Every year, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) provides a comprehensive report on workplace fatalities in the United States. The recently released report for 2022 sheds light on the trends, causes and industries most affected by these tragic incidents. Let's delve into some of the key highlights from this document.

Overview of workplace fatalities

There were 5,486 fatal work injuries recorded in the United States in 2022, a 5.7 percent increase from 5,190 in 2021, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics revealed in their most recent annual report. The fatal work injury rate was 3.7 fatalities per 100,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) workers, up from 3.6 per 100,000 FTE in 2021. These data are from the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI). The following are some key takeaways from the report:

• A worker died every 96 minutes from a work-related injury in 2022 compared to 101 minutes in 2021.
• Fatalities due to violence and other injuries by persons or animals increased 11.6 percent to 849 in 2022, compared to 761 in 2021. Homicides accounted for 61.7 percent of these fatalities, with 524 deaths, an 8.9 percent increase from 2021.
• Unintentional overdoses increased 13.1 percent to a series high of 525 fatalities in 2022, up from 464 in 2021, continuing a trend of annual increases since 2012.
• Workers in transportation and material moving occupations experienced 1,620 fatal work injuries in 2022 and represented the occupational group with the most fatalities. The next highest was construction and extraction workers with 1,056 fatalities, an 11.0-percent increase from 2021.
• Transportation incidents remained the most frequent type of fatal event accounting for 37.7 percent of all occupational fatalities. There were 2,066 fatal injuries from transportation incidents in 2022, a 4.2-percent increase from 1,982 in 2021.

The numbers by occupation

With a rate of 14.6 fatalities per 100,000 FTE workers, transportation and material moving occupations had the most fatalities in 2022 (1,620), up from 1,523 in 2021. The increase was due to fatalities to driver/sales workers and truck drivers increasing by 8.0 percent, from 1,032 fatalities in 2021 to 1,115 in 2022.

Workers in construction and extraction occupations had the second most fatalities (1,056) in 2022 compared to other occupation groups. Falls, slips, or trips were the events precipitating 423 of these fatalities. The fatality rate for this occupation group increased from 12.3 deaths per 100,000 FTE workers in 2021 to 13.0 in 2022.

Fatalities among protective service occupations increased 10.9 percent in 2022, rising to 335 from 302 in 2021. The rate for this occupational group increased to 10.2 fatalities per 100,000 FTE workers in 2022, up from 9.4 in 2021. Homicides (121) and suicides (17) accounted for 41.2 percent of these fatalities.

The number and rate of fatalities for installation, maintenance, and repair occupations decreased in 2022. The total fatalities decreased to 431 in 2022 from 475 in 2021 and the rate decreased to 8.8 fatalities per 100,000 FTE workers from 9.7 in 2021. Work fatalities among building and grounds cleaning and maintenance workers also decreased in 2022 to 352 from 356 in 2021. The 2022 rate was 7.4 and in 2021 it was 7.6.

Farming, fishing, and forestry occupations had the highest fatality rate (23.5 fatalities per 100,000 FTE workers) of all occupational groups in 2022, up from 20.0 in 2021.

Consider worker demographics

The fatal injury rate for Black or African American workers and for Hispanic or Latino workers increased from 2021 to 2022 with rates up from 4.0 to 4.2 and 4.5 to 4.6 per 100,000 FTE workers, respectively. The rates for these groups were both higher than the all-worker rate of 3.7.

Transportation incidents were the highest cause of fatalities within both groups, with 278 for Black or African American workers and 439 for Hispanic or Latino workers.

The second highest cause of fatalities to Black or African American workers was injuries due to violence and other injuries by persons or animals (199), while for Hispanic or Latino workers it was falls, slips, or trips (286).

Foreign-born Hispanic or Latino workers accounted for 63.5 percent (792) of total Hispanic or Latino worker fatalities (1,248). Fatalities in the construction industry accounted for 316 of the 792 foreign-born Hispanic or Latino worker deaths in 2022.

Black or African American fatalities accounted for 13.4 percent (734) of all fatalities in 2022 but represented 33.4 percent (175) of fatalities from homicides.

Similarly, women made up 8.1 percent (445) of all workplace fatalities but accounted for 15.3 percent (80) of homicides in 2022.

Workers in the 55 to 64 age group continued to have the highest number of fatalities in 2022 with 1,175 (21.4 percent of total fatalities), up from 1,140 in 2021. Transportation incidents were the highest cause of fatalities for this age group (455), followed by falls, slips, and trips (251).

Suicides and overdose deaths on the rise

Suicides increased 13.1 percent to 267 fatalities in 2022. This followed consecutive decreases in both 2020 and 2021.

Exposure to harmful substances or environments increased 5.1 percent in 2022 and led to 839 worker fatalities. This increase was largely due to the increase in unintentional overdoses which accounted for over 60 percent of fatalities in this category.

Weather-related deaths

Fatalities due to exposure to temperature extremes increased 18.6 percent in 2022, rising to 51 from 43 in 2021.  Fatalities specifically due to environmental heat were 43 in 2022, up from 36 in 2021.

Slips, trips and falls also increase

Almost a quarter (24.6 percent) of fatalities due to homicides occurred while a worker was tending a retail establishment or waiting on customers.

Fatalities due to contact with objects and equipment increased 4.7 percent from 705 fatalities in 2021 to 738 in 2022. This is the highest count for this event category since 2018. Machinery was the source of 199 fatalities within this category.

Work-related fatalities due to falls, slips, and trips increased 1.8 percent in 2022, resulting in 865 fatalities, up from 850 in 2021. Most fatalities in this category (80.9 percent) were due to falls to lower levels, which had 700 fatalities in 2022. This was a 2.9 percent increase from 680 fatalities in 2021.

Implications for policy and prevention

The insights provided by the BLS report underscore the critical need for continued investment in workplace safety initiatives. From regulatory enforcement to employer training programs, there are numerous avenues through which policymakers and stakeholders can collaborate to mitigate the risk of workplace fatalities and ensure the well-being of American workers.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the BLS report on workplace fatalities offers valuable insights into the state of occupational safety in the United States. By analyzing trends, identifying risk factors, and highlighting areas for improvement, this report serves as a crucial resource for shaping policies and practices aimed at preventing future tragedies in the workplace.

Understanding and acting upon the findings of this report is essential for fostering a culture of safety and protecting the lives of workers across the nation. As we move forward, let us commit to prioritizing workplace safety as a fundamental aspect of our collective responsibility to ensure a safer and healthier working environment for all.