace homicides have decreased more than
50 percent from the series high in 1994.
The number of workers who were fatally injured from being struck by objects was lower
in 2006, after increasing for the last three years. The 583 fatalities resulting from being struck by
objects in 2006 represented a 4 percent decline from the 2005 total.
Fatalities involving fires and explosions increased by 26 percent in 2006, rising from 159
in 2005 to 201 in 2006. Fatalities resulting from exposure to harmful substances or
environments were also higher in 2006, led by a 12 percent increase in exposure to caustic,
noxious, or allergenic substances (from 136 in 2005 to 153 in 2006).
Profile of fatal work injuries by demographic characteristics
Fatal work injuries involving female workers increased 5 percent in 2006 after declining
the past two years. Despite the increase, the 428 fatal work injuries involving female workers
was the third lowest annual total for female workers in the 15 years of the fatality census. The
number and rate of fatal injury among male workers were both lower in 2006.
2
The 937 fatal work injuries among Hispanic or Latino workers in 2006 was up from the
923 fatal work injuries in 2005 and represented the largest annual total since the fatality census
began in 1992. Due to increased employment, however, the fatality rate for Hispanic or Latino
workers was lower (4.7 fatalities per 100,000 workers in 2006 versus 4.9 per 100,000 in 2005).
Among foreign-born Hispanic or Latino workers, fatalities decreased slightly after reaching a
series high in 2005. Fatalities among White workers, Black or African-American workers, and
Asian, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander workers were all lower.
The number of fatal work injuries among workers younger than 25 years of age decreased
9 percent (516 in 2006 versus 568 in 2005). Fatality rates were also lower, especially for
workers 16 to 17 years of age, whose fatality rates declined 40 percent. Fatal work injuries
among workers 55 years of age or older were slightly higher in 2006, but the fatality rate for this
group of workers was lower, reflecting the growing number of older workers in the workforce.
Fatalities among self-employed workers were down for the second straight year and
represented the lowest annual total in the history of the fatality census. The rate of fatal injury
among self-employed workers fell to 9.4 fatalities per 100,000 workers, down from 10.7 per
100,000 in 2005. Fatalities among wage and salary workers rose 2 percent in 2006, but the rate
of fatal injury for wage and salary workers was unchanged from 2005.
Profiles of fatal injuries by industry
Of the 5,703 fatal work injuries in 2006, 5,202 occurred in private industry. Serviceproviding industries in the private sector accounted for 47 percent (2,693 fatalities), while private
goods-producing industries accounted for 44 percent (2,509 fatalities). Government workers
accounted for 9 percent (501) of fatalities in 2006. The fatality rate for goods-producing
industries was unchanged in 2006, while the fatality rate for service-providing industries and for
government were both lower in 2006.
Construction accounted for 1,226 fatal work injuries, the most of any industry sector.
The total for construction represented an increase of 3 percent over the 2005 total. Fatalities
among specialty trade contractors rose 6 percent (from 677 fatalities in 2005 to 721 in 2006), due
primarily to higher numbers of fatal work injuries among building finishing contractors and
roofing contractors. Fatalities in building construction and in heavy and civil engineering
construction decreased in 2006.
Transportation and warehousing fatalities decreased from 885 in 2005 to 832 in 2006, a
6 percent decline. The decrease was due in large part to a sharp decline in fatal injuries in
general freight trucking. Rail and water transportation fatalities were also lower, but air
transportation fatalities rose sharply.
Mining fatalities increased 19 percent in 2006. Fatal work injuries in coal mining more
than doubled in 2006 due in part to the Sago mine disaster and other mining incidents. A total of
47 coal mining fatalities were recorded in 2006, up from 22 in 2005, due in part to 4 multiplefatality incidents in coal mining in 2006, claiming a total of 21 workers. The fatality rate for coal
3
mining jumped 84 percent in 2006 to 49.5 fatalities per 100,000 workers, up from 26.8 in 2005.
Oil and gas extraction fatalities were also higher in 2006.
Fatalities in the agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting sector decreased 10 percent in
2006, and the rate of fatal injury dropped from 32.5 per 100,000 in 2005 to 29.6 per 100,000 in
2006. Crop production, which reported the highest number of fatalities in agriculture, had
14 percent fewer fatal work injuries in 2006 than in 2005. The rate of fatal injury in crop
production fell from 38.2 in 2005 to 33.0 in 2006.
Number and rate of fatal occupational injuries, by industry sector, 2006
Construction
1,226
10.8
832
Transportation and warehousing
Agriculture, forestry,
fishing, and hunting
16.3
29.6
646
Government
2.3
501
3.1
449
Professional and business services
2.7
447
Manufacturing
351
Retail trade
217
Wholesale trade
Mining
2.2
252
Leisure and hospitality
Other services (exc. public admin.)
2.1
Total fatalities = 5,703
4.8
27.8
190
All worker fatality rate = 3.9
2.5
175
Educational and health services
0.9
172
1.9
64
Information
52
Utilities
1,500
1.2
122
Financial activities
1,250
1,000
750
500
Number of fatalities
250
6.2
0
10
20
30
40
Fatality rate (per 100,000 employed)
SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, 2007
Manufacturing fatalities were up 14 percent in 2006. The fatality rate in manufacturing
rose from 2.4 fatalities per 100,000 manufacturing workers in 2005 to 2.7 per 100,000 in 2006,
an increase of 13 percent.
Fatalities in wholesale trade also increased, while fatalities in retail trade decreased
12 percent. The decline in retail trade fatalities was led by a drop of close to 25 percent in both
the rate and number of fatalities in the food and beverage stores industry. Homicides in retail
trade decreased 25 percent in 2006 (from 184 in 2005 to 138 in 2006).
The number of fatal injuries in professional and business services decreased 7 percent in
2006, and the rate of fatal injury was also lower. However, the number and rate of fatal injury in
both educational and health services and in leisure and hospitality services were higher.
Overall, fatal work injuries decreased 4 percent among government workers. The rate of
fatal injury was lower for local government workers in 2006, but higher for federal government
workers. The rate for State government remained about the same as in 2005.
4
Profile of fatal work injuries by occupation
Two occupational groups (construction and extraction occupations and transportation and
material moving occupations) together accounted for nearly half of all fatal work injuries in 2006
(48 percent).
Construction and extraction worker fatalities rose 6 percent in 2006 (from 1,184 in 2005
to 1,258 in 2006), though the rate of 13.2 per 100,000 in 2006 was not significantly higher than
the rate in 2005. Construction laborers accounted for the highest number of fatal work injuries
among construction and extraction occupations, accounting for 360 fatal work injuries, up
5 percent from 2005. Fatalities among electricians, roofers, painters, and drywall and ceiling tile
installers also rose. Fatalities decreased among carpenters, construction trade helpers, and
among plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters.
Selected occupations with high fatality rates, 2006
Fishers and related
fishing workers
141.7
Aircraft pilots and flight
engineers
51
87.8
Total fatalities = 5,703
101
All worker fatality rate = 3.9
Logging workers
64
82.1
Structural iron and steel
workers
Refuse and recyclable material
collectors
36
61.0
38
41.8
Farmers and ranchers
37.1
Electrical power-line installers
and repairers
34.9
Roofers
291
38
33.9
82
940
Driver/sales workers and
truck drivers
27.1
Miscellaneous agricultural
workers
158
21.7
150
100
50
0
Fatality rate (per 100,000 employed)
200
400
600
800
1,000
Number of fatalities
SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, 2007
Transportation and material moving worker fatalities decreased 6 percent in 2006,
primarily as a result of a 7 percent decline in motor vehicle operator fatalities (from 1,100 in
2005 to 1,021 in 2006). The overall fatality rate for transportation and material moving
occupations decreased 8 percent in 2006 to 16.5 per 100,000 workers. Fatalities among air
transportation workers rose by 22 percent in 2006, but fatalities decreased among rail
transportation, water transportation, and material moving workers.
Farming, fishing, and forestry worker fatalities decreased 11 percent in 2006, from 325 in
2005 to 289 in 2006, though the fatality rate was not significantly lower. Fatalities were lower
among agricultural workers and among forest conservation and logging workers, but slightly
higher among fishing and related fishing workers, such as captains and mates.
Fatalities in protective service occupations increased 6 percent in 2006, led by a rise in
fire fighter fatalities (from 28 fatalities in 2005 to 42 in 2006). There were fewer work-related
5
fatalities among law enforcement workers in 2006 as compared to 2005. Military fatalities
(domestic only) were slightly higher in 2006.
Profile of fatal work injuries by state
Twenty-seven States reported higher numbers of fatalities in 2006, and 23 States and the
District of Columbia had lower totals. Texas recorded the highest number of fatalities of any
State (486), followed by California (448), and Florida (355). Twelve States reported increases of
20 percent or more (Alaska, Delaware, Hawaii, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Nebraska, New
Mexico, North Dakota, Rhode Island, Vermont, and West Virginia). Seven states (Alabama,
Iowa, New Hampshire, New Jersey, South Carolina, Wisconsin, and Wyoming) and the District
of Columbia recorded declines of 20 percent or more.
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
describe 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, news accounts, and reports to Federal and State agencies. This method
assures counts are as complete and accurate as possible. For the 2006 data, over 21,000 unique
source documents were reviewed as part of the data collection process.
This is the 15th 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. Additional State-specific data are available from the participating State
agencies listed in Table 6.
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 days away from work.
Copies of the news releases on nonfatal injuries and illnesses in 2005 are available from BLS by
calling (202) 691-6170 or by accessing the website listed below. Incidence rates for 2006 by
industry will be published in October 2007, and information on 2006 worker and case
characteristics will be available in November 2007. For additional data, access the BLS Internet
site: http://www.bls.gov/iif/.
6
Table 1. Fatal occupational injuries by event or exposure, 2001-2006
Fatalities
Event or exposure1
2001-2005
average
20052
2006
Number
Percent
Total .................................................................................................
5,704
5,734
5,703
100
Transportation incidents ..................................................................
Highway ...........................................................................................
Collision between vehicles, mobile equipment ............................
Moving in same direction .........................................................
Moving in opposite directions, oncoming .................................
Moving in intersection ..............................................................
Vehicle struck stationary object or equipment in roadway ...........
Vehicle struck stationary object, equipment on side of road .......
Noncollision .................................................................................
Jack-knifed or overturned-no collision .....................................
Nonhighway (farm, industrial premises) ..........................................
Overturned ...............................................................................
Worker struck by a vehicle ..............................................................
Rail vehicle ......................................................................................
Water vehicle ...................................................................................
Aircraft .............................................................................................
2,451
1,394
686
151
254
137
27
310
335
274
335
175
369
60
82
206
2,493
1,437
718
175
265
134
27
345
318
273
340
182
391
83
88
149
2,413
1,329
644
152
234
138
19
337
297
248
342
165
372
65
89
215
42
23
11
3
4
2
3
( )
6
5
4
6
3
7
1
2
4
Assaults and violent acts .................................................................
Homicides ........................................................................................
Shooting ......................................................................................
Stabbing ......................................................................................
Self-inflicted injuries .........................................................................
850
602
465
60
207
792
567
441
60
180
754
516
417
38
199
13
9
7
1
3
Contact with objects and equipment ...............................................
Struck by object ...............................................................................
Struck by falling object .................................................................
Struck by flying object ..................................................................
Caught in or compressed by equipment or objects .........................
Caught in running equipment or machinery .................................
Caught in or crushed in collapsing materials ...................................
952
560
345
50
256
128
118
1,005
607
385
53
278
121
109
983
583
378
69
281
148
107
17
10
7
1
5
3
2
Falls ....................................................................................................
Fall to lower level .............................................................................
Fall from ladder ............................................................................
Fall from roof ...............................................................................
Fall from scaffold, staging ............................................................
Fall on same level ............................................................................
763
669
125
154
87
73
770
664
129
160
82
84
809
728
129
184
88
59
14
13
2
3
2
1
Exposure to harmful substances or environments ........................
Contact with electric current ............................................................
Contact with overhead power lines ..............................................
Contact with temperature extremes .................................................
Exposure to caustic, noxious, or allergenic substances ..................
Inhalation of substance ................................................................
Oxygen deficiency ...........................................................................
Drowning, submersion .................................................................
498
265
118
44
114
56
74
54
501
251
112
55
136
66
59
48
525
247
108
53
153
58
64
50
9
4
2
1
3
1
1
1
Fires and explosions .........................................................................
174
159
201
4
1 Based on the 1992 BLS Occupational Injury and Illness Classification Manual. Includes other events and
exposures, such as bodily reaction, in addition to those shown separately.
2 The BLS news release issued August 10, 2006, reported a total of 5,702 fatal work injuries for calendar year 2005.
Since then, an additional 32 job-related fatalities were identified, bringing the total job-related fatality count for 2005 to
5,734.
3 Less than or equal to 0.5 percent.
NOTE: Totals for 2006 are preliminary. Totals for major categories may include subcategories not shown separately.
The average count excludes fatalities from the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Percentages may not add to totals
because of rounding.
SOURCE: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, in cooperation with State, New York City, District of
Columbia, and Federal agencies, Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries
7
Table 2. Fatal occupational injuries by industry and selected event or exposure, 2006
Selected event or exposure2
(percent of total for industry)
Fatalities
Industry1
Number
Percent
Highway3
Homicides
Falls
Struck by
object
Total .............................................................................................
5,703
100
23
9
14
10
Private industry ...............................................................................
5,202
91
22
8
15
11
Goods producing ...........................................................................
2,509
44
13
1
21
14
4
3
4
5
3
7
35
35
45
9
40
13
13
8
19
9
14
–
24
–
14
20
21
17
18
55
–
–
18
–
7
26
10
10
9
13
9
14
14
–
25
–
15
25
24
21
16
Natural resources and mining ....................................................
Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting .....................................
Crop production .......................................................................
Animal production ....................................................................
Forestry and logging ................................................................
Fishing, hunting and trapping ..................................................
Agriculture and forestry support activities ................................
Mining5 ........................................................................................
Oil and gas extraction ..............................................................
Mining, except oil and gas .......................................................
Support activities for mining ....................................................
Construction ................................................................................
Construction ................................................................................
Construction of buildings .........................................................
Heavy and civil engineering construction ................................
Specialty trade contractors ......................................................
Manufacturing ..............................................................................
Manufacturing ..............................................................................
Food manufacturing .................................................................
Wood product manufacturing ..................................................
Chemical manufacturing ..........................................................
Nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing ............................
Primary metal manufacturing ...................................................
Fabricated metal product manufacturing .................................
Machinery manufacturing ........................................................
Transportation equipment manufacturing ................................
836
646
303
150
99
47
41
190
21
67
102
1,226
1,226
218
224
721
447
447
59
36
32
59
36
46
33
51
15
11
5
3
2
1
1
3
4
( )
1
2
21
21
4
4
13
8
8
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
13
12
12
8
20
–
17
16
19
–
23
12
12
10
15
11
13
13
29
8
–
25
–
7
12
–
(4)
(4)
1
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
1
1
3
–
1
3
3
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
8
Service providing ..........................................................................
2,693
47
32
15
9
8
Trade, transportation, and utilities ............................................
Wholesale trade ...........................................................................
Merchant wholesalers, durable goods .....................................
Merchant wholesalers, nondurable goods ...............................
Retail trade ..................................................................................
Motor vehicle and parts dealers ..............................................
Building material and garden supply stores .............................
Food and beverage stores .......................................................
Gasoline stations .....................................................................
General merchandise stores ...................................................
Miscellaneous store retailers ...................................................
Transportation and warehousing .................................................
Air transportation .....................................................................
Truck transportation .................................................................
Transit and ground passenger transportation ..........................
Support activities for transportation .........................................
Couriers and messengers .......................................................
Utilities .........................................................................................
Information ...................................................................................
Information ...................................................................................
Publishing industries, except Internet ......................................
Financial activities .......................................................................
Finance and insurance ................................................................
Credit intermediation and related activities ..............................
Real estate and rental and leasing ..............................................
Real estate ..............................................................................
Rental and leasing services .....................................................
Professional and business services ..........................................
Professional and technical services ............................................
Professional and technical services ........................................
Administrative and waste services ..............................................
Administrative and support services ........................................
Waste management and remediation services .......................
1,452
217
107
102
351
69
40
79
51
25
21
832
51
537
57
81
41
52
64
64
27
122
44
21
78
55
23
449
78
78
371
294
77
25
4
2
2
6
1
1
1
1
(4)
(4)
15
1
9
1
1
1
1
1
1
(4)
2
1
4
( )
1
1
4
( )
8
1
1
7
5
1
42
36
29
43
21
42
20
4
10
20
29
55
–
71
37
20
66
17
44
44
67
16
23
33
12
5
26
21
17
17
22
16
42
12
2
4
–
39
9
10
75
76
28
24
4
–
1
49
–
7
–
–
–
–
24
25
33
23
25
17
7
14
14
6
7
–
6
11
7
15
9
6
22
8
–
20
–
3
–
3
–
–
–
15
14
14
–
13
11
–
14
20
–
19
12
12
20
24
6
7
15
26
5
5
9
18
–
–
–
–
6
–
5
–
22
7
12
5
5
–
3
–
–
5
7
–
11
4
4
13
14
8
See footnotes at end of table.
8
–
–
5
–
–
Table 2. Fatal occupational injuries by industry and selected event or exposure, 2006 — Continued
Selected event or exposure2
(percent of total for industry)
Fatalities
Industry1
Number
Percent
Highway3
Homicides
Falls
Struck by
object
Educational and health services ................................................
Educational services ....................................................................
Educational services ................................................................
Health care and social assistance ...............................................
Ambulatory health care services .............................................
Hospitals ..................................................................................
Nursing and residential care facilities ......................................
Social assistance .....................................................................
Leisure and hospitality ...............................................................
Arts, entertainment, and recreation .............................................
Performing arts and spectator sports ......................................
Amusements, gambling, and recreation .................................
Accommodation and food services ..............................................
Accommodation .......................................................................
Food services and drinking places ..........................................
Other services, except public administration ...........................
Other services, except public administration ...............................
Repair and maintenance .........................................................
Personal and laundry services ................................................
Membership associations and organizations ...........................
172
49
49
123
55
20
22
24
252
79
44
31
173
38
135
175
175
110
27
32
3
1
1
2
1
4
( )
4
( )
(4)
4
1
1
1
3
1
2
3
3
2
4
( )
1
27
18
18
30
36
25
14
29
9
6
–
–
10
8
11
14
14
9
22
25
15
–
–
20
18
–
32
21
43
19
9
35
54
13
65
17
17
17
30
–
8
10
10
7
–
–
27
–
9
9
14
–
9
24
5
12
12
6
–
34
2
Government6 ...................................................................................
501
9
32
15
8
4
Federal government ........................................................................
Public administration ...................................................................
National security and international affairs ................................
State government ............................................................................
Public administration ...................................................................
Justice, public order, and safety activities ...............................
Local government ............................................................................
Public administration ...................................................................
Justice, public order, and safety activities ...............................
111
65
52
109
57
36
272
162
147
2
1
1
2
1
1
5
3
3
28
23
25
44
49
42
29
33
33
10
–
–
11
12
19
19
28
30
11
8
6
6
5
–
7
2
–
7
12
13
4
–
–
3
–
–
–
–
3
–
–
–
–
3
6
7
–
–
–
–
19
19
27
–
–
1 Based on the North American Industry Classification System, 2002.
2 The figure shown is the percent of the total fatalities for that industry group.
3 "Highway" includes deaths to vehicle occupants resulting from traffic incidents that occur on the public roadway, shoulder, or surrounding
area. It excludes incidents occurring entirely off the roadway, such as in parking lots and on farms; incidents involving trains; and deaths to
pedestrians or other nonpassengers.
4 Less than or equal to 0.5 percent.
5 Includes fatalities at all establishments categorized as Mining (Sector 21) in the North American Industry Classification System, 2002,
including establishments not governed by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) rules and reporting, such as those in Oil and Gas
Extraction.
6 Includes fatalities to workers employed by governmental organizations regardless of industry.
NOTE: Totals for 2006 are preliminary. Totals for major categories may include subcategories not shown separately. Percentages may not
add to totals because of rounding. Dashes indicate no data reported or data that do not meet publication criteria.
There were 8 fatalities for which there was insufficient information to determine a specific industry classification, although a distinction between
private and government was made for each.
SOURCE: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, in cooperation with State, New York City, District of Columbia, and Federal
agencies, Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries
9
Table 3. Fatal occupational injuries by occupation and selected event or exposure, 2006
Selected event or exposure2
(percent of total for occupation)
Fatalities
Occupation1
Number
Percent
Highway3
Total .................................................................................................
5,703
100
23
Management occupations ................................................................
Top executives ................................................................................
Advertising, marketing, promotions, public relations, and sales
managers .......................................................................................
Operations specialties managers ....................................................
Other management occupations .....................................................
Business and financial operations occupations ............................
Business operations specialists .......................................................
Financial specialists .........................................................................
Computer and mathematical occupations ......................................
Computer specialists .......................................................................
Architecture and engineering occupations ....................................
Architects, surveyors, and cartographers ........................................
Engineers ........................................................................................
Drafters, engineering, and mapping technicians .............................
Life, physical, and social science occupations ..............................
Physical scientists ...........................................................................
Social scientists and related workers ..............................................
Life, physical, and social science technicians .................................
Community and social services occupations .................................
Counselors, social workers, and other community and social
service specialists ..........................................................................
Religious workers ............................................................................
Legal occupations .............................................................................
Lawyers, judges, and related workers .............................................
Education, training, and library occupations .................................
Primary, secondary, and special education school teachers ...........
Other teachers and instructors ........................................................
Other education, training, and library occupations ..........................
Arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media occupations .......
Art and design workers ....................................................................
Entertainers and performers, sports and related workers ...............
Media and communication workers .................................................
Media and communication equipment workers ...............................
Healthcare practitioners and technical occupations .....................
Health diagnosing and treating practitioners ...................................
Health technologists and technicians ..............................................
Healthcare support occupations ......................................................
Nursing, psychiatric, and home health aides ...................................
Other healthcare support occupations .............................................
Protective service occupations ........................................................
First-line supervisors managers, protective service workers ...........
Fire fighting and prevention workers ...............................................
Law enforcement workers ...............................................................
Other protective service workers .....................................................
Food preparation and serving related occupations .......................
Supervisors, food preparation and serving workers ........................
Cooks and food preparation workers ...............................................
Food and beverage serving workers ...............................................
Other food preparation and serving related workers .......................
Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations ...
Supervisors, building and grounds cleaning and maintenance
workers ..........................................................................................
Building cleaning and pest control workers .....................................
Grounds maintenance workers ........................................................
Personal care and service occupations ..........................................
Supervisors, personal care and service workers .............................
Animal care and service workers .....................................................
Entertainment attendants and related workers ................................
Personal appearance workers .........................................................
Transportation, tourism, and lodging attendants .............................
Other personal care and service workers ........................................
Sales and related occupations .........................................................
Supervisors, sales workers ..............................................................
Retail sales workers ........................................................................
Sales representatives, services .......................................................
543
25
10
(4)
11
32
12
29
477
38
23
15
16
15
54
14
29
11
25
7
5
11
31
(4)
1
8
1
4
( )
4
( )
(4)
(4)
1
(4)
1
(4)
4
( )
(4)
(4)
(4)
1
19
12
11
9
23
11
6
5
45
4
26
5
10
54
41
13
20
17
3
274
21
44
131
78
78
26
14
28
10
277
36
74
167
56
5
13
8
6
5
19
308
132
99
23
See footnotes at end of table.
10
Homicides
9
Falls
Struck by
object
14
10
9
–
9
–
13
–
50
10
9
26
35
–
19
20
26
–
24
45
16
–
–
–
55
–
–
10
13
13
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
23
–
21
8
18
17
20
25
20
19
21
21
–
20
–
–
–
10
–
–
14
–
–
–
–
–
6
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
(4)
(4)
(4)
(4)
(4)
(4)
(4)
(4)
1
(4)
(4)
(4)
(4)
1
1
(4)
(4)
(4)
(4)
5
(4)
1
2
1
1
(4)
(4)
(4)
(4)
5
58
50
–
–
30
27
–
–
9
–
–
60
–
28
22
46
40
41
–
27
24
20
40
12
9
–
–
–
60
11
21
25
45
44
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
19
22
–
15
18
–
33
19
–
38
46
54
73
36
57
–
5
–
–
–
–
22
27
–
–
11
–
19
–
–
–
–
–
15
–
–
1
–
–
–
4
10
–
–
18
–
29
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
2
–
–
–
–
–
–
14
1
1
3
1
4
( )
(4)
(4)
(4)
(4)
(4)
5
2
2
4
( )
25
14
7
11
–
–
–
–
–
16
20
11
13
48
–
11
2
21
80
–
–
67
–
–
48
52
70
22
17
39
27
11
–
–
–
–
–
16
6
5
5
17
–
–
22
5
–
–
–
–
–
–
3
5
–
–
2
–
–
Table 3. Fatal occupational injuries by occupation and selected event or exposure, 2006 — Continued
Selected event or exposure2
(percent of total for occupation)
Fatalities
Occupation1
Number
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing .....................
Other sales and related workers ......................................................
Office and administrative support occupations .............................
Supervisors, office and administrative support workers ..................
Financial clerks ................................................................................
Information and record clerks ..........................................................
Material recording, scheduling, dispatching, and distributing
workers ..........................................................................................
Secretaries and administrative assistants .......................................
Other office and administrative support workers .............................
Farming, fishing, and forestry occupations ....................................
Supervisors, farming, fishing, and forestry workers .........................
Agricultural workers .........................................................................
Fishing and hunting workers ............................................................
Forest, conservation, and logging workers ......................................
Construction and extraction occupations ......................................
Supervisors, construction and extraction workers ...........................
Construction trades workers ............................................................
Helpers, construction trades ............................................................
Other construction and related workers ...........................................
Extraction workers ...........................................................................
Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations ........................
Supervisors of installation, maintenance, and repair workers .........
Electrical and electronic equipment mechanics, installers, and
repairers ........................................................................................
Vehicle and mobile equipment mechanics, installers, and repairers
Other installation, maintenance, and repair occupations .................
Production occupations ...................................................................
Supervisors, production workers .....................................................
Assemblers and fabricators .............................................................
Food processing workers ................................................................
Metal workers and plastic workers ..................................................
Printing workers ...............................................................................
Textile, apparel, and furnishings workers ........................................
Woodworkers ...................................................................................
Plant and system operators .............................................................
Other production occupations ..........................................................
Transportation and material moving occupations .........................
Supervisors, transportation and material moving workers ...............
Air transportation workers ................................................................
Motor vehicle operators ...................................................................
Rail transportation workers ..............................................................
Water transportation workers ..........................................................
Other transportation workers ...........................................................
Material moving workers ..................................................................
Military occupations ..........................................................................
Percent
Highway3
Homicides
Falls
Struck by
object
27
27
82
8
5
7
(4)
(4)
1
(4)
4
( )
(4)
59
30
33
–
–
–
–
–
29
50
–
43
11
–
10
–
–
–
–
–
–
45
6
11
289
11
162
51
65
1,258
113
969
10
51
115
415
23
1
(4)
4
( )
5
(4)
3
1
1
22
2
17
4
( )
1
2
7
(4)
38
–
45
11
27
17
–
–
10
19
9
–
12
10
12
22
22
–
27
–
–
–
–
–
1
4
1
–
–
–
3
13
11
–
–
4
–
6
–
–
33
22
38
30
22
6
18
13
7
–
–
23
36
10
–
71
11
11
9
–
8
23
20
13
20
137
235
282
25
21
8
85
4
11
14
20
94
1,463
15
101
1,021
16
27
18
265
51
(4)
2
4
5
(4)
(4)
(4)
1
(4)
(4)
(4)
(4)
2
26
(4)
2
18
(4)
(4)
(4)
5
1
20
9
12
6
–
–
–
4
–
–
–
15
7
50
27
–
67
–
–
–
14
25
–
35
4
25
9
–
–
–
15
–
–
–
–
9
4
–
–
3
–
–
–
11
–
20
36
11
18
16
29
–
25
–
27
57
–
9
7
–
–
5
–
11
–
14
14
4
2
4
–
–
–
5
–
–
–
–
3
4
–
–
4
–
–
39
3
–
–
–
5
1 Based on the 2000 Standard Occupational Classification system.
2 The figure shown is the percent of the total fatalities for that occupation group.
3 "Highway" includes deaths to vehicle occupants resulting from traffic incidents that occur on the public roadway, shoulder, or surrounding
area. It excludes incidents occurring entirely off the roadway, such as in parking lots and on farms; incidents involving trains; and deaths to
pedestrians or other non passengers.
4 Less than or equal to 0.5 percent.
NOTE: Totals for 2006 are preliminary. Totals for major categories may include subcategories not shown separately. Percentages may not
add to totals because of rounding. Dashes indicate no data reported or data that do not meet publication criteria.
There were 11 fatalities for which there was insufficient information to determine a specific occupation classification.
SOURCE: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, in cooperation with State, New York City, District of Columbia, and Federal
agencies, Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries
11
Table 4. Fatal occupational injuries by selected worker characteristics and selected event or exposure, 2006
Selected event or exposure1
(percent of total for characteristic category)
Fatalities
Characteristic
Number
Total .....................................................................................................
Percent
Highway2
Homicides
Falls
Struck by
object
5,703
100
23
9
14
10
4,690
1,013
82
18
26
12
8
13
14
14
10
13
5,275
428
92
8
23
30
8
27
15
9
11
2
10
20
104
382
1,016
1,266
1,378
941
577
(6)
(6)
2
7
18
22
24
17
10
–
–
21
19
26
24
23
24
20
–
15
10
8
11
11
8
9
5
–
–
12
11
12
12
15
17
17
–
20
12
10
10
9
10
11
13
3,945
552
937
44
142
10
10
63
69
10
16
1
2
(6)
(6)
1
25
24
17
39
15
50
30
21
6
21
8
7
46
–
–
11
13
11
21
7
8
–
–
13
10
10
12
9
4
–
–
10
Employee status
Wage and salary3 ................................................................................
Self-employed4 ....................................................................................
Sex
Men ......................................................................................................
Women ................................................................................................
Age5
Under 16 years ....................................................................................
16-17 years ..........................................................................................
18-19 years ..........................................................................................
20-24 years ..........................................................................................
25-34 years ..........................................................................................
35-44 years ..........................................................................................
45-54 years ..........................................................................................
55-64 years ..........................................................................................
65 years and older ...............................................................................
Race or ethnic origin7
White ...................................................................................................
Black or African-American ...................................................................
Hispanic or Latino ................................................................................
American Indian or Alaska Native .......................................................
Asian ....................................................................................................
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander .....................................................
Multiple races ......................................................................................
Other or not reported ...........................................................................
1 The figure shown is the percent of the total fatalities for that demographic group.
2 "Highway" includes deaths to vehicle occupants resulting from traffic incidents that occur on the public roadway, shoulder, or surrounding
area. It excludes incidents occurring entirely off the roadway, such as in parking lots and on farms; incidents involving trains; and deaths to
pedestrians or other nonpassengers.
3 May include volunteers and workers receiving other types of compensation.
4 Includes self-employed workers, owners of unincorporated businesses and farms, paid and unpaid family workers, members of
partnerships, and may include owners of incorporated businesses.
5 There were 9 fatalities for which there was insufficient information to determine the age of the decedent.
6 Less than or equal to 0.5 percent.
7 Persons identified as Hispanic or Latino may be of any race. The race categories shown exclude Hispanic and Latino workers.
NOTE: Totals for 2006 are preliminary. Totals for major categories may include subcategories not shown separately. Percentages may not
add to totals because of rounding. Dashes indicate no data reported or data that do not meet publication criteria.
SOURCE: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, in cooperation with State, New York City, District of Columbia, and Federal
agencies, Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries
12
Table 5. Fatal occupational injuries by state and event or exposure, 2005-2006
Event or exposure4
2006
Total fatalities1
State of injury
Alabama ............................................................................
Alaska ...............................................................................
Arizona ..............................................................................
Arkansas ...........................................................................
California ...........................................................................
Colorado ...........................................................................
Connecticut .......................................................................
Delaware ...........................................................................
District of Columbia ...........................................................
Florida ...............................................................................
Georgia .............................................................................
Hawaii ...............................................................................
Idaho .................................................................................
Illinois ................................................................................
Indiana ..............................................................................
Iowa ..................................................................................
Kansas ..............................................................................
Kentucky ...........................................................................
Louisiana ...........................................................................
Maine ................................................................................
Maryland ...........................................................................
Massachusetts ..................................................................
Michigan ............................................................................
Minnesota .........................................................................
Mississippi .........................................................................
Missouri .............................................................................
Montana ............................................................................
Nebraska ...........................................................................
Nevada ..............................................................................
New Hampshire ................................................................
New Jersey .......................................................................
New Mexico ......................................................................
New York (including N.Y.C.) .............................................
New York City ...............................................................
North Carolina ...................................................................
North Dakota .....................................................................
Ohio ..................................................................................
Oklahoma ..........................................................................
Oregon ..............................................................................
Pennsylvania .....................................................................
Rhode Island .....................................................................
South Carolina ..................................................................
South Dakota ....................................................................
Tennessee ........................................................................
Texas ................................................................................
Utah ..................................................................................
Vermont ............................................................................
Virginia ..............................................................................
Washington .......................................................................
West Virginia .....................................................................
Wisconsin ..........................................................................
Wyoming ...........................................................................
20052
(revised)
128
29
99
80
465
125
46
11
12
406
200
15
35
194
157
90
81
122
111
15
95
75
110
87
112
185
50
36
57
18
112
44
239
88
165
22
168
95
65
224
6
132
31
139
495
54
7
186
85
46
125
46
20063
100
44
108
78
448
137
38
14
7
355
192
30
38
207
148
71
85
147
118
20
105
66
155
78
96
166
45
57
49
13
88
59
233
99
167
31
193
91
72
240
10
93
37
153
486
60
14
164
87
79
91
36
Transpor- Assaults
tation
and violent
incidents5
acts6
42
24
53
47
167
60
15
13
–
141
80
18
24
86
75
38
43
77
50
12
39
16
60
29
45
76
30
17
16
4
39
29
71
14
66
16
65
59
46
89
3
34
19
59
200
30
6
60
40
26
33
23
8
4
18
5
61
30
10
–
3
54
27
–
–
36
15
3
7
15
13
–
24
10
21
5
8
27
3
6
8
3
18
3
37
21
22
–
22
–
4
40
–
19
4
37
59
6
–
32
4
3
11
–
Contact
with
objects
and
equipment
26
8
10
8
72
23
6
–
–
36
31
6
7
24
26
11
11
27
21
3
12
10
30
27
20
21
4
19
7
3
9
13
43
14
30
8
54
15
13
44
–
9
10
29
87
9
3
38
13
14
24
7
Falls
14
–
15
12
87
13
4
–
–
63
33
–
3
32
19
11
12
13
12
–
21
16
21
9
9
23
4
7
10
–
13
9
46
34
25
5
22
8
6
37
3
19
–
14
60
7
–
18
19
7
15
–
Exposure
to harmful
subFires and
stances or explosions
environments
5
5
12
–
45
7
–
–
–
48
15
–
–
27
7
4
7
6
18
–
8
13
17
5
10
17
4
5
8
–
3
5
24
10
16
–
22
4
–
22
–
10
–
9
54
7
–
15
10
7
4
–
5
–
–
4
12
3
–
–
–
11
4
–
–
–
6
4
5
9
4
–
–
–
4
–
–
–
–
3
–
–
6
–
12
6
8
–
7
3
–
8
–
–
–
5
23
–
–
–
–
22
–
3
1 State totals include other events and exposures, such as bodily reaction, in addition to those shown separately.
2 The BLS news release issued August 10, 2006, reported a total of 5,702 fatal work injuries for calendar year 2005. Since then, an additional 32
job-related fatalities were identified, bringing the total job-related fatality count for 2005 to 5,734. Includes 1 fatality that occurred within the territorial
boundaries of the United States, but a State of incident could not be determined.
3 Includes 4 fatalities that occurred within the territorial boundaries of the United States, but a State of incident could not be determined.
4 Based on the 1992 BLS Occupational Injury and Illness Classification Manual.
5 Includes highway, nonhighway, air, water, rail fatalities, and fatalities resulting from being struck by a vehicle.
6 Includes violence by persons, self-inflicted injuries, and attacks by animals.
NOTE: Totals for 2006 are preliminary. Dashes indicate no data reported or data that do not meet publication criteria.
SOURCE: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, in cooperation with State, New York City, District of Columbia, and Federal agencies,
Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries
13
Table 6. CFOI participating agencies and telephone numbers
State
Agency
Telephone number
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Department of Labor
Department of Labor and Workforce Development
Industrial Commission of Arizona
Department of Labor
Department of Industrial Relations
Department of Public Health and Environment
Labor Department
Department of Labor
State Center for Health Statistics
Department of Financial Services
(334) 242-3460
(907) 465-4539
(602) 542-3737
(501) 682-4542
(510) 286-0702
(303) 692-2173
(860) 263-6933
(302) 761-8221
(202) 442-9010
(850) 413-1611
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Department of Labor
Department of Labor and Industrial Relations
Industrial Commission
Department of Public Health
Department of Labor
Division of Labor Services
Department of Labor
Department of Labor
Department of Labor
Bureau of Labor Standards
(404) 679-0687 ext. 113
(808) 586-9001
(208) 334-6090
(217) 558-0500
(317) 232-2668
(515) 281-5151
(785) 296-1640
(502) 564-3070 ext. 280
(225) 342-3126
(207) 623-7907
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
Division of Labor and Industry
Department of Public Health
Department of Labor and Economic Growth
Department of Labor and Industry
Department of Health
Department of Labor and Industrial Relations
Department of Labor and Industry
Workers' Compensation Court
Division of Industrial Relations
Division of Vital Records Administration
(410) 767-2356
(617) 624-5679
(517) 322-1851
(651) 284-5568
(601) 576-7186
(573) 751-2454
(406) 444-3297
(402) 471-3547
(775) 684-7081
(603) 271-4647
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York State
New York City
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Department of Health and Senior Services
Occupational Health and Safety Bureau
Department of Health
Department of Health
Department of Labor
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Department of Health
Department of Labor
Department of Consumer and Business Services
Department of Health
(609) 292-9553
(505) 476-8740
(518) 402-7900
(212) 788-4585
(919) 733-0337
(312) 353-7200 ext. 410
(614) 728-4116
(405) 528-1500 ext. 236
(503) 947-7991
(717) 783-0295 ext. 210
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Department of Health
Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Department of Labor and Workforce Development
Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers'
Compensation
Utah Occupational Safety and Health Statistics
Department of Labor
Department of Labor and Industry
Department of Labor and Industries
Division of Labor
Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene
Department of Employment
(401) 222-2812
(803) 896-7673
(312) 353-7200 ext. 410
(615) 741-1749
(512) 804-4599
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
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(801) 530-6823
(802) 828-5076
(804) 786-1035
(360) 902-5512
(304) 558-7890 ext. 112
(608) 221-6289
(307) 473-3819
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. Fatalities to
volunteer and unpaid family workers who perform the same duties and functions as paid workers
are also included in the counts. 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 2006 that resulted from
traumatic occupational injuries. An injury is defined as any wound or damage to the body
resulting from acute exposure to energy, such as heat, electricity, or impact from a crash or fall,
or from the absence of such essentials as heat or oxygen, caused by a specific event or incident
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 2006, there were 81 cases included for which work relationship could not be verified
with a second document; 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
46 fatalities submitted by States were not included because the source documents had
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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 workrelated. 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 27 fatalities per year or less than
0.5 percent of the revised total. The BLS news release issued August 10, 2006, reported a total
of 5,702 fatal work injuries for 2005. Since then, a net addition of 32 fatal work injuries were
identified, bringing the total for 2005 to 5,734. Revised counts for 2006 will be available in
April 2008.
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 18 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 onehalf 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
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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 Federal Railroad Administration; 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.
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