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WASHINGTON, DC
– The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Census of 2016 Fatal Occupational Injuries
reports there were 5,190 workplace fatalities in 2016, a 7-percent increase
from 2015. The fatal injury rate also increased from 3.4 per 100,000 full-time
equivalent workers in 2015 to 3.6 in 2016.
More workers lost their lives
in transportation incidents than any other event in 2016, accounting for about
one out of every four fatal injuries. Workplace violence injuries increased by
23 percent, making it the second most common cause of workplace fatality.
Today’s report also shows the number of overdoses on the job increased by 32
percent in 2016, and the number of fatalities has increased by at least 25
percent annually since 2012.
Loren Sweatt, Deputy
Assistant Secretary for OSHA, issued the following statement regarding the
report:
“Today’s occupational
fatality data show a tragic trend with the third consecutive increase in worker
fatalities in 2016 – the highest since 2008. America’s workers deserve
better.
“The Occupational Safety and
Health Administration is committed to finding new and innovative ways of
working with employers and employees to improve workplace safety and health.
OSHA will work to address these trends through enforcement, compliance
assistance, education and training, and outreach.
“As President Trump
recognized by declaring opioid abuse a Nationwide
Public Health Emergency, the nation’s opioid crisis is impacting
Americans every day at home and, as this data demonstrates, increasingly on the
job.
“The Department of Labor will work with public and private stakeholders to help
eradicate the opioid crisis as a deadly and growing workplace issue.”
Under the Occupational Safety
and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and
healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to ensure these
conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing
standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more
information, visit www.osha.gov.
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