The Numbers on Work Injuries and Fatalities in the United States | DENENA | POINTS
CALL
TEXT

The Numbers on Work Injuries and Fatalities in the United States

Houston workplace injury lawyers mention that the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) maintains an Injuries, Illnesses, and Fatalities (IIF) data program that you can consult to help understand your risks in your specific job. The IIF program tracks the annual numbers on rates and types of work injuries, work-related illnesses, and on the job fatalities. The program tracks this information and shows how the numbers vary by industry, location, particular occupation, type of incident, and other characteristics over time. The numbers show us not only when industries are improving (or relaxing) safety precautions, but also when various industries are declining in scope and importance within the United States.

Most of the BLS data comes through its Occupational Injury and Illness Classification System (OIICS). The System recently underwent comprehensive revisions for the first time since its inception in 1992. Recent numbers from 2010 reveal the following:

  • The 2010 rate of severe occupational injuries and illnesses stood at 118 cases per 10,000 full time workers. (Our Houston workplace injury lawyers note that much of the workforce is employed in part-time status, so this number does not account for their on the job injuries or illnesses.)
  • The 2010 total for recordable cases of nonfatal work injuries and illnesses was 3.5 cases per 100 workers.
  • The 2010 preliminary tally on fatal work injuries recorded 4,547 deaths, almost the same number as in 2009. But fatal work injuries caused by fires and explosions increased 65% in 2010.
  • Fatal work injuries to self-employed workers declined 6% to 999 deaths, which was greater than the decline in number of hours worked. But fatal injuries among hourly and salaries workers increased by 2%.
  • Fatal injuries to workers employed in the private mining industry increased 74% from 2009 to 2010 to 172 deaths. The Deepwater Horizon oilrig and Upper Big Branch Mine incident numbers are included in these fatalities.
  • Fatal work injuries in private construction declined by 10% and are down about 40% since 2006. (Our Houston workplace injury lawyers note that the pace of construction has also declined precipitously over the last several years.)
  • Fatal work injuries from fires more than doubled from 53 in 2009 to 109 in 2010, the highest count since meaningful statistics began to be kept in 2003.
  • Workplace homicides declined 7% in 2010 to the lowest total ever recorded in the worker fatality census. But work-related homicides involving women increased 13%.
  • Workplace suicides declined slightly in 2010 from their all-time high in 2009. The 2010 total remains the 3rd-highest number yet recorded.
  • Work-related fatalities among police officers rose by 40%: from 96 in 2009 to 134 in 2010.
  • Fatal workplace falls decreased by 2% in 2010, and are down about 25% from the recorded high of 847 in 2007. Fatal falls in the private construction sector decreased by 42% since 2007. And fatal injuries caused by being struck by heavy objects or equipment also declined by 4%.
  • Fatal on the job electrocutions declined in 2010, but deaths resulting from exposure to harmful substances or environments increased slightly.

Transportation-related fatal work accidents dcreased slightly in 2010, but still accounted for almost 2 out of 5 fatal work injuries. The updated 2010 data, to be released this spring, are expected to show somewhat higher numbers after a final tally is made. Learn the steps you need to take after you or a loved one experiences a serious transportation-related accident.Download our free book on the process of making a successful injury compensation claim after a truck accident. The book is available free on this webpage to our readers. Just click and download.