Workplace fatalities are always devastating for the friends and family members left behind. Unfortunately, this occurs more often than it should. Workplace fatalities often occur as a result of poisoning, faulty machinery, truck accidents, exposure to harmful substances, fires, falls, traffic and more. Though the number of workplace fatalities changes by occupation, industry, and state, accidents caused by transportation are incredibly common, as are fatalities related to the exposure of dangerous substances and construction accidents.
Regardless of your workplace, there is a chance of getting injured. Workers get injured or become ill, while some may even experience life-threatening conditions. If you lost a family member due to a workplace accident, contact us today to set up a free consultation.
How Often Do Workplace Fatalities Occur?
According to the International Labour Organization, 2.3 million people are victims of workplace fatalities annually worldwide.
Worldwide, about 340 million occupational accidents, including accidents leading to the death of victims, occur yearly. Some interesting statistics from ILO’s major findings on workplace fatalities include:
- Hazardous substances cause 651, 279 yearly deaths.
- The construction industry has the highest rate of recorded accidents.
Workplace Fatality by Occupation
According to The United States Bureau of Labour Statistics, in 2019, different occupations were assessed for their fatality rates. From this information, the top 10 occupations with the highest rate of workplace fatalities were collated.
The following is a list of those 10 occupations, including the number of deaths that occur per 100,000 workers.
- Fishers and fishing-related workers – 145
- Logging workers – 68.9
- Pilots and aerospace engineers – 61.8
- Roofers – 54
- Construction tradesmen – 40
- Refuse collectors – 35.2
- Drivers – 26.8
- Iron and steel workers – 26.3
- Farmers, ranchers, and farm managers – 23.2
- Grounds maintenance workers – 19.8
Based on this data, these occupations were then grouped by industries, so the industries with a high incidence of workplace fatalities can also be known.
Workplace Fatality By Industry
- Construction industry
- Transportation and warehousing industry
- Agriculture industry
- Government agencies
- Retail industry
- Leisure and hospitality industry
Workplace Fatality By State
Data from the National Safety Council shows all the workplace fatalities-related deaths in all states in the U.S. Below are the states with the 5 highest and states with the 5 least workplace fatalities in 2020.
States with the most workplace fatalities
- Texas – 469.
- California – 463.
- Florida – 275.
- New York – 223.
- Georgia – 193.
States with the least workplace fatalities
- Rhode Island – 5
- Delaware – 7
- Vermont – 8
- District of Columbia – 13
- New Hampshire -14
Texas accounted for most of the workplace deaths in the United States. This number can be attributed to its booming construction and oil and gas industries, which have been implicated as occupations with a high incidence of workplace fatalities.
If you lost a loved one due to a workplace-related injury, it’s important to contact a lawyer as soon as possible. Call us today to schedule an initial consultation. We will do everything we can to ensure you and your family receive the compensation you deserve.