News United States 

Department 

of Labor 

Bureau of Labor Statistics Washington, D.C. 20212 

1 

Technical information: (202) 691-6170 USDL 07-1202 

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

Internet address: http://www.bls.gov/iif/oshcfoi1.htm Thursday, August 9, 2007 

NATIONAL CENSUS OF FATAL OCCUPATIONAL INJURIES IN 2006 

There were 5,703 fatal work injuries in the United States in 2006, down slightly from the 

revised total of 5,734 fatalities in 2005. The rate of fatal work injuries in 2006 was 3.9 per 

100,000 workers, down from a rate of 4.0 per 100,000 in 2005. The numbers reported in this 

release are preliminary and will be updated in April 2008. 

Key findings of the 2006 Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries: 

- The overall fatal work injury rate for the U.S. in 2006 was lower than the rate for any 

year since the fatality census was first conducted in 1992. 

- Coal mining industry fatalities more than doubled in 2006, due to the Sago Mine disaster 

and other multiple-fatality coal mining incidents. 

- The number of workplace homicides in 2006 was a series low and reflected a decline of 

over 50 percent from the high reported in 1994. 

- Fatalities among workers under 25 years of age fell 9 percent, and the rate of fatal injury 

among these workers was down significantly. 

- The 937 fatal work injuries involving Hispanic or Latino workers in 2006 was a series 

high, but the overall fatality rate for Hispanic or Latino workers was lower than in 2005. 

- Fatalities among self-employed workers declined 11 percent and reached a series 

low in 2006. 

- Aircraft-related fatalities were up 44 percent, led by a number of multiple-fatality events 

including the August 2006 Comair crash. 

Profile of 2006 fatal work injuries by type of incident 

While fatal highway incidents remained the most frequent type of fatal work-related 

event, accounting for nearly one out of four fatal work injuries, the number of highway incidents 

fell 8 percent in 2006. The 1,329 fatal highway incidents in 2006 was the lowest annual total 

since 1993. Nonhighway incidents (such as those that might occur on a farm or industrial 

premises) remained at about the same level in 2006. Work-related pedestrian fatalities were 

lower. 

Aircraft–related fatalities increased sharply in 2006 after declining in 2005. The 215 

fatalities involving aircraft in 2006 represented a 44 percent increase over the 149 in 2005. 

Overall, there were 44 multiple-fatality aircraft incidents claiming 137 workers in 2006, 
including one (the August 2006 Comair crash) that resulted in 23 fatalities. The annual number 

of aircraft fatalities tends to be volatile and has ranged from a high of 426 fatalities in 1994 to a 

low of 149 in 2005. 

Fatal work injuries involving falls increased 5 percent in 2006 after a sharp decrease in 

2005. The 809 fatal falls in 2006 was the third highest total since 1992, when the fatality census 

began. Fatal falls from roofs increased from 160 fatalities in 2005 to 184 in 2006, a rise of 

15 percent. 

400

600

800

1,000

1,200

1,400

1,600

1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

Highway incidents Homicides Falls Struck by object

Four most frequent work-related fatal events, 1992–2006

Number of fatalities

p = Preliminary

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

SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, 2007

1,158

1,242

1,343 1,346 1,346 1,393 1,442

1,496

1,365

1,409

1,373 1,353

1,398

1,329 (p)

1,437

1,044

1,074 1,080 1,036

927

860

714

651 677

643 609

632

559 567 516 (p)

600 618 665 651 691 716

706

721

734

810

719

696

822 809 (p) 770

557 565 590 547 582 579 520 585 571 553 505 531

602 607 583 (p)

Workplace homicides decreased 9 percent to 516 in 2006, the lowest annual total ever 

reported by the fatality census. Overall, workplace homicides have decreased more than 

50 percent from the series high in 1994. 

The number of workers who were fatally injured from being struck by objects was lower 

in 2006, after increasing for the last three years. The 583 fatalities resulting from being struck by 

objects in 2006 represented a 4 percent decline from the 2005 total. 

Fatalities involving fires and explosions increased by 26 percent in 2006, rising from 159 

in 2005 to 201 in 2006. Fatalities resulting from exposure to harmful substances or

environments were also higher in 2006, led by a 12 percent increase in exposure to caustic, 

noxious, or allergenic substances (from 136 in 2005 to 153 in 2006). 

Profile of fatal work injuries by demographic characteristics 

Fatal work injuries involving female workers increased 5 percent in 2006 after declining 

the past two years. Despite the increase, the 428 fatal work injuries involving female workers 

was the third lowest annual total for female workers in the 15 years of the fatality census. The 

number and rate of fatal injury among male workers were both lower in 2006. 

2 
The 937 fatal work injuries among Hispanic or Latino workers in 2006 was up from the 

923 fatal work injuries in 2005 and represented the largest annual total since the fatality census 

began in 1992. Due to increased employment, however, the fatality rate for Hispanic or Latino 

workers was lower (4.7 fatalities per 100,000 workers in 2006 versus 4.9 per 100,000 in 2005). 

Among foreign-born Hispanic or Latino workers, fatalities decreased slightly after reaching a 

series high in 2005. Fatalities among White workers, Black or African-American workers, and 

Asian, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander workers were all lower. 

The number of fatal work injuries among workers younger than 25 years of age decreased 

9 percent (516 in 2006 versus 568 in 2005). Fatality rates were also lower, especially for 

workers 16 to 17 years of age, whose fatality rates declined 40 percent. Fatal work injuries 

among workers 55 years of age or older were slightly higher in 2006, but the fatality rate for this 

group of workers was lower, reflecting the growing number of older workers in the workforce. 

Fatalities among self-employed workers were down for the second straight year and 

represented the lowest annual total in the history of the fatality census. The rate of fatal injury 

among self-employed workers fell to 9.4 fatalities per 100,000 workers, down from 10.7 per 

100,000 in 2005. Fatalities among wage and salary workers rose 2 percent in 2006, but the rate 

of fatal injury for wage and salary workers was unchanged from 2005. 

Profiles of fatal injuries by industry 

Of the 5,703 fatal work injuries in 2006, 5,202 occurred in private industry. Serviceproviding industries in the private sector accounted for 47 percent (2,693 fatalities), while private 

goods-producing industries accounted for 44 percent (2,509 fatalities). Government workers 

accounted for 9 percent (501) of fatalities in 2006. The fatality rate for goods-producing 

industries was unchanged in 2006, while the fatality rate for service-providing industries and for 

government were both lower in 2006. 

Construction accounted for 1,226 fatal work injuries, the most of any industry sector. 

The total for construction represented an increase of 3 percent over the 2005 total. Fatalities 

among specialty trade contractors rose 6 percent (from 677 fatalities in 2005 to 721 in 2006), due 

primarily to higher numbers of fatal work injuries among building finishing contractors and 

roofing contractors. Fatalities in building construction and in heavy and civil engineering 

construction decreased in 2006. 

Transportation and warehousing fatalities decreased from 885 in 2005 to 832 in 2006, a 

6 percent decline. The decrease was due in large part to a sharp decline in fatal injuries in 

general freight trucking. Rail and water transportation fatalities were also lower, but air 

transportation fatalities rose sharply.

Mining fatalities increased 19 percent in 2006. Fatal work injuries in coal mining more

than doubled in 2006 due in part to the Sago mine disaster and other mining incidents. A total of 

47 coal mining fatalities were recorded in 2006, up from 22 in 2005, due in part to 4 multiplefatality incidents in coal mining in 2006, claiming a total of 21 workers. The fatality rate for coal 

3 
mining jumped 84 percent in 2006 to 49.5 fatalities per 100,000 workers, up from 26.8 in 2005. 

Oil and gas extraction fatalities were also higher in 2006. 

 

Fatalities in the agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting sector decreased 10 percent in 

2006, and the rate of fatal injury dropped from 32.5 per 100,000 in 2005 to 29.6 per 100,000 in 

2006. Crop production, which reported the highest number of fatalities in agriculture, had 

14 percent fewer fatal work injuries in 2006 than in 2005. The rate of fatal injury in crop 

production fell from 38.2 in 2005 to 33.0 in 2006. 

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, 2006

1,250 750 250 0 10 20 30 40

175

351

217

447

252

449

501

646

832

1,226

64

190

172

122

52

10.8

16.3

29.6

2.3

3.1

2.7

2.1

2.2

4.8

27.8

2.5

0.9

1.2

6.2

1.9

Financial activities

Number of fatalities Fatality rate (per 100,000 employed) 1,500 1,000 500

Total fatalities = 5,703

All worker fatality rate = 3.9

SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, 2007

 Manufacturing fatalities were up 14 percent in 2006. The fatality rate in manufacturing 

rose from 2.4 fatalities per 100,000 manufacturing workers in 2005 to 2.7 per 100,000 in 2006, 

an increase of 13 percent. 

Fatalities in wholesale trade also increased, while fatalities in retail trade decreased 

12 percent. The decline in retail trade fatalities was led by a drop of close to 25 percent in both 

the rate and number of fatalities in the food and beverage stores industry. Homicides in retail 

trade decreased 25 percent in 2006 (from 184 in 2005 to 138 in 2006). 

The number of fatal injuries in professional and business services decreased 7 percent in 

2006, and the rate of fatal injury was also lower. However, the number and rate of fatal injury in 

both educational and health services and in leisure and hospitality services were higher. 

Overall, fatal work injuries decreased 4 percent among government workers. The rate of 

fatal injury was lower for local government workers in 2006, but higher for federal government 

workers. The rate for State government remained about the same as in 2005. 

4 
Profile of fatal work injuries by occupation 

Two occupational groups (construction and extraction occupations and transportation and 

material moving occupations) together accounted for nearly half of all fatal work injuries in 2006 

(48 percent). 

Construction and extraction worker fatalities rose 6 percent in 2006 (from 1,184 in 2005 

to 1,258 in 2006), though the rate of 13.2 per 100,000 in 2006 was not significantly higher than 

the rate in 2005. Construction laborers accounted for the highest number of fatal work injuries 

among construction and extraction occupations, accounting for 360 fatal work injuries, up 

5 percent from 2005. Fatalities among electricians, roofers, painters, and drywall and ceiling tile 

installers also rose. Fatalities decreased among carpenters, construction trade helpers, and 

among plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters. 

100 0 400 800

940

82

38

291

38

36

101

51

Selected occupations with high fatality rates, 2006

141.7

87.8

61.0

41.8

37.1

34.9

33.9

27.1

21.7

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

Miscellaneous agricultural

workers

Roofers

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

82.1 64

150 50 200 600

Total fatalities = 5,703

All worker fatality rate = 3.9

1,000

158

SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, 2007

Transportation and material moving worker fatalities decreased 6 percent in 2006, 

primarily as a result of a 7 percent decline in motor vehicle operator fatalities (from 1,100 in 

2005 to 1,021 in 2006). The overall fatality rate for transportation and material moving 

occupations decreased 8 percent in 2006 to 16.5 per 100,000 workers. Fatalities among air 

transportation workers rose by 22 percent in 2006, but fatalities decreased among rail 

transportation, water transportation, and material moving workers. 

Farming, fishing, and forestry worker fatalities decreased 11 percent in 2006, from 325 in 

2005 to 289 in 2006, though the fatality rate was not significantly lower. Fatalities were lower 

among agricultural workers and among forest conservation and logging workers, but slightly 

higher among fishing and related fishing workers, such as captains and mates. 

Fatalities in protective service occupations increased 6 percent in 2006, led by a rise in 

fire fighter fatalities (from 28 fatalities in 2005 to 42 in 2006). There were fewer work-related 

5 
fatalities among law enforcement workers in 2006 as compared to 2005. Military fatalities 

(domestic only) were slightly higher in 2006. 

Profile of fatal work injuries by state 

Twenty-seven States reported higher numbers of fatalities in 2006, and 23 States and the 

District of Columbia had lower totals. Texas recorded the highest number of fatalities of any 

State (486), followed by California (448), and Florida (355). Twelve States reported increases of 

20 percent or more (Alaska, Delaware, Hawaii, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Nebraska, New 

Mexico, North Dakota, Rhode Island, Vermont, and West Virginia). Seven states (Alabama, 

Iowa, New Hampshire, New Jersey, South Carolina, Wisconsin, and Wyoming) and the District 

of Columbia recorded declines of 20 percent or more. 

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 

describe 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, news accounts, and reports to Federal and State agencies. This method 

assures counts are as complete and accurate as possible. For the 2006 data, over 21,000 unique 

source documents were reviewed as part of the data collection process. 

This is the 15th 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 days away from work. 

Copies of the news releases on nonfatal injuries and illnesses in 2005 are available from BLS by 

calling (202) 691-6170 or by accessing the website listed below. Incidence rates for 2006 by 

industry will be published in October 2007, and information on 2006 worker and case 

characteristics will be available in November 2007. For additional data, access the BLS Internet 

site: http://www.bls.gov/iif/.

6 
Table 1. Fatal occupational injuries by event or exposure, 2001-2006

Event or exposure1

Fatalities

2001-2005

average

20052 2006

Number Percent

Total ................................................................................................. 5,704 5,734 5,703 100

Transportation incidents .................................................................. 2,451 2,493 2,413 42

Highway ........................................................................................... 1,394 1,437 1,329 23

Collision between vehicles, mobile equipment ............................ 686 718 644 11

Moving in same direction ......................................................... 151 175 152 3

Moving in opposite directions, oncoming ................................. 254 265 234 4

Moving in intersection .............................................................. 137 134 138 2

Vehicle struck stationary object or equipment in roadway ........... 27 27 19 3( )

Vehicle struck stationary object, equipment on side of road ....... 310 345 337 6

Noncollision ................................................................................. 335 318 297 5

Jack-knifed or overturned-no collision ..................................... 274 273 248 4

Nonhighway (farm, industrial premises) .......................................... 335 340 342 6

Overturned ............................................................................... 175 182 165 3

Worker struck by a vehicle .............................................................. 369 391 372 7

Rail vehicle ...................................................................................... 60 83 65 1

Water vehicle ................................................................................... 82 88 89 2

Aircraft ............................................................................................. 206 149 215 4

Assaults and violent acts ................................................................. 850 792 754 13

Homicides ........................................................................................ 602 567 516 9

Shooting ...................................................................................... 465 441 417 7

Stabbing ...................................................................................... 60 60 38 1

Self-inflicted injuries ......................................................................... 207 180 199 3

Contact with objects and equipment ............................................... 952 1,005 983 17

Struck by object ............................................................................... 560 607 583 10

Struck by falling object ................................................................. 345 385 378 7

Struck by flying object .................................................................. 50 53 69 1

Caught in or compressed by equipment or objects ......................... 256 278 281 5

Caught in running equipment or machinery ................................. 128 121 148 3

Caught in or crushed in collapsing materials ................................... 118 109 107 2

Falls .................................................................................................... 763 770 809 14

Fall to lower level ............................................................................. 669 664 728 13

Fall from ladder ............................................................................ 125 129 129 2

Fall from roof ............................................................................... 154 160 184 3

Fall from scaffold, staging ............................................................ 87 82 88 2

Fall on same level ............................................................................ 73 84 59 1

Exposure to harmful substances or environments ........................ 498 501 525 9

Contact with electric current ............................................................ 265 251 247 4

Contact with overhead power lines .............................................. 118 112 108 2

Contact with temperature extremes ................................................. 44 55 53 1

Exposure to caustic, noxious, or allergenic substances .................. 114 136 153 3

Inhalation of substance ................................................................ 56 66 58 1

Oxygen deficiency ........................................................................... 74 59 64 1

Drowning, submersion ................................................................. 54 48 50 1

Fires and explosions ......................................................................... 174 159 201 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 August 10, 2006, reported a total of 5,702 fatal work injuries for calendar year 2005. 

Since then, an additional 32 job-related fatalities were identified, bringing the total job-related fatality count for 2005 to

5,734. 3 Less than or equal to 0.5 percent.

NOTE: Totals for 2006 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, 2006

Industry1

Fatalities Selected event or exposure2

(percent of total for industry)

Number Percent Highway3 Homicides Falls Struck by

object

Total ............................................................................................. 5,703 100 23 9 14 10

Private industry ............................................................................... 5,202 91 22 8 15 11

Goods producing ........................................................................... 2,509 44 13 1 21 14

Natural resources and mining .................................................... 836 15 13 4( ) 4 20

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting ..................................... 646 11 12 4( ) 3 21

Crop production ....................................................................... 303 5 12 1 4 17

Animal production .................................................................... 150 3 8 – 5 18

Forestry and logging ................................................................ 99 2 20 – 3 55

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

Agriculture and forestry support activities ................................ 41 1 17 – – –

Mining5 ........................................................................................ 190 3 16 – 5 18

Oil and gas extraction .............................................................. 21 4( ) 19 – – –

Mining, except oil and gas ....................................................... 67 1 – – – 7

Support activities for mining .................................................... 102 2 23 – 7 26

Construction ................................................................................ 1,226 21 12 1 35 10

Construction ................................................................................ 1,226 21 12 1 35 10

Construction of buildings ......................................................... 218 4 10 3 45 9

Heavy and civil engineering construction ................................ 224 4 15 – 9 13

Specialty trade contractors ...................................................... 721 13 11 1 40 9

Manufacturing .............................................................................. 447 8 13 3 13 14

Manufacturing .............................................................................. 447 8 13 3 13 14

Food manufacturing ................................................................. 59 1 29 – 8 –

Wood product manufacturing .................................................. 36 1 8 – 19 25

Chemical manufacturing .......................................................... 32 1 – – 9 –

Nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing ............................ 59 1 25 – 14 15

Primary metal manufacturing ................................................... 36 1 – – – 25

Fabricated metal product manufacturing ................................. 46 1 7 – 24 24

Machinery manufacturing ........................................................ 33 1 12 – – 21

Transportation equipment manufacturing ................................ 51 1 – 8 14 16

Service providing .......................................................................... 2,693 47 32 15 9 8

Trade, transportation, and utilities ............................................ 1,452 25 42 12 6 7

Wholesale trade ........................................................................... 217 4 36 2 11 15

Merchant wholesalers, durable goods ..................................... 107 2 29 4 7 26

Merchant wholesalers, nondurable goods ............................... 102 2 43 – 15 5

Retail trade .................................................................................. 351 6 21 39 9 5

Motor vehicle and parts dealers .............................................. 69 1 42 9 6 9

Building material and garden supply stores ............................. 40 1 20 10 22 18

Food and beverage stores ....................................................... 79 1 4 75 8 –

Gasoline stations ..................................................................... 51 1 10 76 – –

General merchandise stores ................................................... 25 4( ) 20 28 20 –

Miscellaneous store retailers ................................................... 21 4( ) 29 24 – –

Transportation and warehousing ................................................. 832 15 55 4 3 6

Air transportation ..................................................................... 51 1 ––––

Truck transportation ................................................................. 537 9 71 1 3 5

Transit and ground passenger transportation .......................... 57 1 37 49 – –

Support activities for transportation ......................................... 81 1 20 – – 22

Couriers and messengers ....................................................... 41 1 66 7 – 7

Utilities ......................................................................................... 52 1 17 – 15 12

Information ................................................................................... 64 1 44 – 14 5

Information ................................................................................... 64 1 44 – 14 5

Publishing industries, except Internet ...................................... 27 4( ) 67 – – –

Financial activities ....................................................................... 122 2 16 24 13 3

Finance and insurance ................................................................ 44 1 23 25 11 –

Credit intermediation and related activities .............................. 21 4( ) 33 33 – –

Real estate and rental and leasing .............................................. 78 1 12 23 14 5

Real estate .............................................................................. 55 1 5 25 20 7

Rental and leasing services ..................................................... 23 4( ) 26 17 – –

Professional and business services .......................................... 449 8 21 7 19 11

Professional and technical services ............................................ 78 1 17 14 12 4

Professional and technical services ........................................ 78 1 17 14 12 4

Administrative and waste services .............................................. 371 7 22 6 20 13

Administrative and support services ........................................ 294 5 16 7 24 14

Waste management and remediation services ....................... 77 1 42 – 6 8

See footnotes at end of table.

8
Table 2. Fatal occupational injuries by industry and selected event or exposure, 2006 — Continued

Industry1

Fatalities Selected event or exposure2

(percent of total for industry)

Number Percent Highway3 Homicides Falls Struck by

object

Educational and health services ................................................ 172 3 27 15 8 2

Educational services .................................................................... 49 1 18 – 10 –

Educational services ................................................................ 49 1 18 – 10 –

Health care and social assistance ............................................... 123 2 30 20 7 3

Ambulatory health care services ............................................. 55 1 36 18 – –

Hospitals .................................................................................. 20 4( ) 25 – – –

Nursing and residential care facilities ...................................... 22 4( ) 14 32 27 –

Social assistance ..................................................................... 24 4( ) 29 21 – –

Leisure and hospitality ............................................................... 252 4 9 43 9 3

Arts, entertainment, and recreation ............................................. 79 1 6 19 9 6

Performing arts and spectator sports ...................................... 44 1 – 9 14 7

Amusements, gambling, and recreation ................................. 31 1 – 35 – –

Accommodation and food services .............................................. 173 3 10 54 9 –

Accommodation ....................................................................... 38 1 8 13 24 –

Food services and drinking places .......................................... 135 2 11 65 5 –

Other services, except public administration ........................... 175 3 14 17 12 19

Other services, except public administration ............................... 175 3 14 17 12 19

Repair and maintenance ......................................................... 110 2 9 17 6 27

Personal and laundry services ................................................ 27 4( ) 22 30 – –

Membership associations and organizations ........................... 32 1 25 – 34 –

Government6 ................................................................................... 501 9 32 15 8 4

Federal government ........................................................................ 111 2 28 10 11 7

Public administration ................................................................... 65 1 23 – 8 12

National security and international affairs ................................ 52 1 25 – 6 13

State government ............................................................................ 109 2 44 11 6 4

Public administration ................................................................... 57 1 49 12 5 –

Justice, public order, and safety activities ............................... 36 1 42 19 – –

Local government ............................................................................ 272 5 29 19 7 3

Public administration ................................................................... 162 3 33 28 2 –

Justice, public order, and safety activities ............................... 147 3 33 30 – –

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 Less than or equal to 0.5 percent. 5 Includes fatalities at all establishments categorized as Mining (Sector 21) in the North American Industry 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.

6 Includes fatalities to workers employed by governmental organizations regardless of industry.

NOTE: Totals for 2006 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 8 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, 2006

Occupation1

Fatalities Selected event or exposure2

(percent of total for occupation)

Number Percent Highway3 Homicides Falls Struck by

object

Total ................................................................................................. 5,703 100 23 9 14 10

Management occupations ................................................................ 543 10 11 9 9 13

Top executives ................................................................................ 25 4( ) 32 – – –

Advertising, marketing, promotions, public relations, and sales

managers ....................................................................................... 12 4( ) 50 – – –

Operations specialties managers .................................................... 29 1 10 – 21 –

Other management occupations ..................................................... 477 8 9 10 8 14

Business and financial operations occupations ............................ 38 1 26 13 18 –

Business operations specialists ....................................................... 23 4( ) 35 13 17 –

Financial specialists ......................................................................... 15 4( ) – – 20 –

Computer and mathematical occupations ...................................... 16 4( ) 19 – 25 –

Computer specialists ....................................................................... 15 4( ) 20 – 20 –

Architecture and engineering occupations .................................... 54 1 26 – 19 6

Architects, surveyors, and cartographers ........................................ 14 4( ) – – 21 –

Engineers ........................................................................................ 29 1 24 – 21 –

Drafters, engineering, and mapping technicians ............................. 11 4( ) 45 – – –

Life, physical, and social science occupations .............................. 25 4( ) 16 – 20 –

Physical scientists ........................................................................... 7 4() – – – –

Social scientists and related workers .............................................. 5 4() – – – –

Life, physical, and social science technicians ................................. 11 4() – – – –

Community and social services occupations ................................. 31 1 55 23 10 –

Counselors, social workers, and other community and social

service specialists .......................................................................... 19 4( ) 58 21 – –

Religious workers ............................................................................ 12 4( ) 50 25 – –

Legal occupations ............................................................................. 11 4( ) – 45 – –

Lawyers, judges, and related workers ............................................. 9 4( ) – 44 – –

Education, training, and library occupations ................................. 23 4( ) 30 – 22 –

Primary, secondary, and special education school teachers ........... 11 4( ) 27 – 27 –

Other teachers and instructors ........................................................ 6 4() – – – –

Other education, training, and library occupations .......................... 5 4() – – – –

Arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media occupations ....... 45 1 9 – 11 –

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

Entertainers and performers, sports and related workers ............... 26 4( ) – – 19 –

Media and communication workers ................................................. 5 4( ) 60 – – –

Media and communication equipment workers ............................... 10 4() – – – –

Healthcare practitioners and technical occupations ..................... 54 1 28 19 – –

Health diagnosing and treating practitioners ................................... 41 1 22 22 – –

Health technologists and technicians .............................................. 13 4( ) 46 – – –

Healthcare support occupations ...................................................... 20 4( ) 40 15 15 –

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

Other healthcare support occupations ............................................. 3 4() – – – –

Protective service occupations ........................................................ 274 5 27 33 1 2

First-line supervisors managers, protective service workers ........... 21 4( ) 24 19 – –

Fire fighting and prevention workers ............................................... 44 1 20 – – –

Law enforcement workers ............................................................... 131 2 40 38 – 2

Other protective service workers ..................................................... 78 1 12 46 4 –

Food preparation and serving related occupations ....................... 78 1 9 54 10 –

Supervisors, food preparation and serving workers ........................ 26 4( ) – 73 – –

Cooks and food preparation workers ............................................... 14 4( ) – 36 – –

Food and beverage serving workers ............................................... 28 4( ) – 57 18 –

Other food preparation and serving related workers ....................... 10 4( ) 60 – – –

Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations ... 277 5 11 5 29 14

Supervisors, building and grounds cleaning and maintenance

workers .......................................................................................... 36 1 25 – 17 –

Building cleaning and pest control workers ..................................... 74 1 14 11 39 –

Grounds maintenance workers ........................................................ 167 3 7 2 27 22

Personal care and service occupations .......................................... 56 1 11 21 11 5

Supervisors, personal care and service workers ............................. 5 4( ) – 80 – –

Animal care and service workers ..................................................... 13 4() – – – –

Entertainment attendants and related workers ................................ 8 4() – – – –

Personal appearance workers ......................................................... 6 4( ) – 67 – –

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

Other personal care and service workers ........................................ 19 4( ) 16 – 16 –

Sales and related occupations ......................................................... 308 5 20 48 6 3

Supervisors, sales workers .............................................................. 132 2 11 52 5 5

Retail sales workers ........................................................................ 99 2 13 70 5 –

Sales representatives, services ....................................................... 23 4( ) 48 22 17 –

See footnotes at end of table.

10
Table 3. Fatal occupational injuries by occupation and selected event or exposure, 2006 — Continued

Occupation1

Fatalities Selected event or exposure2

(percent of total for occupation)

Number Percent Highway3 Homicides Falls Struck by

object

Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing ..................... 27 4( ) 59 – 11 –

Other sales and related workers ...................................................... 27 4( ) 30 – – –

Office and administrative support occupations ............................. 82 1 33 29 10 5

Supervisors, office and administrative support workers .................. 8 4( ) – 50 – –

Financial clerks ................................................................................ 5 4() – – – –

Information and record clerks .......................................................... 7 4( ) – 43 – –

Material recording, scheduling, dispatching, and distributing

workers .......................................................................................... 45 1 38 22 11 7

Secretaries and administrative assistants ....................................... 6 4() – – – –

Other office and administrative support workers ............................. 11 4( ) 45 27 – –

Farming, fishing, and forestry occupations .................................... 289 5 11 – 4 23

Supervisors, farming, fishing, and forestry workers ......................... 11 4( ) 27 – – 36

Agricultural workers ......................................................................... 162 3 17 – 6 10

Fishing and hunting workers ............................................................ 51 1 ––––

Forest, conservation, and logging workers ...................................... 65 1 – – – 71

Construction and extraction occupations ...................................... 1,258 22 10 1 33 11

Supervisors, construction and extraction workers ........................... 113 2 19 4 22 11

Construction trades workers ............................................................ 969 17 9 1 38 9

Helpers, construction trades ............................................................ 10 4( ) – – 30 –

Other construction and related workers ........................................... 51 1 12 – 22 8

Extraction workers ........................................................................... 115 2 10 – 6 23

Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations ........................ 415 7 12 3 18 20

Supervisors of installation, maintenance, and repair workers ......... 23 4( ) 22 13 13 13

Electrical and electronic equipment mechanics, installers, and

repairers ........................................................................................ 20 4( ) 20 – 35 20

Vehicle and mobile equipment mechanics, installers, and repairers 137 2 9 4 4 36

Other installation, maintenance, and repair occupations ................. 235 4 12 2 25 11

Production occupations ................................................................... 282 5 6 4 9 18

Supervisors, production workers ..................................................... 25 4( ) – – – 16

Assemblers and fabricators ............................................................. 21 4( ) – – – 29

Food processing workers ................................................................ 8 4() – – – –

Metal workers and plastic workers .................................................. 85 1 4 5 15 25

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

Textile, apparel, and furnishings workers ........................................ 11 4( ) – – – 27

Woodworkers ................................................................................... 14 4( ) – – – 57

Plant and system operators ............................................................. 20 4( ) 15 – – –

Other production occupations .......................................................... 94 2 7 3 9 9

Transportation and material moving occupations ......................... 1,463 26 50 4 4 7

Supervisors, transportation and material moving workers ............... 15 4( ) 27 – – –

Air transportation workers ................................................................ 101 2 ––––

Motor vehicle operators ................................................................... 1,021 18 67 4 3 5

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

Water transportation workers .......................................................... 27 4( ) – – – 11

Other transportation workers ........................................................... 18 4( ) – 39 – –

Material moving workers .................................................................. 265 5 14 3 11 14

Military occupations .......................................................................... 51 1 25 – – 14

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 2006 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 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, 2006

Characteristic

Fatalities Selected event or exposure1

(percent of total for characteristic category)

Number Percent Highway2 Homicides Falls Struck by

object

Total ..................................................................................................... 5,703 100 23 9 14 10

Employee status

Wage and salary3 ................................................................................ 4,690 82 26 8 14 10

Self-employed4 .................................................................................... 1,013 18 12 13 14 13

Sex

Men ...................................................................................................... 5,275 92 23 8 15 11

Women ................................................................................................ 428 8 30 27 9 2

Age5

Under 16 years .................................................................................... 10 6() – – – –

16-17 years .......................................................................................... 20 6( ) – 15 – 20

18-19 years .......................................................................................... 104 2 21 10 12 12

20-24 years .......................................................................................... 382 7 19 8 11 10

25-34 years .......................................................................................... 1,016 18 26 11 12 10

35-44 years .......................................................................................... 1,266 22 24 11 12 9

45-54 years .......................................................................................... 1,378 24 23 8 15 10

55-64 years .......................................................................................... 941 17 24 9 17 11

65 years and older ............................................................................... 577 10 20 5 17 13

Race or ethnic origin7

White ................................................................................................... 3,945 69 25 6 13 10

Black or African-American ................................................................... 552 10 24 21 11 10

Hispanic or Latino ................................................................................ 937 16 17 8 21 12

American Indian or Alaska Native ....................................................... 44 1 39 7 7 9

Asian .................................................................................................... 142 2 15 46 8 4

Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander ..................................................... 10 6( ) 50 – – –

Multiple races ...................................................................................... 10 6( ) 30 – – –

Other or not reported ........................................................................... 63 1 21 11 13 10

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 9 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 2006 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, 2005-2006

State of injury

Total fatalities1 Event or exposure4

2006

20052

(revised) 20063 Transportation

incidents5

Assaults

and violent

acts6

Contact

with

objects

and

equipment

Falls

Exposure

to harmful

substances or

environments

Fires and

explosions

Alabama ............................................................................ 128 100 42 8 26 14 5 5

Alaska ............................................................................... 29 44 24 4 8 – 5 –

Arizona .............................................................................. 99 108 53 18 10 15 12 –

Arkansas ........................................................................... 80 78 47 5 8 12 – 4

California ........................................................................... 465 448 167 61 72 87 45 12

Colorado ........................................................................... 125 137 60 30 23 13 7 3

Connecticut ....................................................................... 46 38 15 10 6 4 – –

Delaware ........................................................................... 11 14 13 –––––

District of Columbia ........................................................... 12 7 – 3 ––––

Florida ............................................................................... 406 355 141 54 36 63 48 11

Georgia ............................................................................. 200 192 80 27 31 33 15 4

Hawaii ............................................................................... 15 30 18 – 6 – – –

Idaho ................................................................................. 35 38 24 – 7 3 – –

Illinois ................................................................................ 194 207 86 36 24 32 27 –

Indiana .............................................................................. 157 148 75 15 26 19 7 6

Iowa .................................................................................. 90 71 38 3 11 11 4 4

Kansas .............................................................................. 81 85 43 7 11 12 7 5

Kentucky ........................................................................... 122 147 77 15 27 13 6 9

Louisiana ........................................................................... 111 118 50 13 21 12 18 4

Maine ................................................................................ 15 20 12 – 3 – – –

Maryland ........................................................................... 95 105 39 24 12 21 8 –

Massachusetts .................................................................. 75 66 16 10 10 16 13 –

Michigan ............................................................................ 110 155 60 21 30 21 17 4

Minnesota ......................................................................... 87 78 29 5 27 9 5 –

Mississippi ......................................................................... 112 96 45 8 20 9 10 –

Missouri ............................................................................. 185 166 76 27 21 23 17 –

Montana ............................................................................ 50 45 30 3 4 4 4 –

Nebraska ........................................................................... 36 57 17 6 19 7 5 3

Nevada .............................................................................. 57 49 16 8 7 10 8 –

New Hampshire ................................................................ 18 13 4 3 3 – – –

New Jersey ....................................................................... 112 88 39 18 9 13 3 6

New Mexico ...................................................................... 44 59 29 3 13 9 5 –

New York (including N.Y.C.) ............................................. 239 233 71 37 43 46 24 12

New York City ............................................................... 88 99 14 21 14 34 10 6

North Carolina ................................................................... 165 167 66 22 30 25 16 8

North Dakota ..................................................................... 22 31 16 – 8 5 – –

Ohio .................................................................................. 168 193 65 22 54 22 22 7

Oklahoma .......................................................................... 95 91 59 – 15 8 4 3

Oregon .............................................................................. 65 72 46 4 13 6 – –

Pennsylvania ..................................................................... 224 240 89 40 44 37 22 8

Rhode Island ..................................................................... 6 10 3 – – 3 – –

South Carolina .................................................................. 132 93 34 19 9 19 10 –

South Dakota .................................................................... 31 37 19 4 10 – – –

Tennessee ........................................................................ 139 153 59 37 29 14 9 5

Texas ................................................................................ 495 486 200 59 87 60 54 23

Utah .................................................................................. 54 60 30 6 9 7 7 –

Vermont ............................................................................ 7 14 6 – 3 – – –

Virginia .............................................................................. 186 164 60 32 38 18 15 –

Washington ....................................................................... 85 87 40 4 13 19 10 –

West Virginia ..................................................................... 46 79 26 3 14 7 7 22

Wisconsin .......................................................................... 125 91 33 11 24 15 4 –

Wyoming ........................................................................... 46 36 23 – 7 – – 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 August 10, 2006, reported a total of 5,702 fatal work injuries for calendar year 2005. Since then, an additional 32

job-related fatalities were identified, bringing the total job-related fatality count for 2005 to 5,734. Includes 1 fatality that occurred within the territorial

boundaries of the United States, but a State of incident could not be determined. 3 Includes 4 fatalities 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 2006 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
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) 542-3737

Arkansas Department of Labor (501) 682-4542

California Department of Industrial Relations (510) 286-0702

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) 623-7907

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) 576-7186

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 Division 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) 728-4116

Oklahoma Department of Labor (405) 528-1500 ext. 236 

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 (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

14 
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. Fatalities to 

volunteer and unpaid family workers who perform the same duties and functions as paid workers 

are also included in the counts. 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 2006 that resulted from

traumatic occupational injuries. An injury is defined as any wound or damage to the body 

resulting from acute exposure to energy, such as heat, electricity, or impact from a crash or fall, 

or from the absence of such essentials as heat or oxygen, caused by a specific event or incident 

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 2006, there were 81 cases included for which work relationship could not be verified 

with a second document; 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 

46 fatalities submitted by States were not included because the source documents had 

15 
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 workrelated. 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 27 fatalities per year or less than 

0.5 percent of the revised total. The BLS news release issued August 10, 2006, reported a total 

of 5,702 fatal work injuries for 2005. Since then, a net addition of 32 fatal work injuries were 

identified, bringing the total for 2005 to 5,734. Revised counts for 2006 will be available in 

April 2008. 

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 18 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 onehalf 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 

16 
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 Federal Railroad Administration; 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.

17