For release 10:00 a.m. (EDT) Thursday, August 25, 2011 USDL-11-1247 

Technical information: (202) 691-6170 • iifstaff@bls.gov • www.bls.gov/iif/oshcfoi1.htm

Media contact: (202) 691-5902 • PressOffice@bls.gov

NATIONAL CENSUS OF FATAL OCCUPATIONAL INJURIES IN 2010

(PRELIMINARY RESULTS)

A preliminary total of 4,547 fatal work injuries were recorded in the United States in 2010, about 

the same as the final count of 4,551 fatal work injuries in 2009, according to results from the 

Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) program conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Labor 

Statistics. The rate of fatal work injury for U.S. workers in 2010 was 3.5 per 100,000 full-time 

equivalent (FTE) workers, the same as the final rate for 2009. Over the last 3 years, increases in the 

published counts based on information received after the release of preliminary data have averaged 

174 fatalities per year or about 3 percent of the revised totals. Final 2010 CFOI data will be released 

in Spring 2012. 

Economic factors continue to play a role in the fatal work injury counts. Total hours worked were 

up slightly in 2010 in contrast to the declines recorded in both 2008 and 2009, but some historically 

high-risk industries continued to experience declines or slow growth in total hours worked. 

Key preliminary findings of the 2010 Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries: 

• The number of fatal work injuries among the self-employed declined by 6 percent to 999 

fatalities, more than the decline in their hours worked. The number of fatal injuries among 

wage and salary workers increased by 2 percent in 2010.

• Fatal work injuries in the private mining industry rose from 99 in 2009 to 172 in 2010, an 

increase of 74 percent. The fatal work injury rate for mining increased from 12.4 per 

100,000 FTEs in 2009 to 19.9 per 100,000 in 2010. The multiple-fatality incidents at the 

Upper Big Branch Mine and the Deepwater Horizon oil rig are included in these figures.

• Fatal work injuries in the private construction sector declined by 10 percent from 2009 to 

2010 and are down nearly 40 percent since 2006. 

• Work-related fatalities resulting from fires more than doubled from 53 in 2009 to 109 in 

2010--the highest count since 2003. 

• Workplace homicides declined 7 percent in 2010 to the lowest total ever recorded by the 

fatality census, but workplace homicides involving women increased by 13 percent.

• Fatal work injuries among non-Hispanic black or African-American workers declined by 9 

percent in 2010 while fatalities among non-Hispanic white workers were higher by 2 

percent. Fatal work injuries involving Hispanic or Latino workers were down 4 percent in 

2010. 

• The number of fatal workplace injuries among police officers increased by 40 percent, from 

96 in 2009 to 134 in 2010. 
2

Profile of 2010 fatal work injuries by type of incident 

The number of fatal work injuries resulting from fires and explosions rose from 113 in 2009 to 187 

in 2010, an increase of 65 percent. The increase was led by an increase of 106 percent in fatalities 

resulting from fires which rose from 53 in 2009 to 109 in 2010. Of the 187 fatalities involving fires 

and explosions, 82 occurred in multiple fatality incidents. 

 

Workplace homicides fell by 7 percent in 2010. The preliminary workplace homicide total for 2010 

(506 cases) represents a decline of more than 50 percent from the high of 1,080 homicides reported 

in 1994. (See Chart 1.) Despite the overall decline, workplace homicides involving women were up 

13 percent in 2010. Workplace suicides declined slightly from the series high of 263 cases in 2009 

to 258 cases in 2010. Even with the decline, the 2010 preliminary count of workplace suicides is the 

third highest annual total for the fatal work injury census. 

Fatal falls declined 2 percent in 2010 (from 645 in 2009 to 635 in 2010). Overall, fatal falls are 

down 25 percent from the series high of 847 fatal falls reported in 2007. Since 2007, fatal falls in 

the private construction industry have decreased by 42 percent. Fatal injuries resulting from being 

struck by objects or equipment were also lower, down 4 percent in 2010 to 402. Fatal work injuries 

involving exposure to harmful substances or environments were up slightly, but electrocutions 

declined.

1,158

1,242

1,343 1,3461,346

1,393

1,442

1,496

1,365

1,4091,3731,353

1,3981,437

1,356

1,414

1,215

985 968

1,044

1,074

1,0801,036

927

860

714

651

677

643

609

632

559 567 540

628

526

542 506

600 618 665 651 691 716

706

721 734

810

719 696

822 770

827 847

700

645 635

557 565 591 547 582 579

520

585 571 553 505 531

602 607 589

504 520

420 402

0

200

400

600

800

1,000

1,200

1,400

1,600

1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Highway incidents Homicides Falls Struck by object

Chart 1. Four most frequent work-related fatal injury events, 1992–2010*

*Data for 2010 are preliminary. Data for prior years are revised and final.

NOTE: Data from 2001 exclude fatal work injuries resulting from the September 11 terrorist attacks. Transportation counts are expected to rise when updated 2010 data are 

released in Spring 2012 because key source documentation on specific transportation-related incidents has not yet been received.

SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, 2011.

Number of fatal work injuries

Transportation incidents decreased slightly in 2010 relative to 2009, but still accounted for nearly 2 

out of every 5 fatal work injuries in 2010. Nonhighway incidents, such as an off-road tractor 

overturn, were higher in 2010 (up 4 percent) as were transportation incidents involving pedestrians 

and railways. Fatal occupational injuries involving water vehicle incidents and aircraft incidents 
3

were both lower in 2010. (Note that transportation counts presented in this release are expected to 

rise when updated 2010 data are released in Spring 2012 because key source documentation 

detailing specific transportation-related incidents has not yet been received.)

For more detailed information on fatal injuries by incident, see the 2010 tables at 

www.bls.gov/iif/oshcfoi1.htm. 

Profile of fatal work injuries in 2010 by industry sector 

Private sector mining fatalities were up 74 percent in 2010, increasing from 99 cases in 2009 to 172 

cases in 2010. Fatal work injuries were sharply higher both in mining activities other than oil and 

gas (up 110 percent) and also in support activities for mining (up 71 percent). Multiple-fatality 

incidents in this industry were a major factor in the increased fatality total in mining. The Upper Big 

Branch mining disaster claimed 29 workers and 11 workers died in the Deepwater Horizon oil rig 

explosion. 

*Data for 2010 are preliminary. 

NOTE: All industries shown are private with the exception of government, which includes fatalities to workers employed by governmental organizations regardless of industry. 

Fatal injury rates exclude workers under the age of 16 years, volunteers, and resident military. The number of fatal work injuries represents total published fatal injuries before 

the exclusions. For additional information on the fatal work injury rate methodology changes please see http://www.bls.gov/iif/oshnotice10.htm.

SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, 2011.

Manufacturing

Other services (exc. 

public admin.)

Professional and 

business services

Utilities

Wholesale trade

Leisure and hospitality 

Government

Construction

Mining

Agriculture, forestry, 

fishing, and hunting

Transportation and 

warehousing

Retail trade

Information

Educational and health 

services

Chart 2. Number and rate of fatal occupational injuries, by industry sector, 2010*

300 0 20

172

301

186

356

229

320

596

631

751

42

185

108

169

24

9.5

13.1

26.8

2.2

2.2

2.5

2.2

2.2

3.0

1.2

4.8

19.8

0.9

2.5

1.5

Financial activities

Fatal work injury rate Number of fatal work injuries (per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers)

900 600

477

10

Total fatal work injuries = 4,547

All-worker fatal injury rate = 3.5

30

The number of fatal work injuries in the private industry construction sector declined by 10 percent 

in 2010. Fatal work injuries in construction have declined every year since 2006 and are down 

nearly 40 percent over that time. Economic conditions may explain much of this decline with total 

hours worked having declined another 6 percent in construction in 2010, after declines in both 2008 

and 2009. Even with the lower fatal injury total, construction accounted for more fatal work injuries 

than any other industry in 2010. (See Chart 2.) 

Among service-providing industries in the private sector, fatal work injuries in transportation and 

warehousing accounted for 631 fatalities, about the same as the count in 2009 (633 fatalities). 

However, the number of fatal injuries in truck transportation, the largest subsector within 
4

transportation and warehousing in terms of employment, increased by 2 percent in 2010, led by a 17 

percent increase in specialized freight trucking. Among other transportation subsectors, fatal work 

injuries in air and rail transportation were higher, but fatalities in water transportation declined in 

2010. 

Fatal work injuries in the professional and business services sector were down 16 percent, led by a 

decline in fatalities in landscape services from 168 in 2009 to 130 in 2010. Fatal injuries in the 

educational and health service industries were higher by 13 percent. 

Fatal work injuries among government workers were up 3 percent in 2010, due largely to an 

increase in fatalities to state government workers (notably police protection workers) from 75 in 

2009 to 107 in 2010. Fatal work injuries incurred by local government workers were also higher in 

2010, but fatal injuries among federal government workers were lower (down 21 percent to 96 fatal 

work injuries in 2010).

For more detailed information on fatal injuries by industry, see the 2010 tables at 

www.bls.gov/iif/oshcfoi1.htm. 

Profile of fatal work injuries in 2010 by occupation 

Fatal work injuries in the construction and extraction occupations declined by 9 percent in 2010 to 

the lowest level since the series high reported in 2006. Construction trades worker fatalities were 

down 15 percent (from 621 in 2009 to 530 in 2010) and have declined 46 percent since 2006. Fatal 

work injuries involving construction laborers, the worker subgroup accounting for the highest 

number of fatalities in the construction trades worker group, were down by 16 percent in 2010 to 

193 fatal work injuries. In contrast, fatal work injuries involving extraction workers were up 

sharply, from 59 in 2009 to 91 in 2010 including a number of fatal work injuries from the Upper 

Big Branch Mine and Deepwater Horizon oil rig incidents. 

Fatal work injuries involving farming, fishing, and forestry workers increased by 9 percent in 2010. 

Fatalities involving agricultural workers, including farmworkers and laborers, rose from 127 in 

2009 to 156 in 2010. Fatalities among logging workers also increased in 2010 from 36 in 2009 to 59 

in 2010, but fatalities among fishers and related fishing workers declined. 

The number of fatal work injuries among protective service occupations increased by 6 percent in 

2010 after two years of declines. The increase was led by fatalities among police officers which rose 

40 percent from 96 to 134 in 2010. Of the 134 fatal work injuries among police officers, 57 

involved highway incidents and 48 involved homicides. Most other subgroups in the protective 

service occupational group declined in 2010. 

Fatal work injuries involving workers in transportation and material moving occupations were 

higher by 5 percent in 2010 and accounted for about one quarter of all occupational fatalities. 

Driver/sales workers and truck drivers, the subgroup with the highest number of fatal work injuries 

within the transportation and material moving group, led the increase. Fatalities in this subgroup 

rose from 647 in 2009 to 683 in 2010, an increase of 6 percent. 
5

Fatal work injuries involving resident military personnel decreased 44 percent in 2010 to 42 

fatalities.

*Data for 2010 are preliminary. 

NOTE: Fatal injury rates exclude workers under the age of 16 years, volunteers, and resident military. The number of fatal work injuries represents total published fatal injuries 

before the exclusions. For additional information on the fatal work injury rate methodology changes please see http://www.bls.gov/iif/oshnotice10.htm.

SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, 2011.

100

41.4

Chart 3. Occupations with high fatal work injury rates, 2010*

116.0

Logging workers 91.9

Aircraft pilots and flight 

engineers

Refuse and recyclable 

material collectors

Farmers and ranchers

Driver/sales workers and 

truck drivers

Fishers and related 

fishing workers

Roofers

Fatal work injury rate

(per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers) Number of fatal work injuries

70.6

500 50

Total fatal work injuries = 4,547

Industrial machinery installation, All-worker fatal injury rate = 3.5

repair, and maintenance workers

1,000 0 150

Mining machine operators

Police and sheriff's patrol officers

38.7

32.4

29.8

21.8

20.3

18.0

29

59

78

300

23

57

683

26

96

133

For more detailed information on fatal injuries by occupation, see the 2010 tables at 

www.bls.gov/iif/oshcfoi1.htm. 

Profile of fatal work injuries in 2010 by worker characteristics

The number of fatal work injuries rose 2 percent among non-Hispanic white workers in 2010, but 

were lower for both non-Hispanic black or African-American workers and for Hispanic or Latino 

workers. The largest decline was among non-Hispanic black or African-American workers who 

recorded 9 percent fewer fatalities in 2010 after a decline of 21 percent in 2009. With the lower 

count in 2010, fatal work injuries among black or African-American workers have decreased by 

more than a third (37 percent) since 2007. 

Fatal work injuries among Hispanic or Latino workers were down 4 percent in 2010 to the lowest 

level since 1997. Of the 682 fatal work injuries involving Hispanic or Latino workers, 427 (or 63 

percent) involved foreign-born workers. Overall, there were 774 fatal work injuries involving 

foreign-born workers in 2010, of which the greatest share (297 or 38 percent) were born in Mexico.

Total hours worked for wage and salary workers increased slightly in 2010, but declined by nearly 2 

percent for the self-employed. Fatal injuries to self-employed workers (the lowest annual total since 

the fatality census was first conducted in 1992) declined 6 percent from 2009 to 2010, while 

fatalities among wage and salary workers rose by 2 percent. 
6

Fatal work injuries incurred by women increased by 6 percent in 2010, but declined by 1 percent for 

men. Fatal work injuries increased for workers under 18 years of age, workers age 25 to 34, and for 

workers 55 years of age and older. All other age groups recorded lower numbers of fatalities.

Profile of fatal work injuries by state 

Twenty-seven states and the District of Columbia reported higher numbers of fatal work injuries in 

2010 than in 2009, while 23 states reported lower numbers. 

For more detailed state results, contact the individual state agency responsible for the collection of 

CFOI data in that state. Although data for Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Guam are not 

included in the national totals for this release, results for these jurisdictions are available. 

Participating agencies and their telephone numbers are listed in Table 6. 

Background of the program

The Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI), part of the BLS Occupational Safety and Health 

Statistics (OSHS) program, compiles a count of all fatal work injuries occurring in the U.S. during 

the calendar year. The CFOI program uses diverse state, federal, and independent data sources to 

identify, verify, and describe fatal work injuries. This assures counts are as complete and accurate 

as possible. For the 2010 data, over 18,000 unique source documents were reviewed as part of the 

data collection process.

Another OSHS program, the Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII), presents 

frequency counts and incidence rates by industry and also by detailed case circumstances and 

worker characteristics of nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses that result in days away from 

work. Incidence rates for 2010 by industry will be published in October 2011, and information on 

2010 case circumstances and worker characteristics will be available in November 2011. For 

additional data, access the BLS Internet site: www.bls.gov/iif/. For technical information about and 

definitions for the CFOI program, please go to the BLS Handbook of Methods on the BLS web site 

here: www.bls.gov/opub/hom/homch9_a1.htm. 
Table 1. Fatal occupational injuries by event or exposure, 2009-2010

Event or exposure1

Fatal injuries

20092 2010p

Number Percent

Total ................................................................................................................... 4,551 4,547 100

Transportation incidents ..................................................................................... 1,795 1,766 39

Highway ............................................................................................................. 985 968 21

Collision between vehicles, mobile equipment ............................................... 466 501 11

Moving in same direction ........................................................................... 117 119 3

Moving in opposite directions, oncoming ................................................... 184 182 4

Moving in intersection ................................................................................ 82 102 2

Vehicle struck object on side of road ............................................................. 255 244 5

Noncollision .................................................................................................... 240 195 4

Jack-knifed or overturned-no collision ........................................................ 202 173 4

Nonhighway (farm, industrial premises) ............................................................. 261 272 6

Overturned ................................................................................................. 133 154 3

Worker struck by a vehicle ................................................................................. 268 277 6

Railway accident ................................................................................................ 34 44 1

Water vehicle accident ....................................................................................... 86 52 1

Aircraft accident ................................................................................................. 159 151 3

Assaults and violent acts .................................................................................... 837 808 18

Homicides .......................................................................................................... 542 506 11

Shooting ......................................................................................................... 434 401 9

Stabbing ......................................................................................................... 49 34 1

Self-inflicted injuries ........................................................................................... 263 258 6

Contact with objects and equipment ................................................................. 741 732 16

Struck by object or equipment ............................................................................ 420 402 9

Struck by falling object or equipment ............................................................. 272 263 6

Struck by flying object or equipment .............................................................. 41 36 1

Caught in or compressed by equipment or objects ............................................ 233 224 5

Caught in running equipment or machinery ................................................... 114 90 2

Caught in or crushed in collapsing materials ..................................................... 80 91 2

Falls ....................................................................................................................... 645 635 14

Fall to lower level ............................................................................................... 538 515 11

Fall from ladder .............................................................................................. 127 129 3

Fall from roof .................................................................................................. 109 117 3

Fall from scaffold, staging .............................................................................. 54 44 1

Fall on same level .............................................................................................. 93 93 2

Exposure to harmful substances or environments .......................................... 404 409 9

Contact with electric current ............................................................................... 170 163 4

Contact with overhead power lines ................................................................ 63 76 2

Contact with temperature extremes ................................................................... 41 45 1

Exposure to caustic, noxious, or allergenic substances ..................................... 129 139 3

Inhalation of substance .................................................................................. 45 57 1

Oxygen deficiency .............................................................................................. 62 60 1

Drowning, submersion ................................................................................... 51 45 1

Fires and explosions ........................................................................................... 113 187 4

1 Based on the 2007 BLS Occupational Injury and Illness Classification Manual. Includes other events and

exposures, such as bodily reaction, in addition to those shown separately. 2 Totals for 2009 are revised and final. Preliminary 2009 data issued August 19, 2010, reported a total of 4,340

fatal work injuries for calendar year 2009. Since then, an additional 211 job-related fatal injuries were identified,

bringing the total job-related fatal injury count for 2009 to 4,551. p Data for 2010 are preliminary. Revised and final 2010 data are scheduled to be released in Spring 2012.

NOTE: Totals for major categories may include subcategories not shown separately. Percentages may not add to

totals because of rounding. CFOI fatality counts exclude illness-related deaths unless precipitated by an injury event.

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, in cooperation with State, New York City, District

of Columbia, and Federal agencies, Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries

7
Table 2. Fatal occupational injuries by industry and selected event or exposure, 2010p

Industry1 Fatal injuries Selected event or exposure2

(percent of total for industry)

Number Percent Highway3 Homicides Falls Struck by object

Total ............................................................................................. 4,547 100 21 11 14 9

Private industry ............................................................................... 4,070 90 21 10 15 9

Goods producing ........................................................................... 1,839 40 13 2 19 13

Natural resources and mining .................................................... 768 17 14 1 5 17

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting ..................................... 596 13 12 1 5 18

Crop production ....................................................................... 312 7 12 1 6 16

Animal production .................................................................... 151 3 10 – 7 11

Forestry and logging ................................................................ 70 2 17 – – 54

Mining4 ........................................................................................ 172 4 23 – 6 15

Mining, except oil and gas ....................................................... 61 1 – – – 13

Support activities for mining .................................................... 99 2 35 – 7 16

Construction ................................................................................ 751 17 11 1 35 8

Construction ................................................................................ 751 17 11 1 35 8

Construction of buildings ......................................................... 157 3 7 2 50 9

Heavy and civil engineering construction ................................ 143 3 16 – 9 10

Specialty trade contractors ...................................................... 430 9 11 1 37 8

Manufacturing .............................................................................. 320 7 16 4 13 15

Manufacturing .............................................................................. 320 7 16 4 13 15

Food manufacturing ................................................................. 53 1 21 9 21 –

Fabricated metal product manufacturing ................................. 47 1 11 – 21 26

Service providing .......................................................................... 2,231 49 26 18 11 6

Trade, transportation, and utilities ............................................ 1,141 25 36 17 8 6

Wholesale trade ........................................................................... 185 4 32 12 8 13

Merchant wholesalers, durable goods ..................................... 87 2 32 9 – 22

Merchant wholesalers, nondurable goods ............................... 91 2 31 15 11 4

Retail trade .................................................................................. 301 7 14 45 12 5

Motor vehicle and parts dealers .............................................. 45 1 31 22 9 11

Food and beverage stores ....................................................... 79 2 5 72 8 –

Transportation and warehousing ................................................. 631 14 48 6 6 5

Truck transportation ................................................................. 396 9 64 1 7 6

Transit and ground passenger transportation .......................... 62 1 35 45 5 –

Utilities ......................................................................................... 24 1 17 – – –

Information ................................................................................... 42 1 45 – 12 –

Financial activities ....................................................................... 108 2 14 30 20 –

Finance and insurance ................................................................ 23 1 17 30 30 –

Real estate and rental and leasing .............................................. 85 2 13 29 18 –

Professional and business services .......................................... 356 8 17 6 18 12

Professional and technical services ............................................ 76 2 21 – 9 4

Administrative and waste services .............................................. 280 6 16 6 20 14

Educational and health services ................................................ 169 4 20 13 16 –

Educational services .................................................................... 30 1 – – 20 –

Health care and social assistance ............................................... 139 3 23 14 15 –

Leisure and hospitality ............................................................... 229 5 10 35 10 3

Arts, entertainment, and recreation ............................................. 79 2 13 8 10 6

Accommodation and food services .............................................. 150 3 9 50 11 –

Other services, except public administration ........................... 186 4 17 23 11 10

Government5 ................................................................................... 477 10 27 17 8 4

Federal government ........................................................................ 96 2 21 11 5 5

State government ............................................................................ 107 2 25 18 5 –

Local government ............................................................................ 267 6 30 20 10 5

1 Based on the 2007 North American Industry Classification System. 2 Based on the 2007 BLS Occupational Injury and Illness Classification Manual. The figure shown is the percent of the total fatal injuries for that industry group. 3 "Highway" includes deaths to vehicle occupants resulting from traffic incidents that occur on the public roadway, shoulder, or surrounding area. It excludes incidents

occurring entirely off the roadway, such as in parking lots and on farms; incidents involving trains; and deaths to pedestrians or other nonpassengers. 4 Includes fatal injuries at all establishments categorized as Mining (Sector 21) in the North American Industry Classification System, 2007, including establishments not

governed by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) rules and reporting, such as those in Oil and Gas Extraction. 5 Includes fatal injuries to workers employed by governmental organizations regardless of industry. p Data for 2010 are preliminary. Revised and final 2010 data are scheduled to be released in Spring 2012.

NOTE: Totals for major categories may include subcategories not shown separately. Percentages may not add to totals because of rounding. Dashes indicate no data

reported or data that do not meet publication criteria. CFOI fatality counts exclude illness-related deaths unless precipitated by an injury event. There were zero fatal injuries

for which there was insufficient information to determine a specific industry classification.

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, in cooperation with State, New York City, District of Columbia, and Federal agencies, Census of Fatal

Occupational Injuries

8
Table 3. Fatal occupational injuries by occupation and selected event or exposure, 2010p

Occupation1

Fatal injuries Selected event or exposure2

(percent of total for occupation)

Number Percent Highway3 Homicides Falls Struck by

object

Total ................................................................................................................... 4,547 100 21 11 14 9

Management occupations ................................................................................... 533 12 14 10 9 12

Top executives ................................................................................................... 29 1 21 10 – –

Operations specialties managers ....................................................................... 34 1 18 9 21 12

Other management occupations ........................................................................ 463 10 12 10 9 13

Business and financial operations occupations ............................................... 25 1 28 – 16 –

Computer and mathematical occupations ......................................................... 11 4( )– – – –

Architecture and engineering occupations ....................................................... 51 1 25 – 12 –

Engineers ........................................................................................................... 32 1 31 – 12 –

Life, physical, and social science occupations ................................................ 28 1 11 – – –

Community and social services occupations ................................................... 24 1 58 12 12 –

Legal occupations ................................................................................................ 9 4( )– – – –

Education, training, and library occupations .................................................... 30 1 17 33 23 –

Arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media occupations .......................... 53 1 19 6 17 –

Entertainers and performers, sports and related workers .................................. 36 1 19 – 11 –

Healthcare practitioners and technical occupations ........................................ 65 1 15 11 6 –

Health diagnosing and treating practitioners ...................................................... 41 1 15 10 7 –

Health technologists and technicians ................................................................. 24 1 17 12 – –

Healthcare support occupations ........................................................................ 17 4( ) 24 29 – –

Protective service occupations .......................................................................... 258 6 31 37 3 2

Fire fighting and prevention workers .................................................................. 27 1 33 – 11 –

Law enforcement workers .................................................................................. 145 3 41 37 – 2

Other protective service workers ........................................................................ 63 1 11 56 – –

Food preparation and serving related occupations ......................................... 60 1 7 40 18 –

Supervisors, food preparation and serving workers ........................................... 21 4() – 24 – –

Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations ...................... 226 5 8 5 25 16

Building cleaning and pest control workers ........................................................ 45 1 9 20 24 –

Grounds maintenance workers .......................................................................... 141 3 10 – 21 21

Personal care and service occupations ............................................................. 65 1 11 25 6 –

Sales and related occupations ........................................................................... 274 6 16 48 9 4

Supervisors, sales workers ................................................................................ 140 3 10 48 8 7

Retail sales workers ........................................................................................... 86 2 7 62 10 –

Sales representatives, services ......................................................................... 9 4( ) 67– – –

Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing ........................................ 17 4( ) 76– – –

Office and administrative support occupations ................................................ 68 1 31 16 15 4

Material recording, scheduling, dispatching, and distributing workers ............... 29 1 28 17 10 10

Farming, fishing, and forestry occupations ...................................................... 260 6 11 1 6 20

Agricultural workers ............................................................................................ 156 3 12 – 10 6

Fishing and hunting workers .............................................................................. 30 1 – – – –

Forest, conservation, and logging workers ........................................................ 60 1 12 – – 67

Construction and extraction occupations ......................................................... 760 17 9 1 33 9

Supervisors, construction and extraction workers .............................................. 110 2 18 – 25 14

Construction trades workers .............................................................................. 530 12 7 1 40 7

Extraction workers .............................................................................................. 91 2 10 – 10 20

Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations ........................................... 351 8 11 6 17 17

Vehicle and mobile equipment mechanics, installers, and repairers ................. 121 3 13 10 5 32

Other installation, maintenance, and repair occupations ................................... 190 4 8 3 23 9

Production occupations ...................................................................................... 222 5 7 8 14 13

Supervisors, production workers ........................................................................ 35 1 9 14 17 –

Metal workers and plastic workers ..................................................................... 68 1 7 – 12 24

Transportation and material moving occupations ............................................ 1,115 25 45 7 6 5

Air transportation workers .................................................................................. 78 2 – – – –

Motor vehicle operators ...................................................................................... 767 17 62 7 5 4

Water transportation workers ............................................................................. 19 4( )– – – –

Material moving workers .................................................................................... 200 4 6 6 15 11

Military occupations5 .......................................................................................... 42 1 – – – 7

1 Based on the 2000 Standard Occupational Classification system. 2 Based on the 2007 BLS Injury and Illness Classification Manual. The figure shown is the percent of the total fatal injuries for that occupation group. 3 "Highway" includes deaths to vehicle occupants resulting from traffic incidents that occur on the public roadway, shoulder, or surrounding area. It excludes incidents

occurring entirely off the roadway, such as in parking lots and on farms; incidents involving trains; and deaths to pedestrians or other non passengers. 4 Less than or equal to 0.5 percent. 5 Includes fatal injuries to persons identified as resident armed forces regardless of individual occupation listed. p Data for 2010 are preliminary. Revised and final 2010 data are scheduled to be released in Spring 2012.

NOTE: Totals for major categories may include subcategories not shown separately. Percentages may not add to totals because of rounding. Dashes indicate no data

reported or data that do not meet publication criteria. CFOI fatality counts exclude illness-related deaths unless precipitated by an injury event. There were zero fatal

injuries for which there was insufficient information to determine a specific occupation classification.

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, in cooperation with State, New York City, District of Columbia, and Federal agencies, Census of Fatal

Occupational Injuries

9
Table 4. Fatal occupational injuries by selected worker characteristics and selected event or exposure, 2010p

Characteristic

Fatal injuries Selected event or exposure1

(percent of total for characteristic category)

Number Percent Highway2 Homicides Falls Struck by

object

Total ..................................................................................................... 4,547 100 21 11 14 9

Employee status

Wage and salary3 ................................................................................ 3,548 78 24 10 14 8

Self-employed4 .................................................................................... 999 22 11 14 14 13

Sex

Men ...................................................................................................... 4,192 92 21 10 14 9

Women ................................................................................................ 355 8 27 26 13 2

Age5

Under 16 years .................................................................................... 16 6( ) 19 – – –

16-17 years .......................................................................................... 19 6( ) 21 – – –

18-19 years .......................................................................................... 53 1 15 11 6 8

20-24 years .......................................................................................... 240 5 19 12 9 10

25-34 years .......................................................................................... 756 17 24 12 9 8

35-44 years .......................................................................................... 849 19 19 13 11 9

45-54 years .......................................................................................... 1,124 25 22 11 16 7

55-64 years .......................................................................................... 921 20 22 11 18 9

65 years and older ............................................................................... 565 12 20 7 18 12

Race or ethnic origin7

White ................................................................................................... 3,279 72 22 8 14 10

Black or African-American ................................................................... 384 8 27 26 9 5

Hispanic or Latino ................................................................................ 682 15 15 13 18 9

American Indian or Alaska Native ....................................................... 31 1 23 – 16 –

Asian .................................................................................................... 136 3 15 43 8 2

Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander ..................................................... 5 6() – – – –

Multiple races ...................................................................................... 7 6( ) – 43 43 –

Other or not reported ........................................................................... 23 1 17 13 13 –

1 Based on the 2007 BLS Occupational Injury and Illness Classification Manual. The figure shown is the percent of the total fatal injuries for that

demographic group. 2 "Highway" includes deaths to vehicle occupants resulting from traffic incidents that occur on the public roadway, shoulder, or surrounding area. It

excludes incidents occurring entirely off the roadway, such as in parking lots and on farms; incidents involving trains; and deaths to pedestrians or other

nonpassengers. 3 May include volunteers and workers receiving other types of compensation. 4 Includes self-employed workers, owners of unincorporated businesses and farms, paid and unpaid family workers, members of partnerships, and

may include owners of incorporated businesses. 5 There were 4 fatal injuries for which there was insufficient information to determine the age of the decedent. 6 Less than or equal to 0.5 percent. 7 Persons identified as Hispanic or Latino may be of any race. The race categories shown exclude Hispanic and Latino workers. p Data for 2010 are preliminary. Revised and final 2010 data are scheduled to be released in Spring 2012.

NOTE: Totals for major categories may include subcategories not shown separately. Percentages may not add to totals because of rounding. Dashes

indicate no data reported or data that do not meet publication criteria. CFOI fatality counts exclude illness-related deaths unless precipitated by an injury

event.

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, in cooperation with State, New York City, District of Columbia, and Federal agencies,

Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries

10
Table 5. Fatal occupational injuries by state and event or exposure, 2009-2010

State of injury

Total fatal injuries1 Event or exposure4

2010

20092

(revised) 20103,p

Transportation

incidents5

Assaults

and violent

acts6

Contact with

objects and

equipment

Falls

Exposure to

harmful substances or

environments

Fires and

explosions

Total .................................................................................... 4,551 4,547 1,766 808 732 635 409 187

Alabama .................................................................................. 75 86 30 20 16 13 4 –

Alaska ...................................................................................... 17 39 24 4 5 – 4 –

Arizona .................................................................................... 76 75 27 24 8 9 7 –

Arkansas ................................................................................. 75 87 40 9 13 12 12 –

California ................................................................................. 409 302 91 73 43 59 26 10

Colorado .................................................................................. 83 80 27 21 15 11 3 3

Connecticut ............................................................................. 34 49 11 17 3 5 4 8

Delaware ................................................................................. 7 8 5 – – – – –

District of Columbia ................................................................. 11 16 – 7 – 5 – –

Florida ..................................................................................... 245 215 88 46 19 32 28 –

Georgia .................................................................................... 110 82 18 23 16 15 6 4

Hawaii ...................................................................................... 13 19 8 5 – 4 – –

Idaho ....................................................................................... 27 33 20 – 6 – 4 –

Illinois ...................................................................................... 158 203 72 38 39 31 15 7

Indiana ..................................................................................... 125 115 54 13 19 17 8 4

Iowa ......................................................................................... 80 75 43 6 15 7 4 –

Kansas .................................................................................... 76 84 38 4 16 11 6 9

Kentucky .................................................................................. 101 68 30 3 20 7 4 4

Louisiana ................................................................................. 140 104 40 12 14 11 12 15

Maine ....................................................................................... 16 19 12 – 3 3 – –

Maryland .................................................................................. 65 69 22 17 12 12 3 –

Massachusetts ........................................................................ 64 51 14 12 4 15 5 –

Michigan .................................................................................. 94 141 42 35 22 22 17 –

Minnesota ................................................................................ 61 69 25 13 17 10 4 –

Mississippi ............................................................................... 67 68 35 9 7 10 6 –

Missouri ................................................................................... 142 107 60 13 14 14 6 –

Montana .................................................................................. 52 36 19 7 3 3 3 –

Nebraska ................................................................................. 57 54 22 6 8 8 9 –

Nevada .................................................................................... 24 28 4 9 7 6 – –

New Hampshire ....................................................................... 6 5 – – – – – –

New Jersey .............................................................................. 99 78 31 17 5 13 11 –

New Mexico ............................................................................. 42 38 12 10 – 6 6 –

New York (including N.Y.C.) .................................................... 185 182 54 45 31 28 15 8

New York City ...................................................................... 63 68 7 29 5 16 8 3

North Carolina ......................................................................... 129 134 43 31 23 22 15 –

North Dakota ........................................................................... 25 30 15 – 8 5 – –

Ohio ......................................................................................... 137 156 61 28 38 12 13 4

Oklahoma ................................................................................ 82 91 40 7 17 9 11 7

Oregon .................................................................................... 66 45 18 11 8 4 4 –

Pennsylvania ........................................................................... 168 219 78 39 36 46 13 7

Rhode Island ........................................................................... 7 9 – 4 – – – –

South Carolina ......................................................................... 73 65 29 12 4 11 6 3

South Dakota ........................................................................... 24 36 19 – 10 5 – –

Tennessee ............................................................................... 111 137 50 15 31 21 13 5

Texas ....................................................................................... 482 456 196 74 64 50 53 18

Utah ......................................................................................... 48 42 15 7 8 8 4 –

Vermont ................................................................................... 12 13 7 – 3 – – –

Virginia .................................................................................... 119 104 54 17 13 9 9 –

Washington ............................................................................. 76 104 40 17 21 9 8 7

West Virginia ........................................................................... 41 95 32 – 14 5 8 34

Wisconsin ................................................................................ 94 91 28 12 26 12 8 5

Wyoming ................................................................................. 19 34 18 8 4 – 3 –

1 State totals include other events and exposures, such as bodily reaction, in addition to those shown separately. 2 Totals for 2009 are revised and final. Preliminary 2009 data issued August 19, 2010, reported a total of 4,340 fatal work injuries for calendar year 2009. Since then, an

additional 211 job-related fatal injuries were identified, bringing the total job-related fatal injury count for 2009 to 4,551. Includes two fatal injuries that occurred within the

territorial boundaries of the United States, but a State of incident could not be determined. 3 Includes one fatal injury that occurred within the territorial boundaries of the United States, but a State of incident could not be determined.

4 Based on the 2007 BLS Occupational Injury and Illness Classification Manual. 5 Includes highway, nonhighway, air, water, rail fatal injuries, and fatal injuries resulting from being struck by a vehicle. 6 Includes violence by persons, self-inflicted injuries, and attacks by animals. p Data for 2010 are preliminary. Revised and final 2010 data are scheduled to be released in Spring 2012.

 NOTE: Dashes indicate no data reported or data that do not meet publication criteria. CFOI fatality counts exclude illness-related deaths unless precipitated by an injury

event.

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, in cooperation with State, New York City, District of Columbia, and Federal agencies, Census of Fatal

Occupational Injuries

11
12 

Table 6. CFOI participating agencies and telephone numbers

State Agency Telephone number

Alabama Department of Labor (334) 242-3463

Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development (907) 465-4539

Arizona Industrial Commission (602) 542-3739

Arkansas Department of Labor (501) 682-4542

California Department of Industrial Relations (510) 286-0702

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (303) 692-2170

Connecticut Labor Department (860) 263-6933

Delaware Department of Labor (302) 761-8219

Dist. of Columbia Department of Health (202) 442-9010

Florida Bureau of Labor Statistics – Atlanta Region (404) 893-8339

Georgia Department of Labor (404) 679-1656

Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (808) 586-9001

Idaho Industrial Commission (208) 334-6090

Illinois Department of Public Health (312) 814-8194

Indiana Department of Labor (317) 232-2668

Iowa Division of Labor Services (515) 281-5151

Kansas Department of Labor (785) 296-1640

Kentucky Labor Cabinet (502) 564-4136

Louisiana Workforce Commission (225) 342-3126

Maine Bureau of Labor Standards (207) 623-7904 

Maryland Division of Labor and Industry (410) 527-4463

Massachusetts Department of Public Health (617) 624-5679

Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (517) 322-1851

Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (651) 284-5568

Mississippi Department of Health (601) 576-7186

Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (573) 751-2719

Montana Department of Labor and Industry (406) 444-3297

Nebraska Workers' Compensation Court (402) 471-3547

Nevada Division of Industrial Relations (775) 684-7083 

New Hampshire Division of Vital Records Administration (603) 271-4647

New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services (609) 826-4984

New Mexico Occupational Health and Safety Bureau (505) 476-8740

New York State Department of Health (518) 402-7900

New York City Department of Health (212) 788-4584

North Carolina Department of Labor (919) 733-0337

North Dakota Bureau of Labor Statistics – Chicago Region (312) 353-7200 ext. 410

Ohio Department of Health (614) 644-0135

Oklahoma Department of Labor (405) 521-6855

Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services (503) 947-7364

Pennsylvania Department of Health (717) 783-2548

Rhode Island Department of Health (401) 222-2812

South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation (803) 896-7673

South Dakota Bureau of Labor Statistics – Chicago Region (312) 353-7200 ext. 410

Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development (615) 741-1749

Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers' Compensation (512) 804-4658 

Utah Occupational Safety and Health Statistics (801) 530-6823

Vermont Department of Labor (802) 828-5985

Virginia Department of Labor and Industry (804) 786-1035

Washington Department of Labor and Industries (360) 902-5510 

West Virginia Bureau of Labor Statistics – Philadelphia Region (215) 861-5637

Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene (608) 221-6294

Wyoming Department of Employment (307) 473-3804

Guam Department of Labor (671) 475-7056

Puerto Rico Negociado de Estadisticas (787) 754-5300 ext.3056

Virgin Islands Department of Labor (340) 776-3700 ext. 2135
13

TECHNICAL NOTES

Identification and verification of work-related fatalities

In 2010, there were 20 cases included for which work relationship could not be independently verified; 

however, the information on the initiating source document for these cases was sufficient to determine 

that the incident was likely to be job-related. Data for these fatalities are included in the Census of Fatal 

Occupational Injuries counts. An additional 66 fatalities submitted by states were not included because 

the source documents had insufficient information to determine work relationship and could not be 

verified by either an independent source document or a follow-up questionnaire. 

States may identify additional fatal work injuries after data collection closeout for a reference year. In 

addition, other fatalities excluded from the published count because of insufficient information to 

determine work relationship may subsequently be verified as work related. States have up to 7 months 

from this release to update their initial published state counts. This procedure ensures that fatality data 

are disseminated as quickly as possible and that legitimate cases are not excluded from the final counts. 

Thus, each year's initial release of data should be considered preliminary. Final data are released in the 

Spring of the following year; revised counts for 2010 will be available in 2012. 

Over the last 3 years, increases in the published counts based on additional information have averaged 

174 fatalities per year or about 3 percent of the revised total. The BLS news release issued August 19, 

2010 reported a total of 4,340 fatal work injuries for 2009. With the May 2011 release of final data, an 

additional 211 net fatal work injuries were added, bringing the total for 2009 to 4,551. 

Federal/State agency coverage

The Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries includes data for all fatal work injuries, whether the decedent 

was working in a job covered by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) or other 

federal or state agencies or was outside the scope of regulatory coverage. Thus, any comparison between 

the BLS fatality census counts and those released by other agencies should take into account the 

different coverage requirements and definitions being used by each agency. 

Acknowledgements

BLS thanks the participating states, New York City, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin 

Islands, and Guam for their efforts in collecting accurate, comprehensive, and useful data on fatal work 

injuries. BLS also appreciates the efforts of all federal, state, local, and private sector entities that 

submitted source documents used to identify fatal work injuries. Among these agencies are the 

Occupational Safety and Health Administration; the National Transportation Safety Board; the U.S. 

Coast Guard; the Mine Safety and Health Administration; the Office of Workers’ Compensation 

Programs (Federal Employees' Compensation and Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation 

divisions); the Federal Railroad Administration; the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration; 

state vital statistics registrars, coroners, and medical examiners; state departments of health, labor and 

industries, and workers' compensation agencies; state and local police departments; and state farm 

bureaus.