4,405 4,587 4,592 4,808 4,613

4,183

3,488 3,651 3,642 3,571 3,635 3,728 3,751

1,170 1,177 1,142 1,032 1,044 

1,031 

1,063 1,039 1,051 1,057 950 1,093 1,085 

0

1,000

2,000

3,000

4,000

5,000

6,000

7,000

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

Wage and salary Self-employed

5,840 5,657

4,585

Chart 1. Number of fatal work injuries by employee status, 2003–15

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2016.

5,575 5,764 5,734

5,214

4,551 4,690 4,693 4,628

4,821 4,836

For release 10:00 a.m. (EST) Friday, December 16, 2016 USDL-16-2304

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

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

NATIONAL CENSUS OF FATAL OCCUPATIONAL INJURIES IN 2015

A total of 4,836 fatal work injuries were recorded in the United States in 2015, a slight increase from the 4,821

fatal injuries reported in 2014, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. (See chart 1.) This release 

marks the first time that the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) has published a single, annual release 

with no revisions and will be the only release for 2015 CFOI data. A similar schedule will be followed in future 

years. Preliminary releases, which appeared in August or September in past years, will no longer be produced.

Key findings of the 2015 Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries:

 Annual total of 4,836 fatal workplace injuries in 2015 was the highest since 5,214 fatal injuries in 2008.

 The overall rate of fatal work injury for workers in 2015, at 3.38 per 100,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) 

workers, was lower than the 2014 rate of 3.43.

 Hispanic or Latino workers incurred 903 fatal injuries in 2015—the most since 937 fatalities in 2007.

 Workers age 65 years and older incurred 650 fatal injuries, the second-largest number for the group since 

the national census began in 1992, but decreased from the 2014 figure of 684.

 Roadway incident fatalities were up 9 percent from 2014 totals, accounting for over one-quarter of the 

fatal occupational injuries in 2015.

 Workplace suicides decreased 18 percent in 2015; homicides were up 2 percent from 2014 totals.

 Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers recorded 745 fatal injuries, the most of any occupation.

 The 937 fatal work injuries in the private construction industry in 2015 represented the highest total since 

975 cases in 2008.

 Fatal injuries in the private oil and gas extraction industries were 38 percent lower in 2015 than 2014.

 Seventeen percent of decedents were contracted by and performing work for another business or 

government entity in 2015 rather than for their direct employer at the time of the incident.
2

Chart 2. Fatal occupational injuries by major event, 2015

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2016.

Falls to lower level

648 

Homicides

417 

Roadway incidents

1,264 

286 

152 

790 

121 

424 

703 

722 

800 

2,054 

Fires and explosions

Falls, slips, trips

Transportation incidents

0 500 1,000 1,500 2,000 2,500

Exposure to harmful substances

or environments 

Contact with objects and 

equipment

Violence and other injuries by 

persons or animals 

Number of fatal work injuries

Total = 4,836

Worker characteristics

Non-Hispanic Black or African-American workers incurred 495 fatal work injuries in 2015, the most since 

2008, though the rate of fatal injury remained the same as 2014 at 3.2 per 100,000 FTE workers. Fatal injuries 

involving Hispanic or Latino workers rose 12 percent in 2015 to 903 fatalities, up from 804 in 2014. The 

Hispanic or Latino worker rate also rose from 3.7 to 4.0 per 100,000 FTE workers in 2015 and was the highest 

rate among the racial/ethnic groups for which rates are calculated (see table 1).

The number of fatally-injured workers born in Mexico rose 22 percent in 2015 to 415 cases from 340 in 2014. 

Overall, fatal injuries involving foreign-born workers were at the highest level since 2007. Fatally-injured 

workers in 2015 who were born abroad came from about 100 different countries. 

While workers age 45 years and older accounted for 58 percent of workplace fatalities in 2015, they accounted 

for only 45 percent of the total hours worked. Fatal injury rates were generally lower among younger workers 

(2.3 per 100,000 FTE workers for those age 25 to 34 years) and higher among older workers (9.4 per 100,000 

FTE workers for those age 65 years and older).

Fatal injuries among wage and salary workers rose slightly in 2015, but were lower among self-employed 

workers. Self-employed workers, however, had a fatal injury rate that was 4 times higher than the rate for wage 

and salary workers (13.1 fatalities per 100,000 FTE workers compared with 2.8 for wage and salary workers).

While women accounted for 43 percent of the hours worked in 2015, they accounted for only 7 percent of the 

fatal injuries.

Type of incident 

The number of fatal work injuries involving transportation incidents, the incident leading to the most fatal work 

injuries, increased in 2015. Roadway incidents were up 9 percent in 2015 to 1,264 and accounted for 26 percent 

of all fatal work injuries (see chart 2). Almost half of these fatalities (629) involved a semi, tractor-trailer, or 

tanker truck. Of the 253 non-roadway fatalities in 2015, the most frequent vehicle involved was a farm tractor 

(73). Fatal injuries involving pedestrians were lower in 2015, as were rail and water vehicle incidents. 
3

Violence and other injuries by persons or animals resulted in 703 fatal injuries in 2015, down 8 percent from the 

2014 total (see table 2). The number of work-related suicides dropped to 229 in 2015 from 280 in 2014. 

Workplace homicides rose by 2 percent to 417 cases in 2015, with shootings increasing by 15 percent, the first 

increase since 2012. Assailants in workplace homicides differed greatly depending on the gender of the 

decedent. Approximately 43 percent of female decedents were fatally assaulted by a relative or domestic 

partner; the corresponding figure for male decedents was 2 percent. 

Falls to a lower level accounted for 81 percent of all fatal falls. Of those cases where the height of the fall was 

known, more than two-fifths of fatal falls occurred from 15 feet or lower. Fatal falls to a lower level accounted 

for nearly 40 percent of fatal work injuries in the private construction industry in 2015. 

Workers were fatally struck by an object or equipment 519 times in 2015. Workers were most frequently struck 

by plants, trees, and vegetation (110); highway vehicles (104); and construction, logging, and mining 

machinery (54). 

Fatal exposures to electricity were down in 2015, but fatalities due to exposure to temperature extremes rose. 

Workplace deaths due to nonmedical use of drugs or alcohol, unintentional overdose, increased 45 percent in 

2015 to 165. A total of 136 workers were killed in incidents associated with confined spaces in 2015. The 

number of workers who died in multiple-fatality incidents (incidents where more than one worker was killed) 

was down 9 percent to 343 fatalities in 2015. These 343 decedents were killed in 134 separate incidents.

Occupation

Fatal injuries among construction and extraction occupations rose by 2 percent to 924 cases in 2015—the 

highest level since 2008. Several construction occupations recorded their highest fatality total in years, 

including construction laborers (highest since 2008); carpenters (2009); electricians (2009); and plumbers, 

pipefitters, and steamfitters (2003). In contrast, fatal injuries among extraction workers were down sharply to 45 

in 2015 from 88 in 2014. 

Transportation and material moving occupations recorded fewer fatal injuries in 2015 than in 2014, but still 

accounted for over one-fourth of all fatal work injuries in 2015. Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers incurred 

745 fatal work injuries in 2015, the most of any occupation. Fatal injuries among aircraft pilots and flight 

engineers were down 30 percent in 2015 to a series low of 57 fatalities (see chart 3) although they did have a 

high fatal injury rate compared to all workers. Aircraft incidents in 2015 were at their highest level since 2011 

even with this decrease for aircraft pilots and flight engineers. 

Fatal injuries in farming, fishing, and forestry occupations increased 10 percent in 2015 to 284 fatalities—the 

highest level reported for that occupational group in 7 years. Fatalities among agricultural workers rose to 180, 

an increase of 22 percent from the 148 cases reported in 2014. Farmworkers and laborers involved in crop, 

nursery, and greenhouse operations recorded 106 fatalities, an increase of 33 percent from 2014 and matched

highest total ever reported (in 2010) for that occupational group. 

Fatal injuries among building and grounds cleaning and maintenance workers rose 15 percent to 289 in 2015, a 

series high. Fatal injuries involving grounds maintenance workers increased to 183 in 2015 from 158 in 2014, 

which matched the series high in 2011. These workers also had a rate 4 times higher than the national rate—

15.0 per 100,000 FTE workers compared with 3.4 for all workers (see table 3).
4

38

26

252

885

17

33

75

57

23

67

18.1

20.5

22.0

24.3

29.8

38.8

39.7

40.4

54.8

132.7

Driver/sales workers and truck drivers

Structural iron and steel workers

Refuse and recyclable material collectors

Roofers

Aircraft pilots and flight engineers

Fishers and related fishing workers

Logging workers

900 600 300 0 50 100 150

Chart 3. Civilian occupations with high fatal work injury rates, 2015

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

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

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Population Survey, Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, 2016.

Fatal work injury rate

(per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers)

Number of fatal work injuries

Total fatal work injuries = 4,836

All-worker fatal injury rate = 3.4

Electrical power-line installers and repairers

Farmers, ranchers, and other 

agricultural managers

First-line supervisors of landscaping, lawn 

service, and groundskeeping workers

Resident military fatalities rose to 73 in 2015 from 56 in 2014. Multiple fatality incidents account for 49 percent 

of fatalities to the resident military and 7 percent to all workers.

Industry and contracted workers

Fatal injuries in the private construction industry rose 4 percent in 2015 to 937 from 899 in 2014 (see chart 4). 

The 2015 total for construction was the highest since 2008 and was primarily led by an increase in fatal injuries 

among specialty trade contractors, though the rate for construction remained statistically unchanged. The largest

increase among specialty trade contractors involved foundation, structure, and building exterior contractors 

whose fatal injury total rose 27 percent to 231 fatal injuries in 2015 from 182 in 2014. 

The private mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction industry recorded fewer fatal injuries in 2015, 

declining 34 percent to 120 fatal injuries from 183 in 2014 (see table 4). Fatal work injuries in the combined oil 

and gas extraction industries (North American Industry Classification System [NAICS] 21111, 213111, and 

213112) were 38 percent lower. The 2015 combined total for oil and gas extraction industries was the lowest 

since 2009.

Fatal injuries in the private manufacturing industry rose slightly in 2015 to 353 from 349 in 2014. Though the 

increase in manufacturing was small, the 2015 fatal injury total for manufacturing was the highest for that 

industry sector since 2008. The rate remained statistically unchanged from 2014.

Wholesale trade declined 8 percent to 175 cases in 2015—a series low. The number of private transportation 

and warehousing fatalities was essentially unchanged from 2014, but fatal injuries in the private truck 

transportation industry rose 9 percent to 546 in 2015, the highest total since 2007.
5

22

42

83

120

139

175

202

225

269

353

457

477

570

765

937

2.2

1.5

0.9

11.4

0.7

4.7

3.0

2.0

1.8

2.3

1.9

3.0

22.8

13.8

10.1

Utilities

Information

Financial activities

Educational and health services

Wholesale trade

Other services (exc. public admin.)

Leisure and hospitality

Retail trade

Manufacturing

Government

Professional and business services

Transportation and warehousing

Construction

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

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

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Population Survey, Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, 2016.

Fatal work injury rate

(per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers)

Total fatal work injuries = 4,836

All-worker fatal injury rate = 3.4

Number of fatal work injuries

Chart 4. Number and rate of fatal work injuries by industry sector, 2015

Mining, quarrying, and oil 

and gas extraction

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

1,000 750 500 250 0 6.25 12.5 18.75 25.0

Public sector workers accounted for 9 percent of all occupational fatalities. These government workers had a 

lower fatal injury rate (1.9 per 100,000 FTEs) than their private sector counterparts (3.6).

Fatalities among contracted workers rose to 829 in 2015 from 802 in 2014 and accounted for 17 percent of all 

fatalities in 2015. Workers were most often contracted by a firm in the private construction industry (210) or by 

a government entity (147).

State and metropolitan statistical area (MSA) 

Twenty-one states reported higher numbers of fatal injuries in 2015 than in 2014 while 29 states and the District 

of Columbia reported fewer fatalities. Six states recorded fatal injury totals in 2015 that were at or below the 

lowest total ever reported for those states – Alabama, Alaska, Indiana, Maine, Virginia, and West Virginia. 

Although data for Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam are not included in the national totals for this 

release, results for these jurisdictions are available. Participating agencies may be contacted to request more 

detailed state results. Contact information is available at www.bls.gov/iif/oshstate.htm. 

Detailed 2015 data are also available on fatal work injuries for more than 50 Metropolitan Statistical Areas 

(MSAs), and counts of fatal work injuries are available for over 350 MSAs. 

Corrections to 2014 CFOI rate data 

The published fatal occupational injury rates and the total hours worked for 12 occupations, 2 industries, and for 

Asian, non-Hispanic workers were improperly calculated. For details on the affected rates and products, please 

visit www.bls.gov/bls/errata/cfoi-errata-2016.htm. 
6

TECHNICAL NOTES

Background of the program

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

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

CFOI program uses diverse state, federal, and independent data sources to identify, verify, and describe fatal 

work injuries. This ensures counts are as complete and accurate as possible. For the 2015 data, over 21,400

unique source documents were reviewed as part of the data collection process. For technical information and 

definitions for CFOI, please go to the BLS Handbook of Methods on the BLS website at 

www.bls.gov/opub/hom/pdf/homch9.pdf. 

The Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII), another component of the OSHS program, presents 

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

characteristics for nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses for cases that result in days away from work. 

Incidence rates for 2015 by industry and case type were published in October 2016, and information on 2015

case circumstances and worker characteristics was published in November 2016. For additional data, access the 

BLS website: www.bls.gov/iif/. 

Identification and verification of work-related fatalities

In 2015, there were 9 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 were included in the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries 

(CFOI) counts.

Federal/State agency coverage

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

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

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

census counts and those released by other agencies should take into account the different coverage requirements 

and definitions being used by each agency.

Acknowledgements

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

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

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

documents used to identify fatal work injuries. Among these agencies are the Occupational Safety and Health 

Administration; the National Transportation Safety Board; the U.S. Coast Guard; the Mine Safety and Health 

Administration; the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (Federal Employees’ Compensation and 

Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation divisions); the Federal Railroad Administration; the National 

Highway Traffic Safety Administration; state vital statistics registrars, coroners, and medical examiners; state 

departments of health, labor, and industrial relations and workers’ compensation agencies; state and local police 

departments; and state farm bureaus.

Information in this release is available to sensory-impaired individuals. Voice phone: (202) 691-5200; Federal 

Relay Service: (800) 877-8339.
Table 1. Fatal occupational injuries counts and rates by selected demographic characteristics, 2014-15

Characteristic 2014 2015 2014 2015

Total2 4,821 4,836 3.4 3.4

Employee status

Wage and salary workers3 3,728 3,751 2.8 2.8

Self-employed4 1,093 1,085 13.6 13.1

Gender

Women 367 344 0.6 0.6

Men 4,454 4,492 5.6 5.5

Age

Under 16 years 8 12 N/A N/A

16 to 17 years 14 12 N/A N/A

18 to 19 years 42 50 2.0 2.1

20 to 24 years 292 329 2.3 2.7

25 to 34 years 753 758 2.4 2.3

35 to 44 years 860 864 2.8 2.7

45 to 54 years 1,161 1,130 3.6 3.5

55 to 64 years 1,007 1,031 4.3 4.3

65 years and over 684 650 10.7 9.4

Race or ethnic origin5

White (non-Hispanic) 3,332 3,241 3.6 3.5

Black or African-American (non-Hispanic) 475 495 3.2 3.2

Hispanic or Latino 804 903 3.7 4.0

American Indian or Alaskan Native (non-Hispanic) 34 36 N/A N/A

Asian (non-Hispanic) 137 114 1.8 1.4

Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander (non-Hispanic) 5 9 N/A N/A

Multiple races (non-Hispanic) 20 12 N/A N/A

Other races or not reported (non-Hispanic) 14 26 N/A N/A

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

1

 Fatal injury rates are per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers (FTEs). Complete national rates can be found at www.bls.gov/iif/oshcfoi1.htm#rates. Complete state rates can be found at 

www.bls.gov/iif/oshstate.htm. National and state rates are calculated using different methodology and cannot be directly compared. Please see www.bls.gov/iif/oshfaq1.htm#q17 for more 

information on how rates are calculated and caveats for comparison. N/A means a rate was not published for this group.

Counts

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, and may include some owners of incorporated businesses or members of 

partnerships.

5

 Persons identified as Hispanic or Latino may be of any race. The race categories shown exclude data for Hispanics and Latinos.

Note: Data for all years are final. Totals for major categories may include subcategories not shown separately. CFOI fatal injury counts exclude illness-related deaths unless precipitated by an 

injury event.

Rates1

2

 The Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) has published data on fatal occupational injuries for the United States since 1992. During this time, the classification systems and definitions of many 

data elements have changed. Please see the CFOI Definitions page (www.bls.gov/iif/oshcfdef.htm) for a more detailed description of each data element and their definitions.

7
Table 2. Fatal occupational injuries for selected events or exposures, 2011-15

Characteristic 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

Total1

 4,693 4,628 4,585 4,821 4,836

Event or exposure2

Violence and other injuries by persons or animals 791 803 773 765 703

Intentional injury by person 718 725 686 689 646

Homicides 468 475 404 409 417

Shooting by other person—intentional 365 381 322 307 354

Stabbing, cutting, slashing, piercing 42 35 38 40 28

Suicides 250 249 282 280 229

Transportation incidents 1,937 1,923 1,865 1,984 2,054

Aircraft incidents 145 127 136 135 139

Rail vehicle incidents 50 38 41 57 50

Pedestrian vehicular incident 316 293 294 318 289

Pedestrian struck by vehicle in work zone 63 65 48 53 44

Water vehicle incident 72 63 60 55 44

Roadway incident involving motorized land vehicle 1,103 1,153 1,099 1,157 1,264

Roadway collision with other vehicle 525 565 564 611 660

Roadway collision moving in same direction 150 124 144 146 166

Roadway collision moving in opposite directions, oncoming 172 204 192 230 224

Roadway collision moving perpendicularly 111 134 136 131 154

Roadway collision with object other than vehicle 313 338 332 317 360

Vehicle struck object or animal on side of roadway 292 318 311 292 335

Roadway noncollision incident 262 247 201 228 240

Jack-knifed or overturned, roadway 208 202 171 193 201

Nonroadway incident involving motorized land vehicle 222 233 227 248 253

Nonroadway noncollision incident 169 175 181 191 182

Jack-knifed or overturned, nonroadway 113 115 118 127 131

Fire or explosion 144 122 149 137 121

Fall, slip, trip 681 704 724 818 800

Fall on same level 111 120 110 138 125

Fall to lower level 553 570 595 660 648

Fall from collapsing structure or equipment 38 35 45 44 55

Fall through surface or existing opening 60 72 68 82 87

Exposure to harmful substances or environments 419 340 335 390 424

Exposure to electricity 174 156 141 154 134

Exposure to temperature extremes 63 41 38 26 40

Exposure to other harmful substances 144 110 124 182 215

Inhalation of harmful substance 57 40 39 59 45

Contact with objects and equipment 710 723 721 715 722

Struck by object or equipment 476 519 509 503 519

Struck by falling object or equipment 219 241 245 243 247

Caught in or compressed by equipment or objects 145 124 131 132 99

Caught in running equipment or machinery 118 93 105 105 74

Struck, caught, or crushed in collapsing structure, equipment, or material 84 73 78 74 90

Counts

1

 The Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) has published data on fatal occupational injuries for the United States since 1992. During this time, the classification systems and definitions 

of many data elements have changed. Please see the CFOI Definitions page (www.bls.gov/iif/oshcfdef.htm) for a more detailed description of each data element and their definitions.

2

 Based on the BLS Occupational Injury and Illness Classification System (OIICS) 2.01 implemented for 2011 data forward.

Note: Data for all years are final. Totals for major categories may include subcategories not shown separately. CFOI fatal injury counts exclude illness-related deaths unless precipitated by an 

injury event.

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, in cooperation with state, New York City, District of Columbia, and federal agencies, Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries

8
Table 3. Fatal occupational injuries counts and rates for selected occupations, 2014-15

Characteristic 2014 2015 2014 2015

Total2

 4,821 4,836 3.4 3.4

Occupation (SOC)3

Management occupations 440 379 2.5 2.1

Business and financial operations occupations 28 31 0.4 0.4

Computer and mathematical occupations 16 8 0.4 N/A

Architecture and engineering occupations 35 37 1.2 1.2

Life, physical, and social science occupations 18 11 1.3 N/A

Community and social services occupations 33 28 1.1 1.0

Legal occupations 7 12 N/A N/A

Education, training, and library occupations 27 19 0.4 0.3

Arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media occupations 47 65 1.6 2.4

Healthcare practitioners and technical occupations 53 74 0.7 0.9

Healthcare support occupations 14 23 N/A 0.7

Protective service occupations 213 213 6.1 6.2

Fire fighting and prevention workers 26 30 N/A N/A

Law enforcement workers 106 102 N/A N/A

Food preparation and serving related occupations 55 56 0.9 0.9

Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations 252 289 5.1 5.8

Building cleaning and pest control workers 56 59 N/A N/A

Grounds maintenance workers 158 183 13.1 15.0

Personal care and service occupations 63 51 1.4 1.1

Sales and related occupations 239 228 1.7 1.6

Supervisors, sales workers 124 101 N/A N/A

Retail sales workers 78 82 N/A N/A

Office and administrative support occupations 100 86 0.6 0.5

Farming, fishing, and forestry occupations 259 284 24.7 25.3

Agricultural workers 148 180 N/A N/A

Fishing and hunting workers 22 25 N/A N/A

Forest, conservation, and logging workers 78 69 N/A N/A

Construction and extraction occupations 902 924 12.1 12.5

Supervisors of construction and extraction workers 130 123 17.4 16.1

Construction trades workers 625 694 N/A N/A

Extraction workers 88 45 N/A N/A

Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations 406 392 8.1 7.6

Vehicle and mobile equipment mechanics, installers, and repairers 128 129 N/A N/A

Production occupations 212 250 2.5 3.0

Transportation and material moving occupations 1,346 1,301 15.4 14.7

Air transportation workers 84 57 N/A N/A

Motor vehicle operators 979 978 N/A N/A

Material moving workers 224 206 N/A N/A

Military occupations4

 56 73 N/A N/A

Counts Rates1

Note: Data for all years are final. Totals for major categories may include subcategories not shown separately. CFOI fatal injury counts exclude illness-related deaths unless precipitated by 

an injury event.

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, in cooperation with state, New York City, District of Columbia, and federal agencies, Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries

3

 CFOI has used several versions of the Standard Occupation Classification (SOC) system since 2003 to define occupation. For more information on the version of SOC used in this year, see 

our definitions page at www.bls.gov/iif/oshcfdef.htm.

4

 Includes fatal injuries to persons identified as resident armed forces regardless of individual occupation listed.

2

 The Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) has published data on fatal occupational injuries for the United States since 1992. During this time, the classification systems and 

definitions of many data elements have changed. Please see the CFOI Definitions page (www.bls.gov/iif/oshcfdef.htm) for a more detailed description of each data element and their 

definitions.

1

 Fatal injury rates are per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers (FTEs). Complete national rates can be found at www.bls.gov/iif/oshcfoi1.htm#rates. Complete state rates can be found at 

www.bls.gov/iif/oshstate.htm. National and state rates are calculated using different methodology and cannot be directly compared. Please see www.bls.gov/iif/oshfaq1.htm#q17 for more 

information on how rates are calculated and caveats for comparison. N/A means a rate was not published for this group.

9
Table 4. Fatal occupational injuries counts and rates by selected industries, 2014-15

Characteristic 2014 2015 2014 2015

Total2

 4,821 4,836 3.4 3.4

Industry (NAICS)3

Private industry4

 4,386 4,379 3.7 3.6

 Goods producing 2,015 1,980 7.1 6.9

 Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting 584 570 25.6 22.8

 Crop production 251 230 22.4 18.4

 Animal production and aquaculture 166 171 19.3 17.8

 Forestry and logging 95 81 N/A N/A

 Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction5

 183 120 14.2 11.4

 Mining (except oil and gas) 38 28 15.8 12.4

 Support activities for mining 127 86 13.8 12.2

 Construction 899 937 9.8 10.1

 Construction of buildings 180 175 N/A N/A

 Heavy and civil engineering construction 140 148 N/A N/A

 Specialty trade contractors 564 595 N/A N/A

 Manufacturing 349 353 2.3 2.3

 Food manufacturing 56 44 3.3 2.5

 Fabricated metal product manufacturing 34 66 2.9 5.3

 Service providing 2,371 2,399 2.6 2.6

 Wholesale trade 191 175 5.1 4.7

 Retail trade 272 269 1.9 1.8

 Motor vehicle and parts dealers 47 62 2.4 3.0

 Food and beverage stores 69 58 2.5 2.2

 Transportation and warehousing 766 765 14.1 13.8

 Truck transportation 503 546 23.9 25.2

 Utilities 17 22 1.7 2.2

 Information 35 42 1.2 1.5

 Finance and insurance 29 19 0.4 0.3

 Real estate and rental and leasing 88 64 3.4 2.3

 Professional, scientific, and technical services 80 76 0.8 0.8

 Administrative and support and waste management and remediation services 342 401 N/A N/A

 Educational services 40 30 1.0 0.7

 Health care and social assistance 106 109 0.6 0.6

 Arts, entertainment, and recreation 81 82 3.4 3.3

 Accommodation and food services 135 143 1.6 1.6

 Other services, except public administration 186 202 2.7 3.0

Government6

 435 457 1.9 1.9

 Federal government4

 94 118 1.1 1.3

 State government4

 72 81 1.2 1.3

 Local government4

 269 257 2.6 2.6

Note: Data for all years are final. Totals for major categories may include subcategories not shown separately. CFOI fatal injury counts exclude illness-related deaths unless precipitated by an injury 

event.

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, in cooperation with state, New York City, District of Columbia, and federal agencies, Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries

3

 CFOI has used several versions of the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) since 2003 to define industry. For more information on the version of NAICS used in this year, see our 

definitions page at www.bls.gov/iif/oshcfdef.htm.

4

 Includes all fatal occupational injuries meeting this ownership criterion across all specified years, regardless of industry classification system.

Counts Rates1

1

 Fatal injury rates are per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers (FTEs). Complete national rates can be found at www.bls.gov/iif/oshcfoi1.htm#rates. Complete state rates can be found at 

www.bls.gov/iif/oshstate.htm. National and state rates are calculated using different methodology and cannot be directly compared. Please see www.bls.gov/iif/oshfaq1.htm#q17 for more 

information on how rates are calculated and caveats for comparison. N/A means a rate was not published for this group.

2

 The Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) has published data on fatal occupational injuries for the United States since 1992. During this time, the classification systems and definitions of 

many data elements have changed. Please see the CFOI Definitions page (www.bls.gov/iif/oshcfdef.htm) for a more detailed description of each data element and their definitions.

5

 Includes fatal injuries at all establishments categorized as Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction (Sector 21) in the North American Industry Classification System, including establishments not 

governed by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) rules and reporting, such as those in Oil and Gas Extraction.

6

 Includes fatal injuries to workers employed by governmental organizations regardless of industry. Includes all fatal occupational injuries meeting this ownership criterion across all specified years, 

regardless of industry classification system. 

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Table 5. Fatal occupational injuries counts and rates by state of incident, 2014-15

Characteristic 2014 2015 2014 2015

Total2

 4,821 4,836 3.4 3.4

State of incident

Alabama 75 70 4.0 3.7

Alaska 30 14 7.8 4.1

Arizona 88 69 3.1 2.4

Arkansas 67 74 5.7 5.8

California 344 388 2.0 2.2

Colorado 84 75 3.3 2.9

Connecticut 35 44 2.1 2.6

Delaware 12 8 2.8 1.9

District of Columbia 11 8 3.1 2.4

Florida 228 272 2.7 3.1

Georgia 152 180 3.6 4.3

Hawaii 31 18 5.0 2.6

Idaho 34 36 4.7 4.8

Illinois 164 172 2.9 2.9

Indiana 130 115 4.4 3.9

Iowa 91 60 6.0 3.9

Kansas 73 60 5.5 4.4

Kentucky 82 99 4.5 5.5

Louisiana 120 112 6.3 5.8

Maine 19 15 2.9 2.5

Maryland 74 69 2.6 2.4

Massachusetts 55 69 1.7 2.1

Michigan 143 134 3.3 3.1

Minnesota 62 74 2.3 2.7

Mississippi 75 77 7.1 6.8

Missouri 106 117 3.9 4.3

Montana 28 36 4.9 7.5

Nebraska 55 50 5.8 5.4

Nevada 40 44 3.1 3.5

New Hampshire 17 18 2.6 2.7

New Jersey 87 97 2.1 2.3

New Mexico 53 35 6.7 4.1

New York (including N.Y.C.) 241 236 2.8 2.7

New York City 79 74 2.2 2.0

North Carolina 137 150 3.1 3.4

North Dakota 38 47 9.8 12.5

Ohio 185 202 3.6 3.9

Oklahoma 98 91 6.2 5.5

Oregon 69 44 3.9 2.6

Pennsylvania 179 173 3.1 3.0

Rhode Island 10 6 2.1 1.2

South Carolina 64 117 3.3 5.6

South Dakota 29 21 7.2 4.9

Tennessee 127 112 4.8 3.7

Texas 531 527 4.5 4.5

Utah 54 42 4.2 3.2

Vermont 10 9 3.2 2.9

Virginia 116 106 2.8 2.8

Washington 88 70 2.7 2.1

West Virginia 38 35 5.2 5.0

Wisconsin 99 104 3.5 3.6

Wyoming 37 34 13.1 12.0

Note: Data for all years are final. CFOI fatal injury counts exclude illness-related deaths unless precipitated by an injury event.

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, in cooperation with state, New York City, District of Columbia, and federal agencies, Census of Fatal Occupational 

Injuries

Counts Rates1

1

 Fatal injury rates are per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers (FTEs). Complete national rates can be found at www.bls.gov/iif/oshcfoi1.htm#rates. Complete state rates can be 

found at www.bls.gov/iif/oshstate.htm. National and state rates are calculated using different methodology and cannot be directly compared. Please see 

www.bls.gov/iif/oshfaq1.htm#q17 for more information on how rates are calculated and caveats for comparison.

2

 The Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) has published data on fatal occupational injuries for the United States since 1992. During this time, the classification systems and 

definitions of many data elements have changed. Please see the CFOI Definitions page (www.bls.gov/iif/oshcfdef.htm) for a more detailed description of each data element and their 

definitions.

11