There were 4764 fatal work injuries in 2020, the lowest number since 2013, for a fatal work injury rate of 3.4 deaths per 100,000 full-time workers, according to the latest US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This represents an 11% decrease from 2019 when there were 5333 fatal injuries.
The largest number of fatalities was in the construction sector with 1008 fatalities, followed by transportation and warehousing with 805, and agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting with 511. Notably 415 people died while working for the government.
The most dangerous work per capita is fishing and hunting with 132 fatalities per 100,000, followed by logging with 91.7 fatalities per 100,000 and roofing with 47 fatalities per 100,000.
The most frequent cause of death was transportation incidents with 1778 deaths, followed by falls, slips and trips with 805 deaths, contact with objects and equipment 716 deaths. Violence and injuries by persons and animals caused 672 worker deaths in 2020.
The state with the highest number of work related fatalities was Texas with 469 fatalities.
By Staff
