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Technical information:(202) 691-6175 USDL 04-1830
Media information: (202) 691-5902 FOR RELEASE: 10 a.m. EDT
Internet address: http://www.bls.gov/iif/oshcfoi1.htm Wednesday, September 22, 2004
NATIONAL CENSUS OF FATAL OCCUPATIONAL INJURIES IN 2003
A total of 5,559 fatal work injuries were recorded in the U.S. in 2003, a small
increase from the revised total of 5,534 fatal work injuries reported for 2002, according
to the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics,
U.S. Department of Labor. Despite the increase, fatal work injuries for both 2003 and 2002
were the lowest ever recorded by the fatality census, which has been conducted each year
since 1992. The rate at which fatal work injuries occurred in 2003 was 4.0 fatalities
per 100,000 workers, unchanged from the rate reported for 2002.
Profile of 2003 fatal work injuries by type of incident
Fatal work injuries resulting from highway incidents, falls, and electrocutions were
all lower in 2003 than in 2002, while fatal injuries involving homicides, fires and
explosions, and being struck by objects increased.
Fatal highway incidents were down in 2003 for the second consecutive year, but
continued to account for the highest number of fatal work injuries. The 1,350 fatal highway
incidents recorded in 2003 accounted for about one out of every four fatal work injuries.
Incidents involving workers struck by vehicles or mobile equipment also were down in 2003,
but the number of fatal work injuries involving nonhighway transportation incidents (such
as those that might occur on a farm or industrial premises) and aircraft-related incidents
were both higher.
The number of workplace homicides was higher in 2003 -- the first increase since 2000.
Despite the higher total, the 631 workplace homicides recorded in 2003 represented a
42 percent decline from the high of 1,080 workplace homicides recorded in 1994. Workplace
suicides also were higher in 2003.
Fatal work injuries involving falls declined in 2003. The 691 fatal falls recorded in
2003 was the lowest total since 1996. The number of electrocutions also was lower. The 246
electrocutions in 2003 represented a decline of 15 percent from the 2002 total and reflected
a series low.
The 198 fatal work injuries resulting from fires and explosions in 2003 was 20 percent
higher than the total recorded in 2002. Fatalities from being struck by objects also were
higher in 2003, led by increases in worker deaths due to being struck by a falling or flying
object.
Note on industry and occupation classifications: Beginning with the 2003 reference year,
CFOI began using the 2002 North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) for
industries and the Standard Occupational Classification system (SOC) for occupations.
Prior to 2003, the program used the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) system and
the Bureau of the Census occupational classification system. Because of the substantial
differences between the current and previous systems, the results by industry and
occupation in 2003 constitute a break in series, and users are advised against making
comparisons between the 2003 industry and occupation categories and the results for
previous years.
Profile of fatal work injuries by private industry
The largest number of fatal work injuries in 2003 was in the construction sector
(NAICS 23). The 1,126 fatal work injuries in private construction accounted for more than
one out of every five fatalities in 2003. Specialty trade contractors (NAICS 238) recorded
626 fatalities or about 56 percent of the construction total. Another 226 construction
workers were fatally injured while working in building construction (NAICS 236) including
128 fatalities in residential building construction (NAICS 2361). Heavy and civil
engineering construction (NAICS 237) reported 247 fatal work injuries or about 22 percent
of the construction total.
The transportation and warehousing sector (NAICS 48-49) accounted for 805 fatal work
injuries or about 16 percent of the private industry total in 2003. Truck transportation
(NAICS 484) recorded 517 fatal work injuries or nearly two-thirds of the transportation and
warehousing total.
Agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting (NAICS 11) recorded 707 fatal work
injuries, the third highest among NAICS sectors. Nearly half (47 percent) of the
agriculture fatalities were in crop production (NAICS 111).
While private construction had the highest number of fatalities of any sector, the
highest fatality rate was in agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting (31.2 fatalities
per 100,000 workers). The second highest rate was in the mining sector (26.9 per 100,000),
followed by transportation and warehousing (17.5 per 100,000) and construction
(11.7 per 100,000).
Profile of fatal work injuries by occupation
Transportation and material moving occupations (SOC 53) recorded 1,388 fatalities in
2003, the most of any major occupational group. Over half of the fatalities in this group
involved drivers of heavy trucks or tractor trailers (SOC 53-3032). Construction and
extraction occupations (SOC 47) had the second largest number of fatal work injuries among
major occupational groups. Construction trade workers (SOC 47-2000) accounted for 784 of
the 1,033 fatal work injuries in this major group, with construction laborers (SOC 47-2061)
recording the most fatalities (289) of any individual occupation in the group.
Other major occupational groups with high numbers of fatalities in 2003 included:
management occupations (SOC 11) with 630 fatal work injuries, installation, maintenance,
and repair occupations (SOC 49) with 395 fatalities, and sales and related occupations
(SOC 41) with 349 fatalities.
Among the major occupational groups with the highest fatal work injury rates were
farming, fishing, and forestry occupations (27.9 fatalities per 100,000 workers),
transportation and material moving occupations (16.9 per 100,000), construction and
extraction occupations (12.7 per 100,000), and protective service occupations
(11.4 per 100,000).
Individual occupations with particularly high rates in 2003 included logging workers
(131.6 fatalities per 100,000 workers), fishers and related fishing occupations
(115 per 100,000), and aircraft pilots and flight engineers (97.4 per 100,000).
Profile of fatal work injuries by demographic characteristics
The number of fatal work injuries involving black workers was higher in 2003 after
declining for the previous three years. The number of fatally injured black workers rose
from 491 in 2002 to 542 in 2003, an increase of 10 percent. Fatalities among white,
non-Hispanic workers, and Asian, native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander workers also
increased in 2003.
Fatal work injuries among Hispanic or Latino workers were lower for the second
consecutive year, although Hispanic workers continued to record the highest rate of fatal
injuries among the racial/ethnic groups reported (4.5 fatal work injuries per 100,000
Hispanic workers). Fatal work injuries among foreign-born Hispanic workers declined for
the first time ever in the fatality census, although fatalities among native-born Hispanic
workers rose slightly in 2003.
The number of fatal injuries rose for workers under 25 years of age and for workers
45 years of age and older in 2003, although workers from 25 through 44 years of age recorded
fewer fatalities. Workers 65 years of age and older continued to record the highest
fatality rate of any age group. The rate of 11.3 fatal work injuries per 100,000 workers
for workers 65 and older was more than three times the rate of 3.3 fatalities per
100,000 workers for those 25 to 34 years of age.
The total of 1,167 self-employed workers who were fatally injured in 2003 represented
an increase of 11 percent over the number reported in 2002. Fatality rates for
self-employed workers rose from 10.5 per 100,000 in 2002 to 11.1 per 100,000 in 2003.
Fatal work injuries involving wage and salary workers were down in 2003.
Profile of fatal work injuries by state
Twenty-five states had fewer fatal work injuries in 2003 than in 2002, 24 states and
the District of Columbia reported higher numbers in 2003, and one state was unchanged.
Numbers were higher in the Northeast and South, but lower in the West and Midwest in 2003.
For more detailed state results, contact the individual state agency responsible for
the collection of CFOI data in that state. Participating agencies and their telephone
numbers are listed in table 6.
Background of the program
The Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, part of the BLS occupational safety and
health statistics program, provides a complete count of fatal work injuries available.
The program uses diverse state and federal data sources to identify, verify, and profile
fatal work injuries. Information about each workplace fatality (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 2003 data, over 20,000 unique source documents
were reviewed.
This is the 12th 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
venture in which costs are shared equally. Additional state-specific data are available
from the participating agencies listed in table 6.
Another BLS program, the Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, presents
frequency counts and incidence rates by industry and profiles worker and case
characteristics of nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses that result in lost
work time. Copies of the news release on nonfatal injuries and illnesses in 2002 are
available from BLS by calling (202) 691-6179 or by accessing the website listed below.
Incidence rates for 2003 by industry will be published in December 2004, and information
on 2003 worker and case characteristics will be available in the spring of 2005. For
additional data, access the BLS Internet site: http://www.bls.gov/iif/.
To request a copy of BLS Report 977 which highlights 2002 fatality results and includes
a number of analytical articles, e-mail your address to CFOIStaff@bls.gov or write to
Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2 Massachusetts Avenue, N.E., Room 3180, Washington, DC 20212.
Chart 1. The three most frequent work-related fatal events, 1992-2003
Chart 2. Number and rate of fatal occupational injuries by industry sector, 2003
Chart 3. Number and rate of fatal occupational injuries for selected occupations, 2003
Table 1. Fatal occupational injuries by event or exposure, 1998-2003
___________________________________________________________________________
|
| Fatalities
________________________________________
| | |
Event or exposure(1) |1998-2002| 2002(2) | 2003
| |_____________________________
| average | | |
| | Number | Number | Percent
___________________________________________________________________________
| | | |
Total............................| 5,896 | 5,534 | 5,559 | 100
| | | |
Transportation incidents...........| 2,549 | 2,385 | 2,357 | 42
Highway..........................| 1,417 | 1,373 | 1,350 | 24
Collision between vehicles, | | | |
mobile equipment..............| 696 | 636 | 648 | 12
Moving in same direction.....| 136 | 155 | 135 | 2
Moving in opposite | | | |
directions, oncoming........| 249 | 202 | 269 | 5
Moving in intersection.......| 148 | 146 | 123 | 2
Vehicle struck stationary | | | |
object or equipment in | | | |
roadway.......................| 27 | 33 | 17 | (3)
Vehicle struck stationary | | | |
object, equipment on side of | | | |
road..........................| 281 | 293 | 324 | 6
Noncollision...................| 367 | 373 | 321 | 6
Jack-knifed or overturned-no | | | |
collision...................| 303 | 312 | 252 | 5
Nonhighway (farm, industrial | | | |
premises).......................| 358 | 323 | 347 | 6
Overturned...................| 192 | 164 | 186 | 3
Worker struck by a vehicle.......| 380 | 356 | 336 | 6
Rail vehicle.....................| 63 | 64 | 43 | 1
Water vehicle....................| 92 | 71 | 68 | 1
Aircraft.........................| 235 | 194 | 208 | 4
| | | |
Assaults and violent acts..........| 910 | 840 | 901 | 16
Homicides........................| 659 | 609 | 631 | 11
Shooting.......................| 519 | 469 | 487 | 9
Stabbing.......................| 61 | 58 | 58 | 1
Self-inflicted injuries..........| 218 | 199 | 218 | 4
| | | |
Contact with objects and | | | |
equipment.........................| 963 | 872 | 911 | 16
Struck by object.................| 547 | 505 | 530 | 10
Struck by falling object.......| 336 | 302 | 322 | 6
| | | |
Struck by flying object........| 55 | 38 | 58 | 1
Caught in or compressed by | | | |
equipment or objects............| 272 | 231 | 237 | 4
Caught in running equipment or | | | |
machinery.....................| 141 | 110 | 121 | 2
Caught in or crushed in | | | |
collapsing materials............| 126 | 116 | 126 | 2
| | | |
Falls..............................| 738 | 719 | 691 | 12
Fall to lower level..............| 651 | 638 | 601 | 11
Fall from ladder...............| 113 | 126 | 113 | 2
Fall from roof.................| 152 | 143 | 127 | 2
Fall from scaffold, staging....| 91 | 88 | 85 | 2
Fall on same level...............| 65 | 64 | 69 | 1
| | | |
Exposure to harmful substances or | | | |
environments......................| 526 | 539 | 485 | 9
Contact with electric current....| 289 | 289 | 246 | 4
Contact with overhead power | | | |
lines.........................| 130 | 122 | 107 | 2
Contact with temperature | | | |
extremes........................| 45 | 60 | 42 | 1
Exposure to caustic, noxious, or | | | |
allergenic substances...........| 102 | 99 | 121 | 2
Inhalation of substance........| 50 | 49 | 65 | 1
Oxygen deficiency................| 89 | 90 | 73 | 1
Drowning, submersion...........| 69 | 60 | 52 | 1
| | | |
Fires and explosions...............| 190 | 165 | 198 | 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 September 17, 2003, reported a total of
5,524 fatal work injuries for calendar year 2003. Since then, an
additional 10 job-related fatalities were identified, bringing the total
job-related fatality count for 2002 to 5,534.
3 Less than or equal to 0.5 percent.
NOTE: 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.
Table 2. Fatal occupational injuries by industry and selected event or exposure, 2003
__________________________________________________________________________________________
| |
| Fatalities | Selected event or exposure(2)
| | (percent of total for industry)
___________________________________________________________
Industry(1) | |
| | | | | |
| Number | Percent |Highway(3)|Homicides| Falls |Struck by
| | | | | | object
___________________________________________________________________________________________
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
Total.....................| 5,559 | 100 | 24 | 11 | 12 | 10
| | | | | |
Private industry.............| 5,027 | 90 | 23 | 11 | 13 | 10
| | | | | |
Goods producing.............| 2,390 | 43 | 14 | 3 | 18 | 14
| | | | | |
Natural resources and | | | | | |
mining....................| 848 | 15 | 15 | 2 | 5 | 20
Agriculture, forestry, | | | | | |
fishing and hunting......| 707 | 13 | 14 | 2 | 5 | 20
Crop production.........| 333 | 6 | 15 | 3 | 5 | 14
Animal production.......| 158 | 3 | 11 | 3 | 8 | 11
Forestry and logging....| 120 | 2 | 10 | - | 2 | 64
Fishing, hunting and | | | | | |
trapping...............| 49 | 1 | - | - | - | -
Agriculture and forestry| | | | | |
support activities.....| 44 | 1 | 32 | - | - | -
Mining(4).................| 141 | 3 | 20 | - | 7 | 23
Oil and gas | | | | | |
extraction.............| 17 | (5) | 24 | - | - | -
Mining, except oil and | | | | | |
gas....................| 55 | 1 | 5 | - | 11 | 20
Support activities for | | | | | |
mining.................| 69 | 1 | 30 | - | 6 | 28
| | | | | |
Construction...............| 1,126 | 20 | 13 | 2 | 32 | 10
Construction..............| 1,126 | 20 | 13 | 2 | 32 | 10
Construction of | | | | | |
buildings..............| 226 | 4 | 11 | 3 | 42 | 6
Heavy and civil | | | | | |
engineering | | | | | |
construction...........| 247 | 4 | 12 | - | 10 | 17
Specialty trade | | | | | |
contractors............| 626 | 11 | 13 | 1 | 37 | 9
| | | | | |
Manufacturing..............| 416 | 7 | 15 | 6 | 9 | 12
Manufacturing.............| 416 | 7 | 15 | 6 | 9 | 12
Food manufacturing......| 58 | 1 | 14 | 7 | 10 | 9
Wood product | | | | | |
manufacturing..........| 37 | 1 | 16 | - | 8 | 19
Paper manufacturing.....| 16 | (5) | - | - | - | -
Chemical | | | | | |
manufacturing..........| 28 | 1 | 11 | - | - | -
Plastics and rubber | | | | | |
products | | | | | |
manufacturing..........| 26 | (5) | 15 | - | - | -
Nonmetallic mineral | | | | | |
product | | | | | |
manufacturing..........| 46 | 1 | 26 | - | - | 15
Primary metal | | | | | |
manufacturing..........| 33 | 1 | - | - | - | 21
Fabricated metal product| | | | | |
manufacturing..........| 43 | 1 | - | - | 12 | 30
Machinery | | | | | |
manufacturing..........| 26 | (5) | 15 | - | - | 19
Computer and electronic | | | | | |
product | | | | | |
manufacturing..........| 11 | (5) | - | - | - | -
Transportation equipment| | | | | |
manufacturing..........| 44 | 1 | 7 | 25 | 14 | 7
| | | | | |
Service producing...........| 2,637 | 47 | 32 | 19 | 8 | 7
| | | | | |
Trade, transportation, and | | | | | |
utilities.................| 1,371 | 25 | 42 | 18 | 5 | 6
Wholesale trade...........| 191 | 3 | 41 | 8 | 8 | 12
Merchant wholesalers, | | | | | |
durable goods..........| 103 | 2 | 32 | 10 | 4 | 20
Merchant wholesalers, | | | | | |
nondurable goods.......| 81 | 1 | 51 | 4 | 14 | -
Retail trade..............| 343 | 6 | 17 | 50 | 7 | 4
Motor vehicle and parts | | | | | |
dealers................| 66 | 1 | 30 | 26 | 8 | 9
Building material and | | | | | |
garden supply stores...| 34 | 1 | 26 | 12 | 15 | -
Food and beverage | | | | | |
stores.................| 99 | 2 | 3 | 82 | 6 | -
Gasoline stations.......| 42 | 1 | 10 | 71 | - | -
Clothing and clothing | | | | | |
accessories stores.....| 16 | (5) | - | 69 | - | -
General merchandise | | | | | |
stores.................| 11 | (5) | - | 55 | - | -
Miscellaneous store | | | | | |
retailers..............| 25 | (5) | 16 | 44 | 12 | 12
Nonstore retailers......| 22 | (5) | 59 | 18 | - | -
Transportation and | | | | | |
warehousing..............| 805 | 14 | 54 | 7 | 3 | 5
Air transportation......| 52 | 1 | - | - | - | -
Rail transportation.....| 18 | (5) | - | - | - | -
Water transportation....| 24 | (5) | - | - | - | -
Truck transportation....| 517 | 9 | 73 | 2 | 3 | 5
Transit and ground | | | | | |
passenger | | | | | |
transportation.........| 74 | 1 | 28 | 62 | - | -
Support activities for | | | | | |
transportation.........| 63 | 1 | 21 | 5 | - | 6
Couriers and | | | | | |
messengers.............| 22 | (5) | 73 | - | - | -
Warehousing and | | | | | |
storage................| 23 | (5) | - | - | 17 | 22
Utilities.................| 32 | 1 | 22 | - | - | -
| | | | | |
Information................| 64 | 1 | 47 | 11 | 11 | -
Information...............| 64 | 1 | 47 | 11 | 11 | -
Publishing industries, | | | | | |
except Internet........| 31 | 1 | 65 | - | - | -
Telecommunications......| 21 | (5) | 33 | 14 | 14 | -
| | | | | |
Financial activities.......| 130 | 2 | 26 | 28 | 11 | 4
Finance and insurance.....| 46 | 1 | 37 | 28 | 7 | -
Credit intermediation | | | | | |
and related | | | | | |
activities.............| 28 | 1 | 29 | 46 | - | -
Insurance carriers and | | | | | |
related activities.....| 11 | (5) | 55 | - | - | -
Real estate and rental and| | | | | |
leasing..................| 84 | 2 | 20 | 27 | 13 | 5
Real estate.............| 52 | 1 | 12 | 35 | 19 | -
Rental and leasing | | | | | |
services...............| 31 | 1 | 32 | 16 | - | 13
| | | | | |
Professional and business | | | | | |
services..................| 452 | 8 | 23 | 7 | 15 | 13
Professional and technical| | | | | |
services.................| 97 | 2 | 25 | 8 | 8 | -
Administrative and waste | | | | | |
services.................| 355 | 6 | 22 | 6 | 17 | 16
Administrative and | | | | | |
support services.......| 264 | 5 | 17 | 8 | 22 | 18
Waste management and | | | | | |
remediation services...| 91 | 2 | 35 | - | 4 | 10
| | | | | |
Educational and health | | | | | |
services..................| 143 | 3 | 24 | 10 | 13 | -
Educational services......| 41 | 1 | 7 | - | 10 | -
Health care and social | | | | | |
assistance...............| 102 | 2 | 30 | 13 | 15 | -
Ambulatory health care | | | | | |
services...............| 36 | 1 | 39 | 8 | 11 | -
Hospitals...............| 24 | (5) | 21 | - | 21 | -
Nursing and residential | | | | | |
care facilities........| 20 | (5) | 15 | 35 | 30 | -
Social assistance.......| 20 | (5) | 35 | - | - | -
| | | | | |
Leisure and hospitality....| 274 | 5 | 9 | 40 | 9 | 2
Arts, entertainment, and | | | | | |
recreation...............| 88 | 2 | 7 | 3 | 11 | 6
Performing arts and | | | | | |
spectator sports.......| 42 | 1 | 12 | - | 7 | -
Amusements, gambling, | | | | | |
and recreation ........| 40 | 1 | - | 8 | 18 | 8
Accommodation and food | | | | | |
services.................| 186 | 3 | 11 | 58 | 8 | -
Accommodation...........| 40 | 1 | 12 | 35 | 15 | -
Food services and | | | | | |
drinking places........| 145 | 3 | 10 | 64 | 6 | -
| | | | | |
Other services, except | | | | | |
public administration.....| 194 | 3 | 17 | 28 | 9 | 11
Other services, except | | | | | |
public administration....| 194 | 3 | 17 | 28 | 9 | 11
Repair and | | | | | |
maintenance............| 121 | 2 | 9 | 25 | 7 | 18
Personal and laundry | | | | | |
services...............| 42 | 1 | 26 | 45 | 7 | -
Membership associations | | | | | |
and organizations......| 30 | 1 | 37 | 17 | 17 | -
| | | | | |
Government(6)................| 532 | 10 | 35 | 13 | 6 | 4
| | | | | |
Federal government..........| 98 | 2 | 19 | 3 | 6 | 6
State government............| 102 | 2 | 37 | 13 | 10 | -
Local government............| 326 | 6 | 39 | 17 | 6 | 4
___________________________________________________________________________________________
1 Classified according to 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 non-passengers.
4 Includes fatalities at all establishments categorized as Mining (Sector 21) in the
2002 North American Industy Classification System including establishments not governed by
the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) rules and reporting, such as those in Oil
and Gas Extraction.
5 Less than or equal to 0.5 percent.
6 Includes fatalities to workers employed by governmental organizations regardless of
industry.
NOTE: 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 9 fatalities for which there was insufficient information to determine a specific
industry classification, though 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.
Table 3. Fatal occupational injuries by occupation and selected event or exposure, 2003
__________________________________________________________________________________________
| |
| Fatalities | Selected event or exposure(2)
| | (percent of total for occupation)
___________________________________________________________
Occupation(1) | |
| | | | | |
| Number | Percent |Highway(3)|Homicides| Falls |Struck by
| | | | | | object
__________________________________________________________________________________________
| | | | | |
Total.......................| 5,559 | 100 | 24 | 11 | 12 | 10
| | | | | |
Management occupations........| 630 | 11 | 16 | 10 | 8 | 11
Top executives..............| 40 | 1 | 25 | 15 | 10 | 8
Advertising, marketing, | | | | | |
promotions, public | | | | | |
relations, and sales | | | | | |
managers...................| 14 | (4) | 64 | - | - | -
Operations specialties | | | | | |
managers...................| 34 | 1 | 26 | 18 | 9 | -
Other management | | | | | |
occupations................| 542 | 10 | 13 | 9 | 8 | 12
Business and financial | | | | | |
operations occupations.......| 32 | 1 | 31 | 12 | 12 | -
Business operations | | | | | |
specialists................| 11 | (4) | - | - | 27 | -
Financial specialists.......| 21 | (4) | 38 | 14 | - | -
Computer and mathematical | | | | | |
occupations..................| 8 | (4) | 50 | - | - | -
Computer specialists........| 7 | (4) | 57 | - | - | -
Architecture and engineering | | | | | |
occupations..................| 54 | 1 | 28 | - | 11 | 6
Architects, surveyors, and | | | | | |
cartographers..............| 7 | (4) | - | - | - | -
Engineers...................| 28 | 1 | 32 | - | - | -
Drafters, engineering, and | | | | | |
mapping technicians........| 19 | (4) | 32 | - | - | -
Life, physical, and social | | | | | |
science occupations..........| 20 | (4) | 20 | - | - | -
Life scientists.............| 8 | (4) | - | - | - | -
Physical scientists.........| 4 | (4) | - | - | - | -
Life, physical, and social | | | | | |
science technicians........| 7 | (4) | - | - | - | -
Community and social services | | | | | |
occupations..................| 29 | 1 | 55 | 10 | - | -
Counselors, social workers, | | | | | |
and other community and | | | | | |
social service | | | | | |
specialists................| 16 | (4) | 62 | - | - | -
Religious workers...........| 13 | (4) | 46 | 23 | - | -
Legal occupations.............| 15 | (4) | - | - | - | -
Lawyers, judges, and related| | | | | |
workers....................| 11 | (4) | - | - | - | -
Legal support workers.......| 4 | (4) | - | - | - | -
Education, training, and | | | | | |
library occupations..........| 30 | 1 | 53 | - | 17 | -
Postsecondary teachers......| 10 | (4) | 40 | - | - | -
Primary, secondary, and | | | | | |
special education school | | | | | |
teachers...................| 10 | (4) | 50 | - | - | -
Other teachers and | | | | | |
instructors................| 3 | (4) | - | - | - | -
Librarians, curators, and | | | | | |
archivists.................| 4 | (4) | - | - | - | -
Other education, training, | | | | | |
and library occupations....| 3 | (4) | 100 | - | - | -
Arts, design, entertainment, | | | | | |
sports, and media | | | | | |
occupations..................| 58 | 1 | 21 | - | 9 | -
Art and design workers......| 10 | (4) | - | - | - | -
Entertainers and performers,| | | | | |
sports and related | | | | | |
workers....................| 30 | 1 | 17 | - | - | -
Media and communication | | | | | |
workers....................| 12 | (4) | 50 | - | - | -
Media and communication | | | | | |
equipment workers..........| 6 | (4) | - | - | - | -
Healthcare practitioners and | | | | | |
technical occupations........| 49 | 1 | 35 | 12 | 6 | -
Health diagnosing and | | | | | |
treating practitioners.....| 30 | 1 | 17 | 17 | - | -
Health technologists and | | | | | |
technicians................| 16 | (4) | 69 | - | - | -
Other healthcare | | | | | |
practitioners and technical| | | | | |
occupations................| 3 | (4) | - | - | - | -
Healthcare support | | | | | |
occupations..................| 20 | (4) | 25 | 30 | 30 | -
Nursing, psychiatric, and | | | | | |
home health aides..........| 14 | (4) | 21 | 29 | 43 | -
Other healthcare support | | | | | |
occupations................| 5 | (4) | - | - | - | -
Protective service | | | | | |
occupations..................| 312 | 6 | 34 | 30 | 4 | 1
First-line supervisors | | | | | |
managers, protective | | | | | |
service workers............| 24 | (4) | 38 | 29 | - | -
Fire fighting and prevention| | | | | |
workers....................| 45 | 1 | 47 | - | - | -
Law enforcement workers.....| 153 | 3 | 43 | 33 | 2 | -
Other protective service | | | | | |
workers....................| 90 | 2 | 10 | 41 | 7 | -
Food preparation and serving | | | | | |
related occupations..........| 71 | 1 | 8 | 58 | 14 | -
Supervisors, food | | | | | |
preparation and serving | | | | | |
workers....................| 20 | (4) | 20 | 70 | - | -
Cooks and food preparation | | | | | |
workers....................| 18 | (4) | - | 50 | - | -
Food and beverage serving | | | | | |
workers....................| 27 | (4) | - | 59 | 15 | -
Other food preparation and | | | | | |
serving related workers....| 6 | (4) | - | - | 67 | -
Building and grounds cleaning | | | | | |
and maintenance | | | | | |
occupations..................| 246 | 4 | 13 | 4 | 25 | 21
Supervisors, building and | | | | | |
grounds cleaning and | | | | | |
maintenance workers........| 41 | 1 | 12 | - | 20 | 27
Building cleaning and pest | | | | | |
control workers............| 49 | 1 | 6 | 14 | 39 | -
Grounds maintenance | | | | | |
workers....................| 156 | 3 | 15 | 2 | 22 | 25
Personal care and service | | | | | |
occupations..................| 53 | 1 | 11 | 21 | 6 | -
Animal care and service | | | | | |
workers....................| 18 | (4) | - | - | - | -
Entertainment attendants and| | | | | |
related workers............| 10 | (4) | - | - | - | -
Personal appearance | | | | | |
workers....................| 7 | (4) | - | 71 | - | -
Transportation, tourism, and| | | | | |
lodging attendants.........| 5 | (4) | - | - | - | -
Other personal care and | | | | | |
service workers............| 10 | (4) | - | 40 | - | -
Sales and related | | | | | |
occupations..................| 349 | 6 | 21 | 52 | 5 | 2
Supervisors, sales | | | | | |
workers....................| 161 | 3 | 16 | 53 | 5 | 2
Retail sales workers........| 107 | 2 | 7 | 73 | 6 | -
Sales representatives, | | | | | |
services...................| 14 | (4) | 50 | - | - | -
Sales representatives, | | | | | |
wholesale and | | | | | |
manufacturing..............| 27 | (4) | 74 | - | - | -
Other sales and related | | | | | |
workers....................| 40 | 1 | 35 | 40 | - | -
Office and administrative | | | | | |
support occupations..........| 112 | 2 | 30 | 33 | 10 | 3
Supervisors, office and | | | | | |
administrative support | | | | | |
workers....................| 7 | (4) | - | - | 43 | -
Financial clerks............| 11 | (4) | - | 45 | - | -
Information and record | | | | | |
clerks.....................| 11 | (4) | - | 55 | - | -
Material recording, | | | | | |
scheduling, dispatching, | | | | | |
and distributing workers...| 56 | 1 | 45 | 25 | 5 | 5
Secretaries and | | | | | |
administrative | | | | | |
assistants.................| 10 | (4) | - | 50 | - | -
Other office and | | | | | |
administrative support | | | | | |
workers....................| 17 | (4) | 18 | 29 | - | -
Farming, fishing, and forestry| | | | | |
occupations..................| 305 | 5 | 11 | 3 | 4 | 29
Supervisors, farming, | | | | | |
fishing, and forestry | | | | | |
workers....................| 11 | (4) | - | - | - | 55
Agricultural workers........| 137 | 2 | 18 | 6 | 5 | 7
Fishing and hunting | | | | | |
workers....................| 50 | 1 | - | - | - | -
Forest, conservation, and | | | | | |
logging workers............| 107 | 2 | 7 | - | 4 | 69
Construction and extraction | | | | | |
occupations..................| 1,033 | 19 | 12 | 2 | 32 | 11
Supervisors, construction | | | | | |
and extraction workers.....| 111 | 2 | 12 | 3 | 26 | 12
Construction trades | | | | | |
workers....................| 784 | 14 | 11 | 2 | 35 | 10
Helpers, construction | | | | | |
trades.....................| 26 | (4) | - | - | 27 | 12
Other construction and | | | | | |
related workers............| 44 | 1 | 18 | - | 30 | -
Extraction workers..........| 68 | 1 | 13 | - | 6 | 26
Installation, maintenance, and| | | | | |
repair occupations...........| 395 | 7 | 10 | 7 | 17 | 14
Supervisors of installation,| | | | | |
maintenance, and repair | | | | | |
workers....................| 34 | 1 | 12 | 18 | 24 | 18
Electrical and electronic | | | | | |
equipment mechanics, | | | | | |
installers, and | | | | | |
repairers..................| 20 | (4) | 25 | - | 30 | -
Vehicle and mobile equipment| | | | | |
mechanics, installers, and | | | | | |
repairers..................| 122 | 2 | 9 | 14 | 6 | 22
Other installation, | | | | | |
maintenance, and repair | | | | | |
occupations................| 219 | 4 | 9 | 1 | 21 | 10
Production occupations........| 282 | 5 | 6 | 10 | 7 | 13
Assemblers and | | | | | |
fabricators................| 34 | 1 | - | 15 | - | 18
Food processing workers.....| 14 | (4) | - | 29 | - | -
Metal workers and plastic | | | | | |
workers....................| 83 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 10 | 20
Textile, apparel, and | | | | | |
furnishings workers........| 7 | (4) | - | 43 | - | -
Woodworkers.................| 7 | (4) | - | - | - | 57
Plant and system | | | | | |
operators..................| 15 | (4) | - | - | - | -
Other production | | | | | |
occupations................| 84 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 6
Transportation and material | | | | | |
moving occupations...........| 1,388 | 25 | 49 | 6 | 5 | 6
Supervisors, transportation | | | | | |
and material moving | | | | | |
workers....................| 16 | (4) | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19
Air transportation | | | | | |
workers....................| 113 | 2 | - | - | - | -
Motor vehicle operators.....| 955 | 17 | 66 | 7 | 3 | 5
Rail transportation | | | | | |
workers....................| 16 | (4) | - | - | - | -
Water transportation | | | | | |
workers....................| 26 | (4) | - | - | - | 12
Other transportation | | | | | |
workers....................| 12 | (4) | - | 25 | - | -
Material moving workers.....| 250 | 4 | 15 | 4 | 11 | 14
Military occupations..........| 62 | 1 | 13 | - | - | 8
___________________________________________________________________________________________
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 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 7 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.
Table 4. Fatal occupational injuries by selected worker characteristics and selected
event or exposure, 2003
__________________________________________________________________________________________
| |
| | Selected event or exposure(1)
| Fatalities | (percent of total for characteristic
| | category)
___________________________________________________________
Characteristic | |
| | | | | |
| Number | Percent |Highway(2)|Homicides| Falls |Struck by
| | | | | | object
___________________________________________________________________________________________
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
Total.........................| 5,559 | 100 | 24 | 11 | 12 | 10
| | | | | |
Employee status | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Wage and salary(3)............| 4,392 | 79 | 27 | 10 | 13 | 9
Self-employed(4)..............| 1,167 | 21 | 13 | 16 | 12 | 11
| | | | | |
Sex | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Men...........................| 5,115 | 92 | 24 | 10 | 13 | 10
Women.........................| 444 | 8 | 31 | 27 | 9 | 1
| | | | | |
Age(5) | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Under 16 years................| 25 | (6) | 24 | - | - | -
16-17 years...................| 28 | 1 | 25 | - | - | 11
18-19 years...................| 84 | 2 | 24 | 12 | 11 | 14
20-24 years...................| 461 | 8 | 23 | 14 | 9 | 8
25-34 years...................| 1,016 | 18 | 26 | 14 | 10 | 8
35-44 years...................| 1,324 | 24 | 24 | 12 | 11 | 10
45-54 years...................| 1,298 | 23 | 27 | 11 | 14 | 10
55-64 years...................| 801 | 14 | 23 | 8 | 15 | 9
65 years and older............| 519 | 9 | 20 | 9 | 17 | 11
| | | | | |
Race or ethnic origin(7) | | | | | |
| | | | | |
White.........................| 3,976 | 72 | 26 | 8 | 12 | 9
Black.........................| 542 | 10 | 28 | 22 | 9 | 7
Hispanic......................| 791 | 14 | 17 | 13 | 16 | 13
American Indian, Aleut, | | | | | |
Eskimo.......................| 42 | 1 | 21 | 12 | 14 | 19
Asian.........................| 147 | 3 | 10 | 50 | 7 | 4
Pacific Islander..............| 11 | (6) | - | - | 27 | -
Multiple races................| 3 | (6) | - | - | - | -
Other or not reported.........| 47 | 1 | 23 | 34 | 6 | 6
___________________________________________________________________________________________
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 non-passengers.
3 May include volunteers and other workers receiving compensation.
4 Includes paid and unpaid family workers, and may include owners of incorporated
businesses, or members of partnerships.
5 There were 3 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 may be of any race. The individual racial categories
shown exclude data for Hispanics.
NOTE: 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.
Table 5. Fatal occupational injuries by state and event or exposure, 2003
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
| |
|Total fatalities(1)| Event or exposure(4)
| | 2003
_______________________________________________________________________________
| |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | Exposure|
State of injury | | | | | Contact | | to |
| | |Transpor-| Assaults| with | | harmful |Fires and
| 2002(2) | 2003(3) | tation | and | objects | Falls | sub- | ex-
|(revised)| | inci- | violent | and | | stances | plosions
| | | dents(5)| acts(6) |equipment| | or |
| | | | | | | environ-|
| | | | | | | ments |
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Total..................| 5,534 | 5,559 | 2,357 | 901 | 911 | 691 | 485 | 198
Alabama..................| 102 | 121 | 62 | 16 | 25 | 10 | 7 | -
Alaska...................| 42 | 28 | 13 | 7 | 3 | - | 3 | -
Arizona..................| 101 | 80 | 37 | 9 | 12 | 10 | 5 | 5
Arkansas.................| 80 | 87 | 48 | 6 | 16 | 10 | 4 | 3
California...............| 478 | 456 | 174 | 83 | 76 | 71 | 35 | 13
Colorado.................| 123 | 102 | 39 | 23 | 14 | 19 | 4 | -
Connecticut..............| 39 | 36 | 17 | 9 | 4 | 4 | - | -
Delaware.................| 11 | 6 | - | - | - | - | 3 | -
District of Columbia.....| 8 | 19 | - | 7 | - | 6 | 3 | -
Florida..................| 354 | 347 | 153 | 62 | 42 | 36 | 43 | 10
Georgia..................| 197 | 199 | 87 | 45 | 27 | 23 | 12 | 5
Hawaii...................| 24 | 21 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | -
Idaho....................| 39 | 43 | 24 | 5 | 6 | 5 | - | -
Illinois.................| 190 | 200 | 65 | 43 | 32 | 36 | 21 | 3
Indiana..................| 136 | 132 | 61 | 24 | 19 | 16 | 8 | 4
Iowa.....................| 57 | 76 | 42 | 3 | 14 | 5 | 8 | 4
Kansas...................| 89 | 78 | 41 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 4 | -
Kentucky.................| 146 | 145 | 77 | 12 | 25 | 11 | 10 | 9
Louisiana................| 103 | 95 | 39 | 9 | 28 | 5 | 12 | -
Maine....................| 30 | 23 | 9 | - | 7 | 3 | 4 | -
Maryland.................| 102 | 92 | 35 | 17 | 9 | 15 | 12 | 4
Massachusetts............| 46 | 77 | 27 | 8 | 12 | 24 | - | 3
Michigan.................| 152 | 151 | 57 | 22 | 30 | 17 | 21 | 3
Minnesota................| 81 | 72 | 30 | 9 | 18 | 11 | - | -
Mississippi..............| 94 | 100 | 42 | 20 | 14 | 7 | 13 | 3
Missouri.................| 175 | 154 | 86 | 16 | 20 | 17 | 12 | 3
Montana..................| 51 | 39 | 25 | 6 | 3 | 3 | - | -
Nebraska.................| 83 | 51 | 28 | 6 | 11 | - | 3 | -
Nevada...................| 47 | 52 | 21 | 8 | 11 | 8 | 4 | -
New Hampshire............| 19 | 19 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 3 | - | -
New Jersey...............| 129 | 104 | 41 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 7 | 3
New Mexico...............| 63 | 46 | 19 | 13 | 6 | 3 | - | 3
New York (including | | | | | | | |
N.Y.C.).................| 240 | 227 | 77 | 66 | 25 | 35 | 15 | 9
New York City..........| 100 | 94 | 12 | 43 | 9 | 14 | 9 | 7
North Carolina...........| 169 | 182 | 69 | 29 | 29 | 24 | 19 | 12
North Dakota.............| 25 | 26 | 16 | - | 6 | 3 | - | -
Ohio.....................| 202 | 206 | 86 | 28 | 32 | 23 | 28 | 9
Oklahoma.................| 92 | 100 | 50 | 16 | 17 | 5 | 5 | 6
Oregon...................| 63 | 75 | 43 | 4 | 13 | 5 | 6 | 3
Pennsylvania.............| 188 | 208 | 82 | 34 | 34 | 32 | 22 | 4
Rhode Island.............| 8 | 18 | - | - | 3 | - | - | 8
South Carolina...........| 107 | 114 | 38 | 27 | 20 | 13 | 13 | -
South Dakota.............| 36 | 28 | 12 | - | 12 | - | - | -
Tennessee................| 140 | 136 | 55 | 27 | 32 | 13 | 5 | 4
Texas....................| 417 | 491 | 201 | 90 | 70 | 52 | 51 | 27
Utah.....................| 52 | 54 | 34 | 5 | 9 | 3 | 3 | -
Vermont..................| 11 | 14 | 9 | - | 4 | - | - | -
Virginia.................| 142 | 155 | 57 | 24 | 27 | 24 | 16 | 7
Washington...............| 86 | 82 | 29 | 9 | 15 | 16 | 7 | 6
West Virginia............| 40 | 51 | 24 | - | 8 | 6 | 6 | 5
Wisconsin................| 91 | 103 | 33 | 14 | 26 | 20 | 8 | -
Wyoming..................| 33 | 37 | 26 | - | 4 | 3 | 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 September 17, 2003, reported a total of 5,524 fatal work injuries for
calendar year 2002. Since then, an additional 10 job-related fatalities were identified, bringing the
total job-related fatality count for 2002 to 5,534.
3 Includes 1 fatality 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, and rail fatalities, and fatalities resulting from being
struck by vehicles.
6 Includes violence by persons, self-inflicted injuries, and attacks by animals.
NOTE: 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 YorkCity,
District of Columbia, and federal agencies, Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries.
Table 6. CFOI participating agencies and telephone numbers
State Agency Telephone number
Alabama Department of Labor (334) 242-3460
Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development (907) 465-4539
Arizona Industrial Commission of Arizona (602) 542-3739
Arkansas Department of Labor (501) 682-4542
California Department of Industrial Relations (415) 703-4776
Colorado Department of Public Health (303) 692-2173
Connecticut Labor Department (860) 566-4380
Delaware Department of Labor (302) 761-8221
District of Columbia Center for Health Statistics (202) 442-5920
Florida Department of Financial Services (850) 413-1611
Georgia Department of Labor (404) 679-0687
Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (808) 586-9001
Idaho Industrial Commission (208) 334-6090
Illinois Department of Public Health (217) 558-1540
Indiana Department of Labor (317) 232-2668
Iowa Division of Labor Services (515) 281-5151
Kansas Department of Health and Environment (785) 296-1058
Kentucky Department of Labor (502) 564-3070 ext. 281
Louisiana Department of Labor (225) 342-3126
Maine Bureau of Labor Standards (207) 624-6440
Maryland Division of Labor and Industry (410) 767-2356
Massachusetts Department of Public Health (617) 988-3329
Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth (517) 322-1851
Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (651) 284-5568
Mississippi Department of Health (601) 576-7930
Missouri Department of Labor (573) 751-2454
Montana Department of Labor and Industry (406) 444-3297
Nebraska Workers' Compensation Court (402) 471-3547
Nevada Division of Industrial Relations (775) 684-7081
New Hampshire Department of Public Health (603) 271-4647
New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services (609) 984-1863
New Mexico Occupational Health and Safety Bureau (505) 827-4230
New York State Department of Health (518) 402-7900
New York City Department of Health (212) 788-4585
North Carolina Department of Labor (919) 733-0337
North Dakota U.S. Department of Labor (312) 353-7253
Ohio Department of Health (614) 466-4183
Oklahoma Department of Labor (405) 528-1500
Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services (503) 947-7367
Pennsylvania Department of Health (717) 783-2548
Rhode Island Department of Health (401) 222-2812
South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation (803) 896-7673
South Dakota U.S. Department of Labor (312) 353-7253
Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development (615) 741-1749
Texas Workers' Compensation Commission (512) 804-4637
Utah Labor Commission (801) 530-6823
Vermont Department of Labor and Industry (802) 828-5076
Virginia Department of Labor and Industry (804) 786-1035
Washington Department of Labor and Industries (360) 902-5512
West Virginia Department of Labor (304) 558-7890
Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (608) 266-7850
Wyoming Department of Employment, Research and Planning (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. 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
commute to or from work are excluded from the census counts.)
Data presented in this release include deaths occurring in 2003 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 2003, there were 79 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, which primarily affected self-employed workers, are
included in the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries counts. An additional 17 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 one year to update their initial published state counts.
This procedure ensures that fatality data are disseminated as quickly as possible and that
no legitimate case is 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 less than 20 fatalities per
year or less than 0.3 percent of the revised total. The BLS news release issued September 17,
2003, reported a total of 5,524 fatal work injuries for 2002. Since then, an additional 10
fatal work injuries were identified, bringing the total for 2002 to 5,534. Revised counts
for 2003 will be available in May 2005.
Beginning in 2004, BLS released final updated numbers earlier than in past years.
Previously, updated numbers were released along with the following year�s data in the
annual news release. Updated 2002 numbers were released on the BLS internet in the late
spring of 2004, or about 3 or 4 months earlier than in past years.
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 21 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.