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Construction Deaths Fall 9%; Workplace Fatality Rate Drops
A total of 5,524 fatal work injuries were reported nationwide in 2002,
a decline of 6.6% when compared with 2001, according to data released
by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The overall fatality rate was a record
low of 4.0 per 100,000 workers in 2002, BLS said. The leading cause of
on-the-job death remained work-related highway crashes, although the number
of deaths in that category fell by 3% from 2001.
The only major fatality event recording an increase was exposure
to harmful substances or environments, which rose 8%. Some
of this rise was due to an increase in the number of fatalities involving
contact with
temperature extremes, such as heat stroke.
Industries with the highest fatality rates were mining, agriculture/forestry/fishing,
construction, and transportation/public utilities. Construction
trades reported 682 fatal workplace injuries in 2002, which
was the highest number
recorded by BLS for that group. Roofers, electricians, brick
masons, and painters were among the construction trades in
which deaths increased
in 2002.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics;
http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/cfoi.pdf
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