The United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics is an independent federal agency that gathers, analyzes, and monitors statistics regarding working conditions, among other things.  One of its programs, the Injuries, Illnesses, and Fatalities program, provides annual information regarding work-related injuries, illnesses, and fatalities.  This annual information is compiled and released in a report known as the Census of Fatal Occupation Injuries.  More specifically, the program monitors how these events vary by factors including industry, occupation, and geography.

On August 22, 2013, the Bureau of Labor Statistics released its preliminary results of fatal work-place injuries for the calendar year 2012.  The Bureau will finalize the preliminary results in the Spring of 2014.  The results of the Report are discussed below, but a full copy of the Report can be accessed at http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/cfoi.pdf.

As the Report reflects, 4,383 fatalities occurred at the work place throughout the United States in 2012.  This number represents an overall decrease from 2011, in which 4,693 fatalities occurred.

Fatalities decreased among Caucasian and Hispanic workers, but increased among African-American and Asian workers.  Fatalities among the youngest workers—those under 16 years of age—dramatically increased, with 14 of the 19 deaths occurring in the agricultural industry.  Fatalities among older workers declined in 2012.

Transportation accidents accounted for over forty-percent of all fatalities, accounting for 1,789 deaths.  Over half of those accidents involved motor vehicle accidents.  125 fatalities occurred as a result of aircraft accidents.  Incidents of violence, including homicide and suicide, accounted for 767 fatalities, which occurred primarily as a result of shootings.  Falls, slips, and similar accidents lead to 668 deaths in 2012.  509 fatalities resulted from injuries sustained due to being struck objects or equipment.

Of all of the fatalities in 2012, 3,945 occurred in the private sector, which is a decline from 2011.  The decline occurred in both goods-producing and service industries.   The construction industry had the highest occurrence of fatalities, accounting for 775 fatalities.  This figure represents an increase over 2011, in which 738 fatalities occurred.  Specifically, drivers had the highest number of fatalities—741, followed by farmers and other agricultural workers—216, and construction laborers–210.  The transportation and warehousing industry had the second highest number of fatalities in the private sector, with 677 deaths resulting from this category of jobs.  This figure represents a ten percent decrease from 2011.  Fatalities in the private mining sector also increased in 2012, with fatalities in the oil and gas extraction sub-set reaching an all-time high of 138.

Fatalities among government workers decreased to 438 in 2012.   Many of these involved the occupation categorized as protective service occupations, including police officers and firefighters.

In 2011, the Census of Fatal Occupation Injuries began assessing fatalities occurring amongst contract workers.  In 2012, sixteen percent of all fatalities involved contract workers.  Falls, being struck by an object, and being hit by a vehicle were the three highest causes of fatalities amongst contract workers.

Geographically, Texas had the highest number of fatalities (433), followed by California (390), and Florida (226).  Mississippi had only 63 fatalities, but this was an increase over 2011, in which 60 deaths occurred.  Of these 63 fatalities, 22 involved transportation accidents; 13 involved acts of violence; 13 involved contact with equipment or an object; 7 involved falls, slips, or trips; and 3 involved exposure to harmful substances.

Barrett Law, PLLC has significant experience representing individuals injured or killed in the workplace in the Lexington, Mississippi, area.  If you or a family member has been injured as a result of a workplace accident or other act, please contact our office today to schedule an initial, no-cost consultation to discuss your rights.  We can be reached (800) 707-9577.