News United States 

Department 

of Labor 

Bureau of Labor Statistics Washington, D.C. 20212 

1 

Technical information: (202) 691-6170 USDL 06-1364 

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

Internet address: http://www.bls.gov/iif/oshcfoi1.htm Thursday, August 10, 2006 

NATIONAL CENSUS OF FATAL OCCUPATIONAL INJURIES IN 2005 

A total of 5,702 fatal work injuries were recorded in the United States in 2005, down 

about 1 percent from the revised total of 5,764 fatal work injuries recorded in 2004. The rate at 

which fatal work injuries occurred in 2005 was 4.0 per 100,000 workers, down slightly from a 

rate of 4.1 per 100,000 in 2004. 

The Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries has been conducted each year since 1992. The 

numbers reported in this release are preliminary and will be updated in April 2007. 

Key findings of the 2005 Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries: 

• Fatal work injuries among workers under 20 years of age were up about 18 percent from 

the 2004 figure to 166 cases.

• Fatal work injuries involving women in 2005 were down 3 percent to 402 cases—the 

lowest total ever recorded by the fatality census.

• Fatalities among agricultural workers were up 23 percent from 145 in 2004 to 178 in 

2005.

• Fatal work injuries among Hispanic workers increased by 2 percent in 2005 to a new 

series high, though the fatality rate for Hispanic workers was lower.

• Fatal falls were lower by 7 percent after reaching a series high in 2004.

• While the number of fatal work injuries in private construction continued to be the most 

of any industry sector, the number of fatalities was 4 percent lower in 2005 than 2004.

• Fatal workplace injuries attributable to hurricanes accounted for 29 fatal work injuries in 

2005, though this total may rise as additional cases are identified and verified. 
2

Profile of 2005 fatal work injuries by type of incident

Fatal highway incidents remained the most frequent type of fatal workplace event, 

accounting for one in every four fatalities nationally in 2005. Fatal highway incidents rose by 2 

percent in 2005, accounting for 1,428 worker deaths. Nonhighway incidents (such as those that 

might occur on a farm or industrial premises) stayed about the same. The number of workers 

who were killed after being struck by vehicles or mobile equipment rose from 378 in 2004 to 390 

in 2005. 

The number of fatal work injuries involving aircraft declined 36 percent in 2005 after 

increasing the previous 2 years. The 147 fatal injuries involving aircraft in 2005 was a series low 

for the fatality census and 24 percent lower than the lowest previous annual total. Fatalities 

involving railroad incidents, however, were sharply higher, rising from 50 fatalities in 2004 to 84 

in 2005. 

 The 767 fatal falls recorded in 2005 represented a 7 percent decline from the series high 

recorded in 2004. Lower numbers of fatal falls from roofs (from 180 in 2004 to 160 in 2005), 

ladders (from 135 to 129), from stairs or steps (from 27 to 17), and from nonmoving vehicles 

(from 84 to 74) led to the lower overall total. However, falls on the same level (to a floor or onto 

or against objects) rose in 2005 (from 61 to 83). 

 The number of workers who were fatally injured after being struck by objects in 2005 

remained at about the same level as in 2004 (604 fatal work injuries in 2005 as compared to 602 

in 2004). Fatalities resulting from workers being struck by falling or flying objects rose 5 

percent in 2005, though fatalities involving rolling or sliding objects were down 15 percent to 94 

fatalities in 2005. 

The four most frequent work-related fatal events, 1992-2005

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

Highway incidents Homicides Falls Struck by object

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

1,409

810

609

1,373

719

632

1,353

696

643

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

SOURCE: US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, 2005.

1,398

822

559 557 565 590 547 582 579

520

585 571 553 505 531

602

1,428

564

767

604
3

 A total of 564 workplace homicides was recorded in 2005 (up from 559 in 2004). 

However, workplace suicides were sharply lower in 2005, dropping 14 percent to a series low of 

177 fatalities. 

 Fatal work injuries resulting from exposure to harmful substances or environments rose 7 

percent in 2005. This overall increase was led by a sharp increase in the number of workers who 

died after exposure to environmental heat, from 18 fatalities in 2004 to 47 in 2005. Higher 

numbers of fatal work injuries resulting from the inhalation of caustic, noxious, or allergenic 

substances also contributed to the overall increase. The number of electrocutions was down 

slightly in 2005. 

Profile of fatal work injuries by industry 

 Of the 5,702 fatal work injuries recorded in 2005, 5,188 (or 91 percent) occurred in 

private industry. Service-providing industries in the private sector accounted for 48 percent of 

all fatal work injuries in 2005, while goods-producing industries accounted for 43 percent. 

Another 9 percent of the fatal work injuries in 2005 involved government workers. 

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 sector1, 2005

1,250 750 250 0 10 20 30 40

159

208

397

210

481

514

714

1,186

67

204

149

98

30

11.0

17.6

32.5

2.4

3.5

2.4

2.4

1.8

3.0

4.4

25.6

0.8

1.0

3.6

2.1

Financial activities

1 Individual industry sectors exclude data for employees of governmental agencies, which are provided separately.

Rate = (Fatal work injuries/Employment) x 100,000. Employment data based on the 2005 Current Population Survey (CPS) and Department of Defense (DOD) figures.

SOURCE: US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Population Survey, Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, and US Department of Defense, 2005.

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

1,500 1,000 500

Total fatalities = 5,702

All worker fatality rate = 4.0

881

393

 The private construction industry accounted for 1,186 fatal work injuries, the most of any 

industry sector and about one out of every five fatal work injuries recorded in 2005. While the 

total number of construction fatalities was 4 percent lower in 2005, the number of fatalities in

residential building construction (NAICS 2361), utility system construction (NAICS 2371), and 

highway, street, and bridge construction (NAICS 2373) increased. These increases were offset 

by a substantial decrease in the number of fatalities to specialty trade contractors (NAICS 238) 

from 759 in 2004 to 675 in 2005, a decline of 11 percent. Roofing contractor fatalities, which 
4

fell from 116 in 2004 to 75 in 2005, accounted for almost half of the decrease in the number of 

specialty trade contractor fatalities. 

 The 881 fatalities in transportation and warehousing in 2005 represented a 5 percent 

increase over the 840 cases reported in 2004. Although fewer fatalities were reported for air and 

water transportation, the 585 truck transportation fatalities, accounting for 10 percent of all work 

fatalities in 2005, were up 13 percent. 

Fatalities were also higher in agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting. Agriculture and 

mining recorded the highest fatal work injury rates among the major industry sectors in 2005—

32.5 fatalities per 100,000 workers for agriculture and 25.6 fatalities per 100,000 workers for 

mining. Fatalities in the manufacturing sector were lower by 15 percent in 2005. 

Led by increases in transportation and warehousing, professional and business services, 

administrative and support services, retail trade, and information, service-providing industries 

recorded a slight increase in the number of fatalities. 

Profile of fatal work injuries by occupation 

Similar to 2004, the combined number of fatalities in two occupational groups 

(construction and extraction occupations and transportation and material moving occupations) 

accounted for nearly half of all fatal work injuries in 2005 (48 percent). 

100 0 400 800

176

993

36

341

32

35

80

48

Selected occupations with high fatality rates, 2005

118.4

92.9

55.6

43.8

41.1

32.7

29.1

23.2

22.7

Logging workers

Aircraft pilots and flight 

engineers

Refuse and recyclable material 

collectors

Structural iron and steel 

workers

Farmers and ranchers

Electrical power-line installers 

and repairers

Driver/sales workers and 

truck drivers

Fishers and related

fishing workers

Construction laborers

Miscellaneous 

agricultural workers

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

Occupations had to meet predetermined employment and fatality count criteria to be considered for inclusion

Rate = (Fatal work injuries/Employment) x 100,000. Employment data based on the 2005 Current Population Survey (CPS) and Department of Defense (DOD) figures. 

SOURCE: US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Population Survey, Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, and US Department of Defense, 2005.

66.9 81

150 50 200 600

Total fatalities = 5,702

All worker fatality rate = 4.0

1,000

339

Transportation and material moving occupations accounted for the highest number of 

fatalities of any major occupational group (1,543 fatalities, up 2 percent from 2004). Fatalities 

among motor vehicle operators accounted for 71 percent of all fatal work injuries in this 
5

occupational group and were higher by 7 percent in 2005. However, fatalities involving air 

transportation workers were down 26 percent (from 109 in 2004 to 81 in 2005). 

Fatal work injury counts were higher by 4 percent in construction and extraction 

occupations in 2005 (from 1,138 fatalities in 2004 to 1,180 in 2005), although the fatality rate for 

this occupational group was slightly lower in 2005 due to increases in employment. Fatal work 

injuries were higher for construction laborers, carpenters, and construction equipment operators, 

but substantially lower among both painters (down 46 percent) and roofers (down 44 percent). 

Fatal work injuries were significantly higher for farming, forestry, and fishing 

occupations in 2005. The 324 fatalities in this occupational group represented a 14 percent 

increase over the total recorded in 2004. The fatality rate for this occupational group rose from 

28.1 in 2004 to 31.4 in 2005, and was the highest rate among major occupational groups. 

Military fatalities (domestic only—see technical notes) were down sharply in 2005. Fatal 

work injuries among protective service occupations were also lower in 2005. 

Profile of fatal work injuries by demographic characteristics 

Fatal work injuries among both male and female workers were down in 2005. The total 

of 402 fatal work injuries among female workers in 2005 was the lowest annual total ever 

recorded by the fatality census. The number of fatalities among male workers was down 1 

percent from the previous year (from 5,349 in 2004 to 5,300 in 2005). 

 The number of fatal work injuries among Hispanic or Latino workers reached a series 

high for the fatality census (917 fatal work injuries), but due to increased employment, the 

fatality rate for this population was down in 2005. Fatalities involving foreign-born Hispanic 

workers were also higher in 2005, rising to a series high of 625 fatal work injuries, up from 596 

in 2004. Fatalities among black or African American workers rose to 577 fatal work injuries in 

2005 from 546 in 2004. Fatalities involving Asians and Native Hawaiians or Pacific Islanders 

declined from 180 in 2004 to 162 in 2005. 

 Higher numbers of fatalities were observed for both younger workers (19 years of age 

and younger) and older workers (55 years of age and older). The number of fatalities among 

younger workers was up 18 percent (166 fatalities, up from 141 in 2004). Fatal work injuries 

among workers 55 years of age or older rose to 1,499—a series high for this population—though 

the fatality rate for older workers was lower. 

 Fatal work injuries among self-employed workers were down 4 percent from 2004 to 

1,134 cases—the second lowest annual count ever reported by the fatality census. 

Profile of fatal work injuries by State 

 Twenty-six States reported lower numbers of fatal work injuries in 2005 than in 2004, 22 

States and the District of Columbia reported higher numbers, and two States were unchanged. 

Four States reported increases of at least 20 percent (Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, and 

Wisconsin), while five States reported decreases of at least 20 percent (Alaska, Hawaii, 

Nebraska, New Mexico, and West Virginia). 

 
6

 A total of 29 work-related fatalities were attributable to hurricanes and their aftermath in 

2005. Hurricane-related fatalities were concentrated in three States—Mississippi (10 fatalities), 

Louisiana (8 fatalities), and Florida (8 fatalities). Virtually all of the hurricane-related cases in 

Mississippi and Louisiana were attributed to Hurricane Katrina, while about half of fatal work 

injuries attributed to hurricanes in Florida were associated with Hurricane Wilma. Of the 29 

cases identified by the fatality census, 9 involved workers who were struck by objects, 8 

involved transportation-related incidents, and 5 resulted from falls. 

 While all data from the fatality census are subject to revision, data on work-related 

fatalities attributable to hurricanes were especially difficult to collect and verify, and therefore 

may be subject to a larger than normal revision. The census attempted to identify all fatal work 

injuries that were both hurricane- and work-related. This included fatalities to public safety, 

rescue, and repair workers, among others (including volunteers), as well as fatalities during the 

immediate time period of the storms and those occurring months later. While most of the 

hurricane-related fatalities occurred in the States most immediately affected, the census 

identified and included fatalities in other locations as well, such as transportation-related 

fatalities involving rescue workers. The BLS is grateful to all those who helped compile these 

data under difficult conditions and circumstances. 

Background of the program 

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

statistics program, compiles a count of all fatal work injuries occurring in the U.S. in each 

calendar year. The program uses diverse State and Federal data sources to identify, verify, and 

profile fatal work injuries. Information about each workplace fatality (industry, 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 

records, and reports to Federal and State agencies. This method assures counts are as complete 

and accurate as possible. For the 2005 data, over 20,000 unique source documents were reviewed 

as part of the data collection process. 

 This is the 14th 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 program in which 

costs are shared equally. Additional State-specific data are available from the participating State 

agencies listed in table 6. 

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

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

characteristics of nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses that result in lost work time. Copies 

of the news releases on nonfatal injuries and illnesses in 2004 are available from BLS by calling 

(202) 691-6170 or by accessing the website listed below. Incidence rates for 2005 by industry 

will be published in October 2006, and information on 2005 worker and case characteristics will 

be available November 2006. For additional data, access the BLS Internet site: 

http://www.bls.gov/iif/. 
Table 1. Fatal occupational injuries by event or exposure, 2000-2005

Event or exposure1

Fatalities

2000-2004

average

20042 2005

Number Percent

Total ................................................................................................. 5,742 5,764 5,702 100

Transportation incidents .................................................................. 2,467 2,490 2,480 43

Highway ........................................................................................... 1,380 1,398 1,428 25

Collision between vehicles, mobile equipment ............................ 682 702 716 13

Moving in same direction ......................................................... 143 147 175 3

Moving in opposite directions, oncoming ................................. 249 276 263 5

Moving in intersection .............................................................. 141 145 133 2

Vehicle struck stationary object or equipment in roadway ........... 26 27 27 3( )

Vehicle struck stationary object, equipment on side of road ....... 292 316 342 6

Noncollision ................................................................................. 342 323 314 6

Jack-knifed or overturned-no collision ..................................... 281 262 272 5

Nonhighway (farm, industrial premises) .......................................... 347 338 340 6

Overturned ............................................................................... 181 184 183 3

Worker struck by a vehicle .............................................................. 365 378 390 7

Rail vehicle ...................................................................................... 58 50 84 1

Water vehicle ................................................................................... 81 91 86 2

Aircraft ............................................................................................. 233 231 147 3

Assaults and violent acts ................................................................. 878 809 787 14

Homicides ........................................................................................ 624 559 564 10

Shooting ...................................................................................... 484 421 439 8

Stabbing ...................................................................................... 62 68 60 1

Self-inflicted injuries ......................................................................... 215 206 177 3

Contact with objects and equipment ............................................... 952 1,009 1,001 18

Struck by object ............................................................................... 552 602 604 11

Struck by falling object ................................................................. 340 373 383 7

Struck by flying object .................................................................. 52 42 52 1

Caught in or compressed by equipment or objects ......................... 260 269 277 5

Caught in running equipment or machinery ................................. 135 141 121 2

Caught in or crushed in collapsing materials ................................... 121 117 109 2

Falls .................................................................................................... 756 822 767 13

Fall to lower level ............................................................................. 668 738 662 12

Fall from ladder ............................................................................ 122 135 129 2

Fall from roof ............................................................................... 152 180 160 3

Fall from scaffold, staging ............................................................ 88 90 82 1

Fall on same level ............................................................................ 67 61 83 1

Exposure to harmful substances or environments ........................ 494 464 496 9

Contact with electric current ............................................................ 266 254 250 4

Contact with overhead power lines .............................................. 121 124 110 2

Contact with temperature extremes ................................................. 39 27 55 1

Exposure to caustic, noxious, or allergenic substances .................. 107 116 132 2

Inhalation of substance ................................................................ 53 52 65 1

Oxygen deficiency ........................................................................... 81 65 59 1

Drowning, submersion ................................................................. 59 51 48 1

Fires and explosions ......................................................................... 177 159 158 3

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 August 25, 2005, reported a total of 5,703 fatal work injuries for calendar year 2004. 

Since then, an additional 61 job-related fatalities were identified, bringing the total job-related fatality count for 2004 to

5,764. 3 Less than or equal to 0.5 percent.

NOTE: Totals for 2005 are preliminary. 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, 2005

Industry1

Fatalities Selected event or exposure2

(percent of total for industry)

Number Percent Highway3 Homicides Falls Struck by

object

Total ............................................................................................. 5,702 100 25 10 13 11

Private industry ............................................................................... 5,188 91 24 9 14 11

Goods producing ........................................................................... 2,452 43 13 2 20 15

Natural resources and mining .................................................... 873 15 15 1 5 21

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting ..................................... 714 13 13 1 4 21

Crop production ....................................................................... 352 6 13 – 5 17

Animal production .................................................................... 155 3 15 3 6 14

Forestry and logging ................................................................ 98 2 12 – – 67

Fishing, hunting and trapping .................................................. 47 1 ––––

Agriculture and forestry support activities ................................ 58 1 17 – 5 7

Mining4 ........................................................................................ 159 3 22 3 7 18

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

Mining, except oil and gas ....................................................... 57 1 14 – – 12

Support activities for mining .................................................... 85 1 27 – 11 22

Construction ................................................................................ 1,186 21 13 2 33 11

Construction ................................................................................ 1,186 21 13 2 33 11

Construction of buildings ......................................................... 224 4 6 3 57 12

Heavy and civil engineering construction ................................ 242 4 18 – 5 11

Specialty trade contractors ...................................................... 675 12 13 1 35 11

Manufacturing .............................................................................. 393 7 13 5 12 17

Manufacturing .............................................................................. 393 7 13 5 12 17

Food manufacturing ................................................................. 46 1 20 9 13 7

Wood product manufacturing .................................................. 37 1 – – 14 24

Paper manufacturing ............................................................... 11 5() – – – –

Chemical manufacturing .......................................................... 22 5() – – – –

Plastics and rubber products manufacturing ........................... 24 5( ) – – 17 21

Nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing ............................ 59 1 17 7 7 27

Primary metal manufacturing ................................................... 23 5( ) – – – 22

Fabricated metal product manufacturing ................................. 43 1 19 – 19 26

Machinery manufacturing ........................................................ 20 5( ) 15 – – 35

Transportation equipment manufacturing ................................ 37 1 – – 14 19

Service providing .......................................................................... 2,736 48 34 16 9 7

Trade, transportation, and utilities ............................................ 1,512 27 45 15 6 7

Wholesale trade ........................................................................... 204 4 44 2 8 13

Merchant wholesalers, durable goods ..................................... 105 2 32 3 8 17

Merchant wholesalers, nondurable goods ............................... 92 2 57 – 9 9

Retail trade .................................................................................. 397 7 21 46 9 5

Motor vehicle and parts dealers .............................................. 72 1 36 25 7 8

Building material and garden supply stores ............................. 47 1 38 11 11 17

Food and beverage stores ....................................................... 105 2 10 72 8 –

Gasoline stations ..................................................................... 58 1 9 71 – –

General merchandise stores ................................................... 19 5( ) – 37 26 –

Miscellaneous store retailers ................................................... 29 1 24 24 17 –

Nonstore retailers .................................................................... 22 5( ) 55 – 18 –

Transportation and warehousing ................................................. 881 15 56 5 4 6

Air transportation ..................................................................... 29 1 ––––

Rail transportation ................................................................... 23 5( ) 13 – – –

Water transportation ................................................................ 23 5() – – – –

Truck transportation ................................................................. 585 10 70 1 4 6

Transit and ground passenger transportation .......................... 68 1 43 40 – 6

Support activities for transportation ......................................... 79 1 18 8 – 14

Couriers and messengers ....................................................... 34 1 85 – – –

Warehousing and storage ....................................................... 27 5( ) – – 15 –

Utilities ......................................................................................... 30 1 23 – 23 –

Information ................................................................................... 67 1 54 12 7 –

Information ................................................................................... 67 1 54 12 7 –

Publishing industries, except Internet ...................................... 39 1 74 10 – –

Financial activities ....................................................................... 98 2 24 22 18 3

Finance and insurance ................................................................ 42 1 26 26 7 –

Credit intermediation and related activities .............................. 23 5( ) 22 48 – –

Real estate and rental and leasing .............................................. 56 1 23 20 27 –

Real estate .............................................................................. 36 1 11 25 33 –

See footnotes at end of table.

8
Table 2. Fatal occupational injuries by industry and selected event or exposure, 2005 — Continued

Industry1

Fatalities Selected event or exposure2

(percent of total for industry)

Number Percent Highway3 Homicides Falls Struck by

object

Rental and leasing services ..................................................... 19 5( ) 47 – – –

Professional and business services .......................................... 481 8 21 5 15 10

Professional and technical services ............................................ 82 1 23 9 12 –

Professional and technical services ........................................ 82 1 23 9 12 –

Administrative and waste services .............................................. 398 7 20 5 16 12

Administrative and support services ........................................ 319 6 18 6 18 12

Waste management and remediation services ....................... 79 1 32 – 6 10

Educational and health services ................................................ 149 3 26 9 11 –

Educational services .................................................................... 45 1 13 7 11 –

Educational services ................................................................ 45 1 13 7 11 –

Health care and social assistance ............................................... 104 2 31 11 11 –

Ambulatory health care services ............................................. 50 1 36 10 – –

Hospitals .................................................................................. 19 5( ) 16 – 16 –

Nursing and residential care facilities ...................................... 13 5( ) – – 23 –

Social assistance ..................................................................... 21 5( ) 43 14 14 –

Leisure and hospitality ............................................................... 210 4 12 42 8 5

Arts, entertainment, and recreation ............................................. 76 1 11 7 9 13

Performing arts and spectator sports ...................................... 36 1 – – 14 22

Amusements, gambling, and recreation ................................. 35 1 14 11 – –

Accommodation and food services .............................................. 134 2 13 63 7 –

Accommodation ....................................................................... 27 5( ) – 59 15 –

Food services and drinking places .......................................... 107 2 15 64 6 –

Other services, except public administration ........................... 208 4 16 20 11 13

Other services, except public administration ............................... 208 4 16 20 11 13

Repair and maintenance ......................................................... 113 2 12 9 5 22

Personal and laundry services ................................................ 47 1 15 57 6 –

Membership associations and organizations ........................... 43 1 30 – 28 –

Government6 ................................................................................... 514 9 33 16 7 6

Federal government ........................................................................ 103 2 30 3 9 5

Public administration ................................................................... 66 1 23 – 6 –

National security and international affairs ................................ 53 1 17 – – –

State government ............................................................................ 106 2 37 15 3 4

Public administration ................................................................... 61 1 41 20 – 5

Justice, public order, and safety activities ............................... 37 1 30 30 – 8

Local government ............................................................................ 298 5 33 21 8 7

Public administration ................................................................... 163 3 36 29 4 4

Justice, public order, and safety activities ............................... 148 3 35 32 4 5

1 Based on 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 nonpassengers. 4 Includes fatalities at all establishments categorized as Mining (Sector 21) in the North American Industy Classification System, 2002,

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 2005 are preliminary. 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 11 fatalities for which there was insufficient information to determine a specific industry classification, although 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, 2005

Occupation1

Fatalities Selected event or exposure2

(percent of total for occupation)

Number Percent Highway3 Homicides Falls Struck by

object

Total ................................................................................................. 5,702 100 25 10 13 11

Management occupations ................................................................ 567 10 15 7 9 13

Top executives ................................................................................ 30 1 37 – – –

Advertising, marketing, promotions, public relations, and sales

managers ....................................................................................... 7 4( ) 57 – – –

Operations specialties managers .................................................... 34 1 15 15 12 –

Other management occupations ..................................................... 496 9 14 7 9 14

Business and financial operations occupations ............................ 36 1 33 8 19 –

Business operations specialists ....................................................... 23 4( ) 30 – 17 –

Financial specialists ......................................................................... 13 4( ) 38 – 23 –

Computer and mathematical occupations ...................................... 6 4() – – – –

Computer specialists ....................................................................... 6 4() – – – –

Architecture and engineering occupations .................................... 53 1 21 6 15 6

Architects, surveyors, and cartographers ........................................ 9 4() – – – –

Engineers ........................................................................................ 29 1 24 – 14 –

Drafters, engineering, and mapping technicians ............................. 15 4( ) 20 – 27 –

Life, physical, and social science occupations .............................. 17 4( ) 41 18 – –

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

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

Social scientists and related workers .............................................. 3 4() – – – –

Life, physical, and social science technicians ................................. 6 4( ) 50 – – –

Community and social services occupations ................................. 25 4( ) 36 16 12 –

Counselors, social workers, and other community and social

service specialists .......................................................................... 14 4( ) 29 21 – –

Religious workers ............................................................................ 11 4( ) 45 – – –

Legal occupations ............................................................................. 17 4( ) 41 29 – –

Lawyers, judges, and related workers ............................................. 15 4( ) 40 27 – –

Education, training, and library occupations ................................. 25 4( ) 24 20 12 –

Postsecondary teachers .................................................................. 11 4( ) 27 – – –

Primary, secondary, and special education school teachers ........... 6 4() – – – –

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

Librarians, curators, and archivists .................................................. 3 4() – – – –

Arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media occupations ....... 52 1 17 10 21 10

Art and design workers .................................................................... 10 4( ) – – 30 –

Entertainers and performers, sports and related workers ............... 29 1 14 – 21 17

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

Media and communication equipment workers ............................... 9 4() – – – –

Healthcare practitioners and technical occupations ..................... 42 1 26 12 – –

Health diagnosing and treating practitioners ................................... 23 4( ) 22 13 – –

Health technologists and technicians .............................................. 19 4( ) 32 – – –

Healthcare support occupations ...................................................... 18 4( ) 39 22 – –

Nursing, psychiatric, and home health aides ................................... 17 4( ) 41 18 – –

Protective service occupations ........................................................ 256 4 29 35 5 5

First-line supervisors managers, protective service workers ........... 15 4( ) 47 – – –

Fire fighting and prevention workers ............................................... 28 4( ) 43 – – 14

Law enforcement workers ............................................................... 141 2 32 40 4 4

Other protective service workers ..................................................... 72 1 15 43 7 6

Food preparation and serving related occupations ....................... 58 1 5 62 12 –

Supervisors, food preparation and serving workers ........................ 26 4( ) – 65 – –

Cooks and food preparation workers ............................................... 15 4( ) – 53 20 –

Food and beverage serving workers ............................................... 13 4( ) – 77 – –

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

Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations ... 264 5 12 4 23 12

Supervisors, building and grounds cleaning and maintenance

workers .......................................................................................... 36 1 25 – 31 11

Building cleaning and pest control workers ..................................... 58 1 9 10 36 –

Grounds maintenance workers ........................................................ 170 3 10 2 17 17

Personal care and service occupations .......................................... 61 1 13 33 7 7

Supervisors, personal care and service workers ............................. 6 4( ) – 67 – –

Animal care and service workers ..................................................... 5 4() – – – –

Entertainment attendants and related workers ................................ 7 4() – – – –

Personal appearance workers ......................................................... 11 4( ) – 100 – –

Transportation, tourism, and lodging attendants ............................. 12 4( ) 25 – – –

Other personal care and service workers ........................................ 19 4( ) 21 26 – –

Sales and related occupations ......................................................... 320 6 22 54 6 3

Supervisors, sales workers .............................................................. 132 2 14 58 5 5

See footnotes at end of table.

10
Table 3. Fatal occupational injuries by occupation and selected event or exposure, 2005 — Continued

Occupation1

Fatalities Selected event or exposure2

(percent of total for occupation)

Number Percent Highway3 Homicides Falls Struck by

object

Retail sales workers ........................................................................ 112 2 6 75 8 4

Sales representatives, services ....................................................... 17 4( ) 59 – – –

Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing ..................... 26 4( ) 85 – – –

Other sales and related workers ...................................................... 33 1 42 33 – –

Office and administrative support occupations ............................. 106 2 26 28 13 4

Supervisors, office and administrative support workers .................. 8 4( ) – 62 – –

Financial clerks ................................................................................ 7 4( ) – 57 – –

Information and record clerks .......................................................... 22 4( ) 14 41 18 –

Material recording, scheduling, dispatching, and distributing

workers .......................................................................................... 54 1 41 17 11 6

Secretaries and administrative assistants ....................................... 9 4() – – – –

Other office and administrative support workers ............................. 6 4() – – – –

Farming, fishing, and forestry occupations .................................... 324 6 11 2 4 25

Supervisors, farming, fishing, and forestry workers ......................... 12 4( ) 25 – – 33

Agricultural workers ......................................................................... 178 3 17 2 6 8

Fishing and hunting workers ............................................................ 48 1 ––––

Forest, conservation, and logging workers ...................................... 86 2 5 – – 74

Construction and extraction occupations ...................................... 1,180 21 11 2 33 12

Supervisors, construction and extraction workers ........................... 122 2 15 5 20 11

Construction trades workers ............................................................ 890 16 9 1 38 11

Helpers, construction trades ............................................................ 23 4( ) 13 – 35 –

Other construction and related workers ........................................... 64 1 20 5 11 –

Extraction workers ........................................................................... 81 1 14 – 14 21

Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations ........................ 396 7 17 3 13 16

Supervisors of installation, maintenance, and repair workers ......... 19 4( ) 16 – 16 –

Electrical and electronic equipment mechanics, installers, and

repairers ........................................................................................ 17 4( ) 24 – 29 –

Vehicle and mobile equipment mechanics, installers, and

repairers ........................................................................................ 138 2 17 2 5 29

Other installation, maintenance, and repair occupations ................. 222 4 17 3 17 9

Production occupations ................................................................... 274 5 8 8 12 21

Supervisors, production workers ..................................................... 39 1 8 18 – 21

Assemblers and fabricators ............................................................. 26 4( ) – – 15 31

Food processing workers ................................................................ 9 4( ) – 33 – –

Metal workers and plastic workers .................................................. 84 1 6 – 19 26

Printing workers ............................................................................... 8 4() – – – –

Textile, apparel, and furnishings workers ........................................ 5 4() – – – –

Woodworkers ................................................................................... 7 4( ) – – – 71

Plant and system operators ............................................................. 15 4( ) 33 – – –

Other production occupations .......................................................... 81 1 5 9 11 15

Transportation and material moving occupations ......................... 1,543 27 50 4 4 7

Supervisors, transportation and material moving workers ............... 23 4( ) 13 13 – 13

Air transportation workers ................................................................ 81 1 ––––

Motor vehicle operators ................................................................... 1,095 19 67 5 3 6

Rail transportation workers .............................................................. 23 4() – – – –

Water transportation workers .......................................................... 35 1 ––––

Other transportation workers ........................................................... 15 4( ) – 27 – –

Material moving workers .................................................................. 271 5 15 2 10 17

Military occupations .......................................................................... 47 1 17 – – –

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 2005 are preliminary. 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 15 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, 2005

Characteristic

Fatalities Selected event or exposure1

(percent of total for characteristic category)

Number Percent Highway2 Homicides Falls Struck by

object

 Total ................................................................................................. 5,702 100 25 10 13 11

Employee status

Wage and salary3 ................................................................................ 4,568 80 28 9 14 10

Self-employed4 .................................................................................... 1,134 20 13 14 12 15

Sex

Men ...................................................................................................... 5,300 93 24 9 14 11

Women ................................................................................................ 402 7 33 24 9 4

Age5

Under 16 years .................................................................................... 24 6( ) – – – 12

16-17 years .......................................................................................... 30 1 13 13 10 20

18-19 years .......................................................................................... 112 2 21 10 16 11

20-24 years .......................................................................................... 403 7 26 10 10 9

25-34 years .......................................................................................... 1,005 18 24 12 11 10

35-44 years .......................................................................................... 1,239 22 26 12 12 11

45-54 years .......................................................................................... 1,383 24 26 9 14 10

55-64 years .......................................................................................... 924 16 28 8 16 10

65 years and older ............................................................................... 575 10 20 6 17 15

Race or ethnic origin7

White ................................................................................................... 3,940 69 26 7 13 11

Black or African-American ................................................................... 577 10 29 20 8 8

Hispanic or Latino ................................................................................ 917 16 19 10 20 12

American Indian or Alaska Native ....................................................... 49 1 31 – 8 10

Asian .................................................................................................... 153 3 12 46 9 6

Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander ..................................................... 9 6() – – – –

Other or not reported ........................................................................... 55 1 15 25 11 7

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 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 7 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 or Latino may be of any race. The race categories shown exclude Hispanic and Latino workers.

NOTE: Totals for 2005 are preliminary. 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, 2004-2005

State of injury

Total fatalities1 Event or exposure4

2005

20042

(revised) 20053 Transportation

incidents5

Assaults

and violent

acts6

Contact

with

objects

and

equipment

Falls

Exposure

to harmful

substances or

environments

Fires and

explosions

Total .............................................................................. 5,764 5,702 2,480 787 1,001 767 496 158

Alabama ............................................................................ 133 128 55 19 23 21 8 –

Alaska ............................................................................... 42 29 21 – – 3 – –

Arizona .............................................................................. 84 99 42 16 17 9 11 –

Arkansas ........................................................................... 70 80 53 5 9 8 3 –

California ........................................................................... 467 453 165 87 76 59 51 14

Colorado ........................................................................... 117 125 76 8 17 9 11 3

Connecticut ....................................................................... 54 46 12 14 10 8 – –

Delaware ........................................................................... 10 10 – – – 3 – –

District of Columbia ........................................................... 11 12 – 4 – 4 – –

Florida ............................................................................... 422 404 186 47 39 72 50 8

Georgia ............................................................................. 232 200 81 32 31 39 13 3

Hawaii ............................................................................... 25 15 6 – – 3 4 –

Idaho ................................................................................. 38 35 15 – 12 5 – –

Illinois ................................................................................ 208 194 74 30 34 24 26 6

Indiana .............................................................................. 153 157 72 15 25 23 14 8

Iowa .................................................................................. 82 88 44 3 26 8 – 4

Kansas .............................................................................. 80 81 40 12 16 4 5 –

Kentucky ........................................................................... 143 122 54 16 30 16 5 –

Louisiana ........................................................................... 121 106 53 11 18 10 13 –

Maine ................................................................................ 16 15 5 – 5 3 – –

Maryland ........................................................................... 81 95 31 23 16 19 4 –

Massachusetts .................................................................. 72 75 23 12 15 14 7 4

Michigan ............................................................................ 127 110 40 16 20 19 10 5

Minnesota ......................................................................... 80 87 34 12 26 11 3 –

Mississippi ......................................................................... 88 111 49 19 20 17 6 –

Missouri ............................................................................. 165 183 91 20 42 12 12 6

Montana ............................................................................ 39 50 19 8 14 7 – –

Nebraska ........................................................................... 46 36 18 4 10 3 – –

Nevada .............................................................................. 61 57 26 7 7 10 6 –

New Hampshire ................................................................ 15 18 9 – 5 3 – –

New Jersey ....................................................................... 129 111 51 17 16 15 6 5

New Mexico ...................................................................... 57 44 23 9 4 4 – –

New York (including N.Y.C.) ............................................. 254 239 87 49 40 33 23 7

New York City ............................................................... 107 88 18 29 11 17 9 4

North Carolina ................................................................... 183 165 62 22 31 30 15 5

North Dakota ..................................................................... 24 22 9 – 5 5 3 –

Ohio .................................................................................. 202 168 71 23 34 18 18 4

Oklahoma .......................................................................... 91 95 57 9 10 10 5 4

Oregon .............................................................................. 60 65 31 5 15 11 – –

Pennsylvania ..................................................................... 230 223 107 41 30 33 10 –

Rhode Island ..................................................................... 7 6 ––––––

South Carolina .................................................................. 113 133 61 18 21 13 17 –

South Dakota .................................................................... 24 28 16 – 7 3 – –

Tennessee ........................................................................ 145 139 70 18 29 14 5 3

Texas ................................................................................ 440 495 200 67 80 54 63 31

Utah .................................................................................. 50 54 29 – 12 5 4 –

Vermont ............................................................................ 7 7 – – 4 – – –

Virginia .............................................................................. 171 186 69 22 35 33 21 6

Washington ....................................................................... 98 83 40 6 20 8 8 –

West Virginia ..................................................................... 58 46 23 5 7 3 7 –

Wisconsin .......................................................................... 94 125 48 20 22 25 6 3

Wyoming ........................................................................... 43 46 25 3 11 – – –

1 State totals include other events and exposures, such as bodily reaction, in addition to those shown separately. 2 The BLS news release issued August 25, 2005, reported a total of 5,703 fatal work injuries for calendar year 2004. Since then, an additional 61

job-related fatalities were identified, bringing the total job-related fatality count for 2004 to 5,764. Includes 2 fatalities that occurred within the territorial

boundaries of the United States, but a State of incident could not be determined. 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, rail fatalities, and fatalities resulting from being struck by a vehicle. 6 Includes violence by persons, self-inflicted injuries, and attacks by animals.

NOTE: Totals for 2005 are preliminary. 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) 703-4757 

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (303) 692-2173 

Connecticut Labor Department (860) 263-6933 

Delaware Department of Labor (302) 761-8221 

District of Columbia State Center for Health Statistics (202) 442-9010 

Florida Department of Financial Services (850) 413-1611 

Georgia Department of Labor (404) 679-0687 ext. 113 

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

Idaho Industrial Commission (208) 334-6090 

Illinois Department of Public Health (217) 558-0500 

Indiana Department of Labor (317) 232-2668 

Iowa Division of Labor Services (515) 281-5151 

Kansas Department of Labor (785) 296-1640 

Kentucky Department of Labor (502) 564-3070 ext. 280 

Louisiana Department of Labor (225) 342-3126 

Maine Bureau of Labor Standards (207) 624-6454 

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

Massachusetts Department of Public Health (617) 624-5679 

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

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

Mississippi Department of Health (601) 576-7816 

Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (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 Div. of Vital Records Administration (603) 271-4647 

New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services (609) 292-9553 

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) 788-4585 

North Carolina Department of Labor (919) 733-0337 

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

Ohio Department of Health (614) 466-4183 

Oklahoma Department of Labor (405) 528-1500 

Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services (503) 947-7991 

Pennsylvania Department of Health (717) 783-0295 ext. 210 

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 (312) 353-7200 ext. 410 

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

Texas Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers' (512) 804-4599 

Compensation 

Utah Utah Occupational Safety and Health Statistics (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 Division of Labor (304) 558-7890 ext. 112 

Wisconsin Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene (608) 221-6289 

Wyoming Department of Employment (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 normal commute to or from 

work are excluded from the census counts.) 

 Data presented in this release include deaths occurring in 2005 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 2005, there were 73 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 21 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 
16

related. States have up to seven months 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 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 fewer than 22 fatalities per 

year or less than 0.5 percent of the revised total. The BLS news release issued August 25, 

2005, reported a total of 5,703 fatal work injuries for 2004. Since then, an additional 61 

fatal work injuries were identified, bringing the total for 2004 to 5,764. Revised counts for 

2005 will be available in April 2007. 

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 20 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. (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.