United States 

Department 

of Labor 

Bureau of Labor Statistics Washington, D.C. 20212 

1 

Technical information: (202) 691-6175 USDL 04-1830 

Media information: (202) 691-5902 FOR RELEASE: 10 a.m. EDT 

Internet address: http://www.bls.gov/iif/oshcfoi1.htm Wednesday, September 22, 2004 

NATIONAL CENSUS OF FATAL OCCUPATIONAL INJURIES IN 2003 

 A total of 5,559 fatal work injuries were recorded in the U.S. in 2003, a small 

increase from the revised total of 5,534 fatal work injuries reported for 2002, according to 

the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 

U.S. Department of Labor. Despite the increase, fatal work injuries for both 2003 and 

2002 were the lowest ever recorded by the fatality census, which has been conducted 

each year since 1992. The rate at which fatal work injuries occurred in 2003 was 4.0 

fatalities per 100,000 workers, unchanged from the rate reported for 2002. 

Profile of 2003 fatal work injuries by type of incident 

 Fatal work injuries resulting from highway incidents, falls, and electrocutions were 

all lower in 2003 than in 2002, while fatal injuries involving homicides, fires and 

explosions, and being struck by objects increased. 

 Fatal highway incidents were down in 2003 for the second consecutive year, but 

continued to account for the highest number of fatal work injuries. The 1,350 fatal 

highway incidents recorded in 2003 accounted for about one out of every four fatal work 

injuries. Incidents involving workers struck by vehicles or mobile equipment also were 

down in 2003, but the number of fatal work injuries involving nonhighway transportation 

incidents (such as those that might occur on a farm or industrial premises) and aircraftrelated incidents were both higher. 

Note on industry and occupation classifications: Beginning with the 2003 reference 

year, CFOI began using the 2002 North American Industry Classification System 

(NAICS) for industries and the Standard Occupational Classification system (SOC) for 

occupations. Prior to 2003, the program used the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) 

system and the Bureau of the Census occupational classification system. Because of the 

substantial differences between the current and previous systems, the results by industry 

and occupation in 2003 constitute a break in series, and users are advised against making 

comparisons between the 2003 industry and occupation categories and the results for 

previous years. 
2 

 The number of workplace homicides was higher in 2003—the first increase since 

2000. Despite the higher total, the 631 workplace homicides recorded in 2003 

represented a 42 percent decline from the high of 1,080 workplace homicides recorded in 

1994. Workplace suicides also were higher in 2003. 

 Fatal work injuries involving falls declined in 2003. The 691 fatal falls recorded in 

2003 was the lowest total since 1996. The number of electrocutions also was lower. The 

246 electrocutions in 2003 represented a decline of 15 percent from the 2002 total and 

reflected a series low. 

 The 198 fatal work injuries resulting from fires and explosions in 2003 was 20 

percent higher than the total recorded in 2002. Fatalities from being struck by objects 

also were higher in 2003, led by increases in worker deaths due to being struck by a 

falling or flying object. 

The three most frequent work-related fatal events, 1992-2003

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

Highway incidents Homicides Falls

600 618 665 651 691

716 706

721 734 1,044 1,074

1,080 1,036 927

860

714

651 677

1,158 1,242

1,343 1,346 1,346 1,393 1,442 1,496 1,365

Number of fatalities

NOTE: Data from 2001 exclude fatalities resulting from September 11 terrorist attacks.

SOURCE: US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, 2003.

1,409

810

609

1,373

719

631

1,350

691

643

 Profile of fatal work injuries by private industry 

 The largest number of fatal work injuries in 2003 was in the construction sector 

(NAICS 23). The 1,126 fatal work injuries in private construction accounted for more 

than one out of every five fatalities in 2003. Specialty trade contractors (NAICS 238) 

recorded 626 fatalities or about 56 percent of the construction total. Another 226 

construction workers were fatally injured while working in building construction (NAICS 

236) including 128 fatalities in residential building construction (NAICS 2361). Heavy 
3 

and civil engineering construction (NAICS 237) reported 247 fatal work injuries or about 

22 percent of the construction total. 

 The transportation and warehousing sector (NAICS 48-49) accounted for 805 fatal 

work injuries or about 16 percent of the private industry total in 2003. Truck 

transportation (NAICS 484) recorded 517 fatal work injuries or nearly two-thirds of the 

transportation and warehousing total. 

 Agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting (NAICS 11) recorded 707 fatal work 

injuries, the third highest among NAICS sectors. Nearly half (47 percent) of the 

agriculture fatalities were in crop production (NAICS 111). 

 While private construction had the highest number of fatalities of any sector, the 

highest fatality rate was in agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting (31.2 fatalities per 

100,000 workers). The second highest rate was in the mining sector (26.9 per 100,000), 

followed by transportation and warehousing (17.5 per 100,000) and construction (11.7 

per 100,000). 

1250 1000 750 500 250 0 10 20

143

343

194

416

274

452

532

707

805

1,126

32

191

141

130

64

11.7

17.5

31.2

2.5

3.3

2.5

2.1

2.4

2.8

4.2

0.8

26.9

1.4

1.8

3.7

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

Number and rate of fatal occupational injuries by industry sector, 2003

30 40

Financial activities

Rate = (Fatal work injuries/Employment) x 100,000 employed. Employment data extracted from the 2003 Current Population 

Survey (CPS). The fatality rates were calculated using employment as the denominator; employment-based rates measure the risk 

for those employed during a given period of time, regardless of exposure hours.

SOURCE: US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, 2003.

Number of fatalities Fatality rate (per 100,000 employed)
4 

Profile of fatal work injuries by occupation 

 Transportation and material moving occupations (SOC 53) recorded 1,388 fatalities 

in 2003, the most of any major occupational group. Over half of the fatalities in this 

group involved drivers of heavy trucks or tractor trailers (SOC 53-3032). Construction 

and extraction occupations (SOC 47) had the second largest number of fatal work injuries 

among major occupational groups. Construction trade workers (SOC 47-2000) 

accounted for 784 of the 1,033 fatal work injuries in this major group, with construction 

laborers (SOC 47-2061) recording the most fatalities (289) of any individual occupation 

in the group. 

 Other major occupational groups with high numbers of fatalities in 2003 included: 

management occupations (SOC 11) with 630 fatal work injuries, installation, 

maintenance, and repair occupations (SOC 49) with 395 fatalities, and sales and related 

occupations (SOC 41) with 349 fatalities. 

 Among the major occupational groups with the highest fatal work injury rates were 

farming, fishing, and forestry occupations (27.9 fatalities per 100,000 workers), 

transportation and material moving occupations (16.9 per 100,000), construction and 

extraction occupations (12.7 per 100,000), and protective service occupations (11.4 per 

100,000). 

Individual occupations with particularly high rates in 2003 included logging workers 

(131.6 fatalities per 100,000 workers), fishers and related fishing occupations (115 per 

100,000), and aircraft pilots and flight engineers (97.4 per 100,000). 

Number and rate of fatal occupational injuries for selected occupations, 2003

0

Number of fatalities Fatality rate (per 100,000 employed)

Rate = (Fatal work injuries/Employment) x 100,000 workers. Employment data extracted from the 2003 Current Population 

Survey (CPS). The fatality rates were calculated using employment as the denominator; employment-based rates measure the risk 

for those employed during a given period of time, regardless of exposure hours.

SOURCE: US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, 2003.

50 100

Laborers and freight, stock,

and material movers, hand

First-line supervisors

/managers of retail

Aircraft pilots and 

flight engineers

Police and sheriff’s 

patrol officers

Miscellaneous 

agricultural workers

Grounds maintenance

workers

Construction laborers

Farmers and ranchers

Driver/sales workers 

and truck drivers

Logging workers

861

329

106

289

156

131

124

113

128

104

13.6

16.5

20.9

3.7

25.1

97.4

6.1

131.6

39.3

26.7

1000 750 500 250 150
5 

Profile of fatal work injuries by demographic characteristics 

 The number of fatal work injuries involving black workers was higher in 2003 after 

declining for the previous three years. The number of fatally injured black workers rose 

from 491 in 2002 to 542 in 2003, an increase of 10 percent. Fatalities among white, nonHispanic workers, and Asian, native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander workers also 

increased in 2003. 

 Fatal work injuries among Hispanic or Latino workers were lower for the second 

consecutive year, although Hispanic workers continued to record the highest rate of fatal 

injuries among the racial/ethnic groups reported (4.5 fatal work injuries per 100,000 

Hispanic workers). Fatal work injuries among foreign-born Hispanic workers declined 

for the first time ever in the fatality census, although fatalities among native-born 

Hispanic workers rose slightly in 2003. 

 The number of fatal injuries rose for workers under 25 years of age and for workers 

45 years of age and older in 2003, although workers from 25 through 44 years of age 

recorded fewer fatalities. Workers 65 years of age and older continued to record the 

highest fatality rate of any age group. The rate of 11.3 fatal work injuries per 100,000 

workers for workers 65 and older was more than three times the rate of 3.3 fatalities per 

100,000 workers for those 25 to 34 years of age. 

 The total of 1,167 self-employed workers who were fatally injured in 2003 

represented an increase of 11 percent over the number reported in 2002. Fatality rates for 

self-employed workers rose from 10.5 per 100,000 in 2002 to 11.1 per 100,000 in 2003. 

Fatal work injuries involving wage and salary workers were down in 2003. 

Profile of fatal work injuries by state 

 Twenty-five states had fewer fatal work injuries in 2003 than in 2002, 24 states and 

the District of Columbia reported higher numbers in 2003, and one state was unchanged. 

Numbers were higher in the Northeast and South, but lower in the West and Midwest in 

2003. 

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

collection of CFOI data in that state. Participating agencies and their telephone numbers 

are listed in table 6.

Background of the program 

 The Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, part of the BLS occupational safety and 

health statistics program, provides a complete count of fatal work injuries available. The 

program uses diverse state and federal data sources to identify, verify, and profile fatal 

work injuries. Information about each workplace fatality (occupation and other worker 

characteristics, equipment being used, and circumstances of the event) is obtained by 

cross-referencing source documents, such as death certificates, workers’ compensation 
6 

records, and reports to federal and state agencies. This method assures counts are as 

complete and accurate as possible. For the 2003 data, over 20,000 unique source 

documents were reviewed. 

 This is the 12th year that the fatality census has been conducted in all 50 states and 

the District of Columbia. The BLS fatality census is a federal/state cooperative venture 

in which costs are shared equally. Additional state-specific data are available from the 

participating agencies listed in table 6. 

 Another BLS program, the Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, presents 

frequency counts and incidence rates by industry and profiles worker and case 

characteristics of nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses that result in lost 

work time. Copies of the news release on nonfatal injuries and illnesses in 2002 are 

available from BLS by calling (202) 691-6179 or by accessing the website listed below. 

Incidence rates for 2003 by industry will be published in December 2004, and 

information on 2003 worker and case characteristics will be available in the spring of 

2005. For additional data, access the BLS Internet site: http://www.bls.gov/iif/. 

 To request a copy of BLS Report 977 which highlights 2002 fatality results and 

includes a number of analytical articles, e-mail your address to CFOIStaff@bls.gov or 

write to Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2 Massachusetts Avenue, N.E., Room 3180, 

Washington, DC 20212. 
Table 1. Fatal occupational injuries by event or exposure, 1998-2003

Event or exposure1

Fatalities

1998-2002

average

20022 2003

Number Number Percent

Total ................................................................................................. 5,896 5,534 5,559 100

Transportation incidents .................................................................. 2,549 2,385 2,357 42

Highway ........................................................................................... 1,417 1,373 1,350 24

Collision between vehicles, mobile equipment ............................ 696 636 648 12

Moving in same direction ......................................................... 136 155 135 2

Moving in opposite directions, oncoming ................................. 249 202 269 5

Moving in intersection .............................................................. 148 146 123 2

Vehicle struck stationary object or equipment in roadway ........... 27 33 17 3( )

Vehicle struck stationary object, equipment on side of road ....... 281 293 324 6

Noncollision ................................................................................. 367 373 321 6

Jack-knifed or overturned-no collision ..................................... 303 312 252 5

Nonhighway (farm, industrial premises) .......................................... 358 323 347 6

Overturned ............................................................................... 192 164 186 3

Worker struck by a vehicle .............................................................. 380 356 336 6

Rail vehicle ...................................................................................... 63 64 43 1

Water vehicle ................................................................................... 92 71 68 1

Aircraft ............................................................................................. 235 194 208 4

Assaults and violent acts ................................................................. 910 840 901 16

Homicides ........................................................................................ 659 609 631 11

Shooting ...................................................................................... 519 469 487 9

Stabbing ...................................................................................... 61 58 58 1

Self-inflicted injuries ......................................................................... 218 199 218 4

Contact with objects and equipment ............................................... 963 872 911 16

Struck by object ............................................................................... 547 505 530 10

Struck by falling object ................................................................. 336 302 322 6

Struck by flying object .................................................................. 55 38 58 1

Caught in or compressed by equipment or objects ......................... 272 231 237 4

Caught in running equipment or machinery ................................. 141 110 121 2

Caught in or crushed in collapsing materials ................................... 126 116 126 2

Falls .................................................................................................... 738 719 691 12

Fall to lower level ............................................................................. 651 638 601 11

Fall from ladder ............................................................................ 113 126 113 2

Fall from roof ............................................................................... 152 143 127 2

Fall from scaffold, staging ............................................................ 91 88 85 2

Fall on same level ............................................................................ 65 64 69 1

Exposure to harmful substances or environments ........................ 526 539 485 9

Contact with electric current ............................................................ 289 289 246 4

Contact with overhead power lines .............................................. 130 122 107 2

Contact with temperature extremes ................................................. 45 60 42 1

Exposure to caustic, noxious, or allergenic substances .................. 102 99 121 2

Inhalation of substance ................................................................ 50 49 65 1

Oxygen deficiency ........................................................................... 89 90 73 1

Drowning, submersion ................................................................. 69 60 52 1

Fires and explosions ......................................................................... 190 165 198 4

1 Based on the 1992 BLS Occupational Injury and Illness Classification Manual. Includes other events and

exposures, such as bodily reaction, in addition to those shown separately. 2 The BLS news release issued September 17, 2003, reported a total of 5,524 fatal work injuries for calendar year

2003. Since then, an additional 10 job-related fatalities were identified, bringing the total job-related fatality count for

2002 to 5,534. 3 Less than or equal to 0.5 percent.

NOTE: Totals for major categories may include subcategories not shown separately. The average count excludes

fatalities from the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Percentages may not add to totals because of rounding.

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, 2003

Industry1

Fatalities Selected event or exposure2

(percent of total for industry)

Number Percent Highway3 Homicides Falls Struck by

object

Total ............................................................................................. 5,559 100 24 11 12 10

Private industry ............................................................................... 5,027 90 23 11 13 10

Goods producing ........................................................................... 2,390 43 14 3 18 14

Natural resources and mining .................................................... 848 15 15 2 5 20

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting ..................................... 707 13 14 2 5 20

Crop production ....................................................................... 333 6 15 3 5 14

Animal production .................................................................... 158 3 11 3 8 11

Forestry and logging ................................................................ 120 2 10 – 2 64

Fishing, hunting and trapping .................................................. 49 1 ––––

Agriculture and forestry support activities ................................ 44 1 32 – – –

Mining4 ........................................................................................ 141 3 20 – 7 23

Oil and gas extraction .............................................................. 17 5( ) 24 –––

Mining, except oil and gas ....................................................... 55 1 5 – 11 20

Support activities for mining .................................................... 69 1 30 – 6 28

Construction ................................................................................ 1,126 20 13 2 32 10

Construction ................................................................................ 1,126 20 13 2 32 10

Construction of buildings ......................................................... 226 4 11 3 42 6

Heavy and civil engineering construction ................................ 247 4 12 – 10 17

Specialty trade contractors ...................................................... 626 11 13 1 37 9

Manufacturing .............................................................................. 416 7 15 6 9 12

Manufacturing .............................................................................. 416 7 15 6 9 12

Food manufacturing ................................................................. 58 1 14 7 10 9

Wood product manufacturing .................................................. 37 1 16 – 8 19

Paper manufacturing ............................................................... 16 5( ) ––––

Chemical manufacturing .......................................................... 28 1 11 – – –

Plastics and rubber products manufacturing ........................... 26 5( ) 15 –––

Nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing ............................ 46 1 26 – – 15

Primary metal manufacturing ................................................... 33 1 – – – 21

Fabricated metal product manufacturing ................................. 43 1 – – 12 30

Machinery manufacturing ........................................................ 26 5( ) 15 – – 19

Computer and electronic product manufacturing ..................... 11 5( ) ––––

Transportation equipment manufacturing ................................ 44 1 7 25 14 7

Service producing ......................................................................... 2,637 47 32 19 8 7

Trade, transportation, and utilities ............................................ 1,371 25 42 18 5 6

Wholesale trade ........................................................................... 191 3 41 8 8 12

Merchant wholesalers, durable goods ..................................... 103 2 32 10 4 20

Merchant wholesalers, nondurable goods ............................... 81 1 51 4 14 –

Retail trade .................................................................................. 343 6 17 50 7 4

Motor vehicle and parts dealers .............................................. 66 1 30 26 8 9

Building material and garden supply stores ............................. 34 1 26 12 15 –

Food and beverage stores ....................................................... 99 2 3 82 6 –

Gasoline stations ..................................................................... 42 1 10 71 – –

Clothing and clothing accessories stores ................................ 16 5( ) – 69 – –

General merchandise stores ................................................... 11 5( ) – 55 – –

Miscellaneous store retailers ................................................... 25 5( ) 16 44 12 12

Nonstore retailers .................................................................... 22 5( ) 59 18 – –

Transportation and warehousing ................................................. 805 14 54 7 3 5

Air transportation ..................................................................... 52 1 ––––

Rail transportation ................................................................... 18 5( ) ––––

Water transportation ................................................................ 24 5( ) ––––

Truck transportation ................................................................. 517 9 73 2 3 5

Transit and ground passenger transportation .......................... 74 1 28 62 – –

Support activities for transportation ......................................... 63 1 21 5 – 6

Couriers and messengers ....................................................... 22 5( ) 73 –––

Warehousing and storage ....................................................... 23 5( ) – – 17 22

Utilities ......................................................................................... 32 1 22 – – –

Information ................................................................................... 64 1 47 11 11 –

Information ................................................................................... 64 1 47 11 11 –

Publishing industries, except Internet ...................................... 31 1 65 – – –

See footnotes at end of table.

8
Table 2. Fatal occupational injuries by industry and selected event or exposure, 2003 — Continued

Industry1

Fatalities Selected event or exposure2

(percent of total for industry)

Number Percent Highway3 Homicides Falls Struck by

object

Telecommunications ................................................................ 21 5( ) 33 14 14 –

Financial activities ....................................................................... 130 2 26 28 11 4

Finance and insurance ................................................................ 46 1 37 28 7 –

Credit intermediation and related activities .............................. 28 1 29 46 – –

Insurance carriers and related activities .................................. 11 5( ) 55 –––

Real estate and rental and leasing .............................................. 84 2 20 27 13 5

Real estate .............................................................................. 52 1 12 35 19 –

Rental and leasing services ..................................................... 31 1 32 16 – 13

Professional and business services .......................................... 452 8 23 7 15 13

Professional and technical services ............................................ 97 2 25 8 8 –

Administrative and waste services .............................................. 355 6 22 6 17 16

Administrative and support services ........................................ 264 5 17 8 22 18

Waste management and remediation services ....................... 91 2 35 – 4 10

Educational and health services ................................................ 143 3 24 10 13 –

Educational services .................................................................... 41 1 7 – 10 –

Health care and social assistance ............................................... 102 2 30 13 15 –

Ambulatory health care services ............................................. 36 1 39 8 11 –

Hospitals .................................................................................. 24 5( ) 21 – 21 –

Nursing and residential care facilities ...................................... 20 5( ) 15 35 30 –

Social assistance ..................................................................... 20 5( ) 35 –––

Leisure and hospitality ............................................................... 274 5 9 40 9 2

Arts, entertainment, and recreation ............................................. 88 2 7 3 11 6

Performing arts and spectator sports ...................................... 42 1 12 – 7 –

Amusements, gambling, and recreation ................................. 40 1 – 8 18 8

Accommodation and food services .............................................. 186 3 11 58 8 –

Accommodation ....................................................................... 40 1 12 35 15 –

Food services and drinking places .......................................... 145 3 10 64 6 –

Other services, except public administration ........................... 194 3 17 28 9 11

Other services, except public administration ............................... 194 3 17 28 9 11

Repair and maintenance ......................................................... 121 2 9 25 7 18

Personal and laundry services ................................................ 42 1 26 45 7 –

Membership associations and organizations ........................... 30 1 37 17 17 –

Government6 ................................................................................... 532 10 35 13 6 4

Federal government ........................................................................ 98 2 19 3 6 6

State government ............................................................................ 102 2 37 13 10 –

Local government ............................................................................ 326 6 39 17 6 4

1 Classified according to the North American Industry Classification System, 2002. 2 The figure shown is the percent of the total fatalities 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 non-passengers. 4 Includes fatalities at all establishments categorized as Mining (Sector 21) in the 2002 North American Industy Classification System

including establishments not governed by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) rules and reporting, such as those in Oil and Gas

Extraction.

5 Less than or equal to 0.5 percent. 6 Includes fatalities to workers employed by governmental organizations regardless of industry.

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. There were 9 fatalities for which there was insufficient

information to determine a specific industry classification, though a distinction between private and government was made for each. 

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 3. Fatal occupational injuries by occupation and selected event or exposure, 2003

Occupation1

Fatalities Selected event or exposure2

(percent of total for occupation)

Number Percent Highway3 Homicides Falls Struck by

object

Total ................................................................................................. 5,559 100 24 11 12 10

Management occupations ................................................................ 630 11 16 10 8 11

Top executives ................................................................................ 40 1 25 15 10 8

Advertising, marketing, promotions, public relations, and sales

managers ....................................................................................... 14 4( ) 64 –––

Operations specialties managers .................................................... 34 1 26 18 9 –

Other management occupations ..................................................... 542 10 13 9 8 12

Business and financial operations occupations ............................ 32 1 31 12 12 –

Business operations specialists ....................................................... 11 4( ) – – 27 –

Financial specialists ......................................................................... 21 4( ) 38 14 – –

Computer and mathematical occupations ...................................... 8 4( ) 50 –––

Computer specialists ....................................................................... 7 4( ) 57 –––

Architecture and engineering occupations .................................... 54 1 28 – 11 6

Architects, surveyors, and cartographers ........................................ 7 4( ) ––––

Engineers ........................................................................................ 28 1 32 – – –

Drafters, engineering, and mapping technicians ............................. 19 4( ) 32 –––

Life, physical, and social science occupations .............................. 20 4( ) 20 –––

Life scientists ................................................................................... 8 4( ) ––––

Physical scientists ........................................................................... 4 4( ) ––––

Life, physical, and social science technicians ................................. 7 4( ) ––––

Community and social services occupations ................................. 29 1 55 10 – –

Counselors, social workers, and other community and social

service specialists .......................................................................... 16 4( ) 62 –––

Religious workers ............................................................................ 13 4( ) 46 23 – –

Legal occupations ............................................................................. 15 4( ) ––––

Lawyers, judges, and related workers ............................................. 11 4( ) ––––

Legal support workers ..................................................................... 4 4( ) ––––

Education, training, and library occupations ................................. 30 1 53 – 17 –

Postsecondary teachers .................................................................. 10 4( ) 40 –––

Primary, secondary, and special education school teachers ........... 10 4( ) 50 –––

Other teachers and instructors ........................................................ 3 4( ) ––––

Librarians, curators, and archivists .................................................. 4 4( ) ––––

Other education, training, and library occupations .......................... 3 4( ) 100 – – –

Arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media occupations ....... 58 1 21 – 9 –

Art and design workers .................................................................... 10 4( ) ––––

Entertainers and performers, sports and related workers ............... 30 1 17 – – –

Media and communication workers ................................................. 12 4( ) 50 –––

Media and communication equipment workers ............................... 6 4( ) ––––

Healthcare practitioners and technical occupations ..................... 49 1 35 12 6 –

Health diagnosing and treating practitioners ................................... 30 1 17 17 – –

Health technologists and technicians .............................................. 16 4( ) 69 –––

Other healthcare practitioners and technical occupations ............... 3 4( ) ––––

Healthcare support occupations ...................................................... 20 4( ) 25 30 30 –

Nursing, psychiatric, and home health aides ................................... 14 4( ) 21 29 43 –

Other healthcare support occupations ............................................. 5 4( ) ––––

Protective service occupations ........................................................ 312 6 34 30 4 1

First-line supervisors managers, protective service workers ........... 24 4( ) 38 29 – –

Fire fighting and prevention workers ............................................... 45 1 47 – – –

Law enforcement workers ............................................................... 153 3 43 33 2 –

Other protective service workers ..................................................... 90 2 10 41 7 –

Food preparation and serving related occupations ....................... 71 1 8 58 14 –

Supervisors, food preparation and serving workers ........................ 20 4( ) 20 70 – –

Cooks and food preparation workers ............................................... 18 4( ) – 50 – –

Food and beverage serving workers ............................................... 27 4( ) – 59 15 –

Other food preparation and serving related workers ....................... 6 4( ) – – 67 –

Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations ... 246 4 13 4 25 21

Supervisors, building and grounds cleaning and maintenance

workers .......................................................................................... 41 1 12 – 20 27

Building cleaning and pest control workers ..................................... 49 1 6 14 39 –

Grounds maintenance workers ........................................................ 156 3 15 2 22 25

Personal care and service occupations .......................................... 53 1 11 21 6 –

Animal care and service workers ..................................................... 18 4( ) ––––

Entertainment attendants and related workers ................................ 10 4( ) ––––

Personal appearance workers ......................................................... 7 4( ) – 71 – –

Transportation, tourism, and lodging attendants ............................. 5 4( ) ––––

Other personal care and service workers ........................................ 10 4( ) – 40 – –

Sales and related occupations ......................................................... 349 6 21 52 5 2

See footnotes at end of table.

10
Table 3. Fatal occupational injuries by occupation and selected event or exposure, 2003 — Continued

Occupation1

Fatalities Selected event or exposure2

(percent of total for occupation)

Number Percent Highway3 Homicides Falls Struck by

object

Supervisors, sales workers .............................................................. 161 3 16 53 5 2

Retail sales workers ........................................................................ 107 2 7 73 6 –

Sales representatives, services ....................................................... 14 4( ) 50 –––

Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing ..................... 27 4( ) 74 –––

Other sales and related workers ...................................................... 40 1 35 40 – –

Office and administrative support occupations ............................. 112 2 30 33 10 3

Supervisors, office and administrative support workers .................. 7 4( ) – – 43 –

Financial clerks ................................................................................ 11 4( ) – 45 – –

Information and record clerks .......................................................... 11 4( ) – 55 – –

Material recording, scheduling, dispatching, and distributing

workers .......................................................................................... 56 1 45 25 5 5

Secretaries and administrative assistants ....................................... 10 4( ) – 50 – –

Other office and administrative support workers ............................. 17 4( ) 18 29 – –

Farming, fishing, and forestry occupations .................................... 305 5 11 3 4 29

Supervisors, farming, fishing, and forestry workers ......................... 11 4( ) ––– 55

Agricultural workers ......................................................................... 137 2 18 6 5 7

Fishing and hunting workers ............................................................ 50 1 ––––

Forest, conservation, and logging workers ...................................... 107 2 7 – 4 69

Construction and extraction occupations ...................................... 1,033 19 12 2 32 11

Supervisors, construction and extraction workers ........................... 111 2 12 3 26 12

Construction trades workers ............................................................ 784 14 11 2 35 10

Helpers, construction trades ............................................................ 26 4( ) – – 27 12

Other construction and related workers ........................................... 44 1 18 – 30 –

Extraction workers ........................................................................... 68 1 13 – 6 26

Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations ........................ 395 7 10 7 17 14

Supervisors of installation, maintenance, and repair workers ......... 34 1 12 18 24 18

Electrical and electronic equipment mechanics, installers, and

repairers ........................................................................................ 20 4( ) 25 – 30 –

Vehicle and mobile equipment mechanics, installers, and

repairers ........................................................................................ 122 2 9 14 6 22

Other installation, maintenance, and repair occupations ................. 219 4 9 1 21 10

Production occupations ................................................................... 282 5 6 10 7 13

Assemblers and fabricators ............................................................. 34 1 – 15 – 18

Food processing workers ................................................................ 14 4( ) – 29 – –

Metal workers and plastic workers .................................................. 83 1 4 4 10 20

Textile, apparel, and furnishings workers ........................................ 7 4( ) – 43 – –

Woodworkers ................................................................................... 7 4( ) ––– 57

Plant and system operators ............................................................. 15 4( ) ––––

Other production occupations .......................................................... 84 2 6 6 5 6

Transportation and material moving occupations ......................... 1,388 25 49 6 5 6

Supervisors, transportation and material moving workers ............... 16 4( ) 19 19 19 19

Air transportation workers ................................................................ 113 2 ––––

Motor vehicle operators ................................................................... 955 17 66 7 3 5

Rail transportation workers .............................................................. 16 4( ) ––––

Water transportation workers .......................................................... 26 4( ) ––– 12

Other transportation workers ........................................................... 12 4( ) – 25 – –

Material moving workers .................................................................. 250 4 15 4 11 14

Military occupations .......................................................................... 62 1 13 – – 8

1 Based on the 2000 Standard Occupational Classification System. 2 The figure shown is the percent of the total fatalities 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.

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. There were 7 fatalities 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.

11
Table 4. Fatal occupational injuries by selected worker characteristics and selected event or exposure, 2003

Characteristic

Fatalities Selected event or exposure1

(percent of total for characteristic category)

Number Percent Highway2 Homicides Falls Struck by

object

Total ..................................................................................................... 5,559 100 24 11 12 10

Employee status

Wage and salary3 ................................................................................ 4,392 79 27 10 13 9

Self-employed4 .................................................................................... 1,167 21 13 16 12 11

Sex

Men ...................................................................................................... 5,115 92 24 10 13 10

Women ................................................................................................ 444 8 31 27 9 1

Age5

Under 16 years .................................................................................... 25 6( ) 24 –––

16-17 years .......................................................................................... 28 1 25 – – 11

18-19 years .......................................................................................... 84 2 24 12 11 14

20-24 years .......................................................................................... 461 8 23 14 9 8

25-34 years .......................................................................................... 1,016 18 26 14 10 8

35-44 years .......................................................................................... 1,324 24 24 12 11 10

45-54 years .......................................................................................... 1,298 23 27 11 14 10

55-64 years .......................................................................................... 801 14 23 8 15 9

65 years and older ............................................................................... 519 9 20 9 17 11

Race or ethnic origin7

White ................................................................................................... 3,976 72 26 8 12 9

Black .................................................................................................... 542 10 28 22 9 7

Hispanic ............................................................................................... 791 14 17 13 16 13

American Indian, Aleut, Eskimo ........................................................... 42 1 21 12 14 19

Asian .................................................................................................... 147 3 10 50 7 4

Pacific Islander .................................................................................... 11 6( ) – – 27 –

Multiple races ...................................................................................... 3 6( ) ––––

Other or not reported ........................................................................... 47 1 23 34 6 6

1 The figure shown is the percent of the total fatalities 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 non-passengers. 3 May include volunteers and other workers receiving compensation. 4 Includes paid and unpaid family workers, and may include owners of incorporated businesses, or members of partnerships. 5 There were 3 fatalities 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 may be of any race. The individual racial categories shown exclude data for Hispanics.

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. 

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.

12
Table 5. Fatal occupational injuries by state and event or exposure, 2003

State of injury

Total fatalities1 Event or exposure4

2003

20022

(revised) 20033 Transportation

incidents5

Assaults

and violent

acts6

Contact

with

objects

and

equipment

Falls

Exposure

to harmful

substances or

environments

Fires and

explosions

Total .............................................................................. 5,534 5,559 2,357 901 911 691 485 198

Alabama ............................................................................ 102 121 62 16 25 10 7 –

Alaska ............................................................................... 42 28 13 7 3 – 3 –

Arizona .............................................................................. 101 80 37 9 12 10 5 5

Arkansas ........................................................................... 80 87 48 6 16 10 4 3

California ........................................................................... 478 456 174 83 76 71 35 13

Colorado ........................................................................... 123 102 39 23 14 19 4 –

Connecticut ....................................................................... 39 36 17 9 4 4 – –

Delaware ........................................................................... 11 6 –––– 3 –

District of Columbia ........................................................... 8 19 – 7 – 6 3 –

Florida ............................................................................... 354 347 153 62 42 36 43 10

Georgia ............................................................................. 197 199 87 45 27 23 12 5

Hawaii ............................................................................... 24 21 7 3 4 3 3 –

Idaho ................................................................................. 39 43 24 5 6 5 – –

Illinois ................................................................................ 190 200 65 43 32 36 21 3

Indiana .............................................................................. 136 132 61 24 19 16 8 4

Iowa .................................................................................. 57 76 42 3 14 5 8 4

Kansas .............................................................................. 89 78 41 12 11 9 4 –

Kentucky ........................................................................... 146 145 77 12 25 11 10 9

Louisiana ........................................................................... 103 95 39 9 28 5 12 –

Maine ................................................................................ 30 23 9 – 7 3 4 –

Maryland ........................................................................... 102 92 35 17 9 15 12 4

Massachusetts .................................................................. 46 77 27 8 12 24 – 3

Michigan ............................................................................ 152 151 57 22 30 17 21 3

Minnesota ......................................................................... 81 72 30 9 18 11 – –

Mississippi ......................................................................... 94 100 42 20 14 7 13 3

Missouri ............................................................................. 175 154 86 16 20 17 12 3

Montana ............................................................................ 51 39 25 6 3 3 – –

Nebraska ........................................................................... 83 51 28 6 11 – 3 –

Nevada .............................................................................. 47 52 21 8 11 8 4 –

New Hampshire ................................................................ 19 19 7 3 4 3 – –

New Jersey ....................................................................... 129 104 41 16 18 19 7 3

New Mexico ...................................................................... 63 46 19 13 6 3 – 3

New York (including N.Y.C.) ............................................. 240 227 77 66 25 35 15 9

New York City ............................................................... 100 94 12 43 9 14 9 7

North Carolina ................................................................... 169 182 69 29 29 24 19 12

North Dakota ..................................................................... 25 26 16 – 6 3 – –

Ohio .................................................................................. 202 206 86 28 32 23 28 9

Oklahoma .......................................................................... 92 100 50 16 17 5 5 6

Oregon .............................................................................. 63 75 43 4 13 5 6 3

Pennsylvania ..................................................................... 188 208 82 34 34 32 22 4

Rhode Island ..................................................................... 8 18 – – 3 – – 8

South Carolina .................................................................. 107 114 38 27 20 13 13 –

South Dakota .................................................................... 36 28 12 – 12 – – –

Tennessee ........................................................................ 140 136 55 27 32 13 5 4

Texas ................................................................................ 417 491 201 90 70 52 51 27

Utah .................................................................................. 52 54 34 5 9 3 3 –

Vermont ............................................................................ 11 14 9 – 4 – – –

Virginia .............................................................................. 142 155 57 24 27 24 16 7

Washington ....................................................................... 86 82 29 9 15 16 7 6

West Virginia ..................................................................... 40 51 24 – 8 6 6 5

Wisconsin .......................................................................... 91 103 33 14 26 20 8 –

Wyoming ........................................................................... 33 37 26 – 4 3 3 –

1 State totals include other events and exposures, such as bodily reaction, in addition to those shown separately. 2 The BLS news release issued September 17, 2003, reported a total of 5,524 fatal work injuries for calendar year 2002. Since then, an additional 10

job-related fatalities were identified, bringing the total job-related fatality count for 2002 to 5,534. 3 Includes 1 fatality that occurred within the territorial boundaries of the United States, but a State of incident could not be determined.

4 Based on the 1992 BLS Occupational Injury and Illness Classification Manual. 5 Includes highway, nonhighway, air, water, and rail fatalities, and fatalities resulting from being struck by vehicles. 6 Includes violence by persons, self-inflicted injuries, and attacks by animals.

NOTE: Dashes indicate no data reported or data that do not meet publication criteria. 

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.

13
14 

Table 6. CFOI participating agencies and telephone numbers 

State Agency Telephone number 

Alabama Department of Labor (334) 242-3460 

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

Arizona Industrial Commission of Arizona (602) 542-3739 

Arkansas Department of Labor (501) 682-4542 

California Department of Industrial Relations (415) 703-4776 

Colorado Department of Public Health (303) 692-2173 

Connecticut Labor Department (860) 566-4380 

Delaware Department of Labor (302) 761-8221 

District of Columbia Center for Health Statistics (202) 442-5920 

Florida Department of Financial Services (850) 413-1611 

Georgia Department of Labor (404) 679-0687 

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

Idaho Industrial Commission (208) 334-6090 

Illinois Department of Public Health (217) 558-1540 

Indiana Department of Labor (317) 232-2668 

Iowa Division of Labor Services (515) 281-5151 

Kansas Department of Health and Environment (785) 296-1058 

Kentucky Department of Labor (502) 564-3070 ext. 281 

Louisiana Department of Labor (225) 342-3126 

Maine Bureau of Labor Standards (207) 624-6440 

Maryland Division of Labor and Industry (410) 767-2356 

Massachusetts Department of Public Health (617) 988-3329 

Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth (517) 322-1851 

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

Mississippi Department of Health (601) 576-7930 

Missouri Department of Labor (573) 751-2454 

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

Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court (402) 471-3547 

Nevada Division of Industrial Relations (775) 684-7081 

New Hampshire Department of Public Health (603) 271-4647 

New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services (609) 984-1863 

New Mexico Occupational Health and Safety Bureau (505) 827-4230 

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

New York City Department of Health (212) 788-4585 

North Carolina Department of Labor (919) 733-0337 

North Dakota U.S. Department of Labor (312) 353-7253 

Ohio Department of Health (614) 466-4183 

Oklahoma Department of Labor (405) 528-1500 

Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services (503) 947-7367 

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 U.S. Department of Labor (312) 353-7253 

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

Texas Workers’ Compensation Commission (512) 804-4637 

Utah Labor Commission (801) 530-6823 

Vermont Department of Labor and Industry (802) 828-5076 

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

Washington Department of Labor and Industries (360) 902-5512 

West Virginia Department of Labor (304) 558-7890 

Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (608) 266-7850 

Wyoming Department of Employment, Research and Planning (307) 473-3819 
15 

TECHNICAL NOTES 

Definitions 

 For a fatality to be included in the census, the decedent must have been employed 

(that is working for pay, compensation, or profit) at the time of the event, engaged in a 

legal work activity, or present at the site of the incident as a requirement of his or her job. 

These criteria are generally broader than those used by federal and state agencies 

administering specific laws and regulations. (Fatalities that occur during a person’s 

commute to or from work are excluded from the census counts.) 

 Data presented in this release include deaths occurring in 2003 that resulted from 

traumatic occupational injuries. An injury is defined as any intentional or unintentional 

wound or damage to the body resulting from acute exposure to energy, such as heat, 

electricity, or kinetic energy from a crash, or from the absence of such essentials as 

heat or oxygen caused by a specific event, incident, or series of events within a single 

workday or shift. Included are open wounds, intracranial and internal injuries, 

heatstroke, hypothermia, asphyxiation, acute poisonings resulting from short-term 

exposures limited to the worker’s shift, suicides and homicides, and work injuries listed 

as underlying or contributory causes of death. 

 Information on work-related fatal illnesses is not reported in the BLS census and 

is excluded from the attached tables because the latency period of many occupational 

illnesses and the difficulty of linking illnesses to work exposures make identification 

of a universe problematic. 

Measurement techniques and limitations 

 Data for the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries are compiled from various 

federal, state, and local administrative sources--including death certificates, workers’ 

compensation reports and claims, reports to various regulatory agencies, medical 

examiner reports, and police reports--as well as news and other non-governmental 

reports. Diverse sources are used because studies have shown that no single source 

captures all job-related fatalities. Source documents are matched so that each fatality is 

counted only once. To ensure that a fatality occurred while the decedent was at work, 

information is verified from two or more independent source documents or from a source 

document and a follow-up questionnaire. Approximately 30 data elements are collected, 

coded, and tabulated, including information about the worker, the fatal incident, and the 

machinery or equipment involved. 

Identification and verification of work-related fatalities 

 In 2003, there were 79 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. 
16 

 Data for these fatalities, which primarily affected self-employed workers, are 

included in the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries counts. An additional 17 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 one year to update their initial published state counts. 

This procedure ensures that fatality data are disseminated as quickly as possible and that 

no legitimate case is excluded from the counts. Thus, each year’s report should be 

considered preliminary until final data are issued. Over the last 5 years, increases in the 

published counts based on additional information have averaged less than 20 fatalities per 

year or less than 0.3 percent of the revised total. The BLS news release issued 

September 17, 2003, reported a total of 5,524 fatal work injuries for 2002. Since then, an 

additional 10 fatal work injuries were identified, bringing the total for 2002 to 5,534. 

Revised counts for 2003 will be available in May 2005. 

 Beginning in 2004, BLS released final updated numbers earlier than in past years. 

Previously, updated numbers were released along with the following year’s data in the 

annual news release. Updated 2002 numbers were released on the BLS internet in the late 

spring of 2004, or about 3 or 4 months earlier than in past years. 

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. 

 Several federal and state agencies have jurisdiction over workplace safety and 

health. OSHA and affiliated agencies in states with approved safety programs cover the 

largest portion of the nation's workers. However, injuries and illnesses occurring in 

certain industries or activities, such as coal, metal, and nonmetal mining and highway, 

water, rail, and air transportation, are excluded from OSHA coverage because they are 

covered by other federal agencies, such as the Mine Safety and Health Administration 

and various agencies within the Department of Transportation. 

 Fatalities occurring among several other groups of workers are generally not covered 

by any federal or state agencies. These groups include self-employed and unpaid family 

workers, which accounted for about 21 percent of the fatalities; laborers on small farms, 

accounting for about 1 percent of the fatalities; and state and local government employees 

in states without OSHA-approved safety programs, which accounted for about 4 percent. 
17 

(Approximately one-half of the states have approved OSHA safety programs, which 

cover state and local government employees.) 

Acknowledgements 

 BLS thanks the participating states, New York City, and the District of Columbia 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 agencies 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 

Employment Standards Administration (Federal Employees’ Compensation and 

Longshore and Harbor Workers’ divisions); the Department of Energy; 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.