News United States 

Department 

of Labor 

Bureau of Labor Statistics Washington, D.C. 20212 

Technical information: (202) 691-6170 USDL 05-1598 

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

Internet address: http://www.bls.gov/iif/oshcfoi1.htm Thursday, August 25, 2005 

NATIONAL CENSUS OF FATAL OCCUPATIONAL INJURIES IN 2004 

 A total of 5,703 fatal work injuries were recorded in the United States in 2004, an 

increase of 2 percent from the revised total of 5,575 fatal work injuries reported for 2003. 

Despite the increase, the total for 2004 was the third lowest annual total recorded by the 

fatality census, which has been conducted each year since 1992. The rate at which fatal 

work injuries occurred in 2004 was 4.1 per 100,000 workers, up slightly from a rate of 

4.0 per 100,000 workers in 2002 and 2003. The increase in the fatality rate in 2004 was 

the first since 1994 when the rate was 5.3 fatalities per 100,000 workers. 

Key findings of the 2004 Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries: 

 Fatal work injuries among Hispanic workers were up 11 percent in 2004 after 

declining the previous two years. 

 The number of fatal work injuries among older workers (55 years of age and 

older) rose 10 percent in 2004, but fatalities among younger workers (16 to 24 

years of age) declined. 

 Workplace homicides were down sharply in 2004 to the lowest level ever 

recorded by the fatality census. 

 Fatal work injuries resulting from being struck by an object rose 12 percent in 

2004, and overtook workplace homicide as the third most frequent type of fatal 

event. 

 Fatal falls increased by 17 percent to a new series high, led by increases in the 

number of fatal falls from ladders and from roofs. 

 The number of fatal work injuries in the construction sector rose 8 percent in 

2004, but because of employment increases in this sector, the fatality rate for 

construction was not significantly higher than the rate reported in 2003. 

 Twenty-seven states reported higher numbers of fatalities in 2004 than in 2003. 
2

Profile of 2004 fatal work injuries by type of incident 

 Fatal work injuries involving falls were up 17 percent in 2004. The 815 fatal falls 

recorded in 2004 represented the highest annual total ever reported by the fatality census 

for this event and followed two years of declines. The increase in fatal falls was led by a 

39 percent increase in the number of workers who were fatally injured after a fall from a 

roof (from 128 fatalities in 2003 to 178 in 2004) and a 17 percent increase in the number 

of fatal falls from ladders (from 114 fatalities in 2003 to 133 in 2004). The totals for falls 

from roofs and for falls from ladders represented new series highs for these events. 

About 88 percent of the fatal falls from roofs involved construction workers, compared 

with about 54 percent for fatal falls overall. 

The four most frequent work-related fatal events, 1992-2004

400

600

800

1,000

1,200

1,400

1,600

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

Highway incidents Homicides Falls Struck by object

600 618 665 651 691 716

706

721

734

1,044

1,074 1,080 1,036

927

860

714

651 677

1,158

1,242

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

1,442

1,496

1,365

Number of fatalities

1,409

810

609

1,373

719

632

1,353

696

643

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

SOURCE: US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, 2004.

1,374

815

557 551 565 591547 582 579

520

585 571 553

505 531

596

 Fatal highway incidents were up slightly in 2004 after declining the two previous 

years. The 1,374 fatal highway incidents recorded in 2004 represented about one out of 

every four fatal work injuries in 2004. Although nonhighway incidents (such as those 

that might occur on a farm or industrial premises) dropped slightly in 2004, other kinds of 

transportation incidents increased, led by incidents involving workers struck by vehicles 

or mobile equipment. 

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

12 percent in 2004 (from 531 in 2003 to 596 in 2004), led by increases in the number of 

workers who were fatally injured after contact with falling, rolling, or sliding objects. 

The number of electrocutions also rose slightly, though the overall category of exposure 

to harmful substances and environments was lower due to declines in the numbers of 
3

fatalities resulting from contact with temperature extremes, exposure to caustic, noxious, 

or allergenic substances, and oxygen deficiency. 

 The number of workplace homicides recorded in 2004 was down sharply from the 

number reported in 2003. The 551 workplace homicides in 2004 represented a 13 

percent decline from 2003 and was the lowest annual total yet recorded by the fatality 

census. Overall, workplace homicides are down 49 percent from the high of 1,080 

workplace homicides recorded in 1994 (excluding the 2,886 work-related homicides 

resulting from terrorist attacks of September 11). 

Profile of fatal work injuries by industry 

 Overall, 91 percent of the fatal work injuries involved workers in private industry. 

Service-providing industries in the private sector recorded 47 percent of all fatal work 

injuries in 2004, while goods-producing industries recorded 44 percent. Another 9 

percent of the fatal work injury cases in 2004 involved federal, state, or local government 

workers. The number of fatal work injuries in the private sector increased by 3 percent in 

2004, while fatalities among government workers were down slightly. 

Manufacturing

Other services (exc. public admin.)

Professional and business services

Utilities

Wholesale trade

Leisure and hospitality

Government

Construction

Mining

Agriculture, forestry, 

fishing, and hunting

Transportation and warehousing

Retail trade

Information

Educational and health services

Number and rate of fatal occupational injuries by industry sector1, 2004

1,250 750 250 0 10 20 30 40

157

372

204

448

245

459

526

659

829

1,224

54

203

152

115

51

11.9

17.8

30.1

2.5

2.8

3.2

2.3

2.1

3.0

4.4

0.8

28.3

1.2

6.1

1.6

Financial activities

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

Rate = (Fatal work injuries/Employment) x 100,000. Employment data based on the 2004 Current Population Survey (CPS) and Department of Defense (DOD) 

figures.

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

Defense, 2004.

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

1,500 1,000 500

Total fatalities = 5,703

All worker fatality rate = 4.1
4

 The construction industry sector recorded 1,224 fatal work injuries, the most of any 

industry sector, an increase of 8 percent over the number reported in 2003. The increase 

was led by a jump in fatalities among specialty trade contractors from 629 in 2003 to 752 

in 2004. 

 The transportation and warehousing sector recorded 829 fatal work injuries, the 

second highest total among industry sectors. As in 2003, the majority of fatal injuries in 

this sector occurred in truck transportation (508 fatalities). Sharp increases in water 

transportation fatalities and in industries involved in support activities for transportation 

contributed to an overall increase of 3 percent in this sector in 2004. 

 The number of fatal work injuries in the manufacturing sector rose 9 percent from 

420 in 2003 to 459 in 2004. Retail trade and wholesale trade also recorded higher 

numbers of fatalities. 

 Fatal work injuries in agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting were down 7 percent 

in 2004. 

Profile of fatal work injuries by occupation 

 Fatal work injuries were higher in transportation and material moving occupations 

(up 7 percent) and construction and extraction occupations (up 9 percent). These two 

occupational groups combined accounted for nearly half (46 percent) of all the fatal work 

injuries in 2004. 

 Transportation and material moving occupations accounted for the largest number of 

fatal work injuries of any major occupational group (1,490 fatalities, up from 1,393 in 

2003). The fatality rate for this occupational group rose from 16.7 fatalities per 100,000 

in 2003 to 17.5 in 2004. Motor vehicle operators recorded two thirds of the fatal work 

injuries in this occupational group (1,005 fatal work injuries, up 5 percent from 2003). 

Material moving occupations, such as forklift operators and refuse collectors, recorded 

the second highest total in this group (271 fatalities). Fatal work injuries among material 

moving occupations were up 8 percent in 2004. 

 Construction and extraction occupations accounted for the second highest number of 

fatal work injuries among major occupational groups in 2004 (1,129 fatalities, up from 

1,038 in 2003). Fatal work injuries among construction trade workers rose from 788 in 

2003 to 870 in 2004 and accounted for most of the increase for this occupational group. 

The 94 fatal work injuries involving roofers was a sharp increase from the 55 fatal work 

injuries recorded in 2003 and accounted for nearly half of the increase among 

construction trade workers. 
5

 Among the individual occupations with high rates of fatal injury were logging 

workers (92.4 per 100,000 workers), aircraft pilots and flight engineers (92.4 per 

100,000), fishers and related fishing workers (86.4 per 100,000), and structural iron and 

steel workers (47.0 per 100,000). 

100 0 400 800

67

905

36

94

307

35

31

109

85

Selected occupations with high fatality rates, 2004

92.4

92.4

47.0

43.2

37.5

34.9

30.0

27.6

24.2

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

Roofers

Taxi drivers and 

chauffeurs

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

Rate = (Fatal work injuries/Employment) x 100,000. Employment data based on the 2004 Current Population Survey (CPS) and Department 

of Defense (DOD) figures. 

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

Department of Defense, 2004.

86.4 38

150 50 200 600

Total fatalities = 5,703

All worker fatality rate = 4.1

1,000

Profile of fatal work injuries by demographic characteristics 

 The number of fatal work injuries involving Hispanic or Latino workers was sharply 

higher in 2004 after declining for the two previous years. The number of fatally injured 

Hispanic or Latino workers rose from 794 in 2003 to 883 in 2004, an increase of 11 

percent. The rate of fatal work injuries among Hispanic or Latino workers rose from 4.5 

per 100,000 workers in 2003 to 4.9 per 100,000 in 2004. Although homicides to 

Hispanic or Latino workers were down 27 percent from 2003, increases in the number of 

fatal work injuries resulting from falls (up 27 percent), transportation incidents (up 27 

percent), and contact with objects or equipment (up 14 percent) led to the higher number 

of fatal work injuries among this population. Fatal work injuries among workers of 

Asian, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander descent rose from 158 in 2003 to 177 in 

2004, an increase of 12 percent. The increase was due in part to two multiple-fatality 

incidents which took the lives of 24 Asian workers. 

 Fatal work injuries among older workers (55 years of age and older) rose by 10 

percent in 2004. The fatality rate for older workers increased from 6.2 fatal work injuries 
6

per 100,000 in 2003 to 6.6 per 100,000 in 2004. For younger workers (16 to 24 years of 

age), the number of fatal injuries was down by 6 percent. Fatal work injuries among 

workers 15 years of age and younger fell by half, from 25 in 2003 to 12 in 2004. 

Fatalities among male workers rose in 2004, but fatalities among female workers were 

down 8 percent from 2003 levels. 

 Fatalities among self-employed workers remained about the same in 2004 and 

accounted for about one of every five fatal work injuries in 2004. The number of fatal 

work injuries among wage and salary workers was higher by 3 percent (from 4,405 in 

2003 to 4,537 in 2004). The rate of fatal injury among wage and salary workers edged up 

from 3.4 per 100,000 workers in 2003 to 3.5 per 100,000 in 2004. 

Profile of fatal work injuries by State 

 Twenty-seven States reported higher numbers of fatal work injuries in 2004 than in 

2003, 22 States and the District of Columbia reported lower numbers, and one State was 

unchanged. Of those States reporting 25 or more fatal work injuries in 2004, six States 

reported increases of at least 20 percent (Alaska, Connecticut, Florida, Louisiana, New 

Jersey, and New Mexico), while two States reported declines of 20 percent (Arkansas 

and Oregon). 

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

the collection of CFOI data in that State. Participating State agencies and their telephone 

numbers are listed in table 6. 

Background of the program 

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

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

in each calendar year. The program uses diverse state and federal data sources to 

identify, verify, and profile fatal work injuries. Information about each workplace 

fatality (industry, occupation, and other worker characteristics; equipment being used; 

and circumstances of the event) is obtained by cross-referencing source documents, such 

as death certificates, workers’ compensation records, and reports to federal and state 

agencies. This method assures counts are as complete and accurate as possible. For the 

2004 data, over 20,000 unique source documents were reviewed as part of the data 

collection process. 

 This is the 13th year that the fatality census has been conducted in all 50 states and 

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

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

participating state agencies listed in table 6. 

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

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

characteristics of nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses that result in lost work time. 
7

Copies of the news releases on nonfatal injuries and illnesses in 2003 are available from 

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

for 2004 by industry will be published in November 2005, and information on 2004 

worker and case characteristics will be available December 2005. For additional data, 

access the BLS Internet site: http://www.bls.gov/iif/. 

 To request a copy of BLS Report 988, which highlights 2003 fatality results and 

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

to U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2 Massachusetts Avenue, N.E., 

Room 3180, Washington, DC 20212. 
Table 1. Fatal occupational injuries by event or exposure, 1999-2004

Event or exposure1

Fatalities

1999-2003

average

20032 2004

Number Number Percent

Total ................................................................................................. 5,800 5,575 5,703 100

Transportation incidents .................................................................. 2,493 2,364 2,460 43

Highway ........................................................................................... 1,399 1,353 1,374 24

Collision between vehicles, mobile equipment ............................ 684 648 687 12

Moving in same direction ......................................................... 139 135 145 3

Moving in opposite directions, oncoming ................................. 248 269 270 5

Moving in intersection .............................................................. 145 124 144 3

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

Vehicle struck stationary object, equipment on side of road ....... 289 327 314 6

Noncollision ................................................................................. 356 321 316 6

Jack-knifed or overturned-no collision ..................................... 293 252 257 5

Nonhighway (farm, industrial premises) .......................................... 349 347 335 6

Overturned ............................................................................... 185 186 181 3

Worker struck by a vehicle .............................................................. 365 337 377 7

Rail vehicle ...................................................................................... 59 43 50 1

Water vehicle ................................................................................... 83 69 90 2

Aircraft ............................................................................................. 232 211 230 4

Assaults and violent acts ................................................................. 898 902 795 14

Homicides ........................................................................................ 642 632 551 10

Shooting ...................................................................................... 501 487 416 7

Stabbing ...................................................................................... 60 58 66 1

Self-inflicted injuries ......................................................................... 217 218 200 4

Contact with objects and equipment ............................................... 957 913 1,004 18

Struck by object ............................................................................... 549 531 596 10

Struck by falling object ................................................................. 337 324 370 6

Struck by flying object .................................................................. 54 57 42 1

Caught in or compressed by equipment or objects ......................... 266 238 270 5

Caught in running equipment or machinery ................................. 139 123 142 2

Caught in or crushed in collapsing materials ................................... 123 126 117 2

Falls .................................................................................................... 736 696 815 14

Fall to lower level ............................................................................. 647 604 732 13

Fall from ladder ............................................................................ 114 114 133 2

Fall from roof ............................................................................... 147 128 178 3

Fall from scaffold, staging ............................................................ 88 85 89 2

Fall on same level ............................................................................ 69 71 61 1

Exposure to harmful substances or environments ........................ 508 486 459 8

Contact with electric current ............................................................ 271 246 253 4

Contact with overhead power lines .............................................. 121 107 123 2

Contact with temperature extremes ................................................. 43 42 27 3( )

Exposure to caustic, noxious, or allergenic substances .................. 105 122 114 2

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

Oxygen deficiency ........................................................................... 86 73 63 1

Drowning, submersion ................................................................. 64 52 49 1

Fires and explosions ......................................................................... 189 198 159 3

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

exposures, such as bodily reaction, in addition to those shown separately. 2 The BLS news release issued September 22, 2004, reported a total of 5,559 fatal work injuries for calendar year

2003. Since then, an additional 16 job-related fatalities were identified, bringing the total job-related fatality count for

2003 to 5,575. 3 Less than or equal to 0.5 percent.

NOTE: Totals for 2004 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
Table 2. Fatal occupational injuries by industry and selected event or exposure, 2004

Industry1

Fatalities Selected event or exposure2

(percent of total for industry)

Number Percent Highway3 Homicides Falls Struck by

object

Total ............................................................................................. 5,703 100 24 10 14 10

Private industry ............................................................................... 5,177 91 23 9 15 11

Goods producing ........................................................................... 2,494 44 14 2 21 15

Natural resources and mining .................................................... 811 14 16 1 5 20

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting ..................................... 659 12 15 1 5 21

Crop production ....................................................................... 317 6 15 1 4 17

Animal production .................................................................... 141 2 15 – 11 10

Forestry and logging ................................................................ 106 2 17 – 3 60

Fishing, hunting and trapping .................................................. 37 1 ––––

Agriculture and forestry support activities ................................ 45 1 16 – – 11

Mining4 ........................................................................................ 152 3 24 – 9 16

Oil and gas extraction .............................................................. 29 1 34 – – 21

Mining, except oil and gas ....................................................... 51 1 10 – 10 14

Support activities for mining .................................................... 71 1 30 – 10 15

Construction ................................................................................ 1,224 21 12 2 36 12

Construction ................................................................................ 1,224 21 12 2 36 12

Construction of buildings ......................................................... 224 4 11 2 46 13

Heavy and civil engineering construction ................................ 219 4 17 – 8 21

Specialty trade contractors ...................................................... 752 13 10 2 42 9

Manufacturing .............................................................................. 459 8 17 3 10 14

Manufacturing .............................................................................. 459 8 17 3 10 14

Food manufacturing ................................................................. 65 1 22 12 11 –

Wood product manufacturing .................................................. 49 1 8 – 8 14

Paper manufacturing ............................................................... 19 5() – – – –

Chemical manufacturing .......................................................... 31 1 13 – – –

Plastics and rubber products manufacturing ........................... 25 5( ) – – – 12

Nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing ............................ 54 1 35 – 9 9

Primary metal manufacturing ................................................... 28 5( ) – – 14 32

Fabricated metal product manufacturing ................................. 57 1 14 5 11 25

Machinery manufacturing ........................................................ 25 5( ) 24 – 12 28

Transportation equipment manufacturing ................................ 33 1 12 – 15 21

Service providing .......................................................................... 2,683 47 32 16 9 7

Trade, transportation, and utilities ............................................ 1,455 26 41 15 6 7

Wholesale trade ........................................................................... 203 4 42 5 6 9

Merchant wholesalers, durable goods ..................................... 99 2 29 6 6 16

Merchant wholesalers, nondurable goods ............................... 95 2 54 4 6 –

Retail trade .................................................................................. 372 7 19 43 10 4

Motor vehicle and parts dealers .............................................. 75 1 40 20 5 8

Building material and garden supply stores ............................. 39 1 26 – 15 –

Food and beverage stores ....................................................... 83 1 5 69 7 –

Health and personal care stores .............................................. 17 5( ) 24 47 18 –

Gasoline stations ..................................................................... 44 1 7 84 – –

Sporting goods, hobby, book and music stores ....................... 15 5( ) – 53 – –

General merchandise stores ................................................... 26 5( ) – 19 46 –

Miscellaneous store retailers ................................................... 28 5( ) 25 43 – –

Nonstore retailers .................................................................... 15 5( ) 47 – – –

Transportation and warehousing ................................................. 829 15 52 6 4 7

Air transportation ..................................................................... 47 1 ––––

Rail transportation ................................................................... 19 5() – – – –

Water transportation ................................................................ 43 1 ––––

Truck transportation ................................................................. 508 9 72 1 3 9

Transit and ground passenger transportation .......................... 75 1 37 49 – –

Support activities for transportation ......................................... 80 1 10 6 6 18

Couriers and messengers ....................................................... 25 5( ) 76 – – –

Warehousing and storage ....................................................... 21 5( ) – – 38 –

Utilities ......................................................................................... 51 1 16 – 18 8

Information ................................................................................... 54 1 48 9 6 –

Information ................................................................................... 54 1 48 9 6 –

Publishing industries, except Internet ...................................... 33 1 64 9 – –

Financial activities ....................................................................... 115 2 25 31 13 3

Finance and insurance ................................................................ 46 1 33 39 9 –

Credit intermediation and related activities .............................. 26 5( ) 27 50 – –

Real estate and rental and leasing .............................................. 69 1 20 26 16 6

Real estate .............................................................................. 45 1 11 33 22 –

Rental and leasing services ..................................................... 24 5( ) 38 12 – –

See footnotes at end of table.
Table 2. Fatal occupational injuries by industry and selected event or exposure, 2004 — Continued

Industry1

Fatalities Selected event or exposure2

(percent of total for industry)

Number Percent Highway3 Homicides Falls Struck by

object

Professional and business services .......................................... 448 8 23 7 17 11

Professional and technical services ............................................ 76 1 30 4 11 –

Professional and technical services ........................................ 76 1 30 4 11 –

Administrative and waste services .............................................. 370 6 22 7 18 13

Administrative and support services ........................................ 292 5 17 9 22 13

Waste management and remediation services ....................... 78 1 40 – 5 12

Educational and health services ................................................ 157 3 25 15 9 –

Educational services .................................................................... 44 1 11 9 11 –

Educational services ................................................................ 44 1 11 9 11 –

Health care and social assistance ............................................... 113 2 31 17 8 –

Ambulatory health care services ............................................. 53 1 26 15 – –

Hospitals .................................................................................. 29 1 31 – 10 –

Nursing and residential care facilities ...................................... 16 5( ) 38 19 19 –

Leisure and hospitality ............................................................... 245 4 13 36 9 4

Arts, entertainment, and recreation ............................................. 99 2 11 11 11 6

Performing arts and spectator sports ...................................... 50 1 14 10 10 6

Amusements, gambling, and recreation ................................. 45 1 9 13 9 7

Accommodation and food services .............................................. 146 3 14 52 8 3

Accommodation ....................................................................... 29 1 14 34 17 –

Food services and drinking places .......................................... 117 2 14 56 6 3

Other services, except public administration ........................... 204 4 10 19 11 14

Other services, except public administration ............................... 204 4 10 19 11 14

Repair and maintenance ......................................................... 114 2 5 15 6 24

Personal and laundry services ................................................ 37 1 14 46 11 –

Membership associations and organizations ........................... 43 1 21 12 23 –

Government6 ................................................................................... 526 9 31 13 7 5

Federal government ........................................................................ 111 2 30 – 7 6

Public administration ................................................................... 84 1 25 – 5 5

National security and international affairs ................................ 70 1 21 – 6 4

State government ............................................................................ 100 2 31 9 6 7

Public administration ................................................................... 38 1 37 13 – –

Justice, public order, and safety activities ............................... 21 5( ) 43 19 – –

Local government ............................................................................ 310 5 33 19 7 5

Public administration ................................................................... 195 3 37 27 4 4

Justice, public order, and safety activities ............................... 164 3 38 30 3 2

1 Based on the North American Industry Classification System, 2002. 2 The figure shown is the percent of the total fatalities for that industry group. 3 "Highway" includes deaths to vehicle occupants resulting from traffic incidents that occur on the public roadway, shoulder, or surrounding

area. It excludes incidents occurring entirely off the roadway, such as in parking lots and on farms; incidents involving trains; and deaths to

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

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

Extraction.

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

NOTE: Totals for 2004 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 5 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
Table 3. Fatal occupational injuries by occupation and selected event or exposure, 2004

Occupation1

Fatalities Selected event or exposure2

(percent of total for occupation)

Number Percent Highway3 Homicides Falls Struck by

object

Total ................................................................................................. 5,703 100 24 10 14 10

Management occupations ................................................................ 629 11 17 9 10 12

Top executives ................................................................................ 27 4( ) 30 – 11 –

Advertising, marketing, promotions, public relations, and sales

managers ....................................................................................... 19 4( ) 47 16 – –

Operations specialties managers .................................................... 43 1 30 23 16 –

Other management occupations ..................................................... 540 9 14 8 10 14

Business and financial operations occupations ............................ 27 4( ) 48 15 – –

Business operations specialists ....................................................... 18 4( ) 61 17 – –

Financial specialists ......................................................................... 9 4() – – – –

Computer and mathematical occupations ...................................... 7 4( ) 57 – – –

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

Architecture and engineering occupations .................................... 68 1 28 – 7 –

Architects, surveyors, and cartographers ........................................ 6 4() – – – –

Engineers ........................................................................................ 36 1 31 – – –

Drafters, engineering, and mapping technicians ............................. 26 4( ) 23 – 12 –

Life, physical, and social science occupations .............................. 25 4( ) 32 – – –

Life scientists ................................................................................... 11 4( ) 27 – – –

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

Life, physical, and social science technicians ................................. 8 4( ) 38 – – –

Community and social services occupations ................................. 44 1 36 25 14 –

Counselors, social workers, and other community and social

service specialists .......................................................................... 21 4( ) 52 33 – –

Religious workers ............................................................................ 23 4( ) 22 17 22 –

Legal occupations ............................................................................. 3 4() – – – –

Lawyers, judges, and related workers ............................................. 3 4() – – – –

Education, training, and library occupations ................................. 27 4( ) 30 – 19 –

Postsecondary teachers .................................................................. 7 4() – – – –

Primary, secondary, and special education school teachers ........... 12 4( ) 42 – – –

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

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

Arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media occupations ....... 51 1 20 16 14 6

Art and design workers .................................................................... 8 4() – – – –

Entertainers and performers, sports and related workers ............... 32 1 16 12 19 9

Media and communication equipment workers ............................... 9 4( ) – 33 – –

Healthcare practitioners and technical occupations ..................... 72 1 26 12 7 –

Health diagnosing and treating practitioners ................................... 40 1 30 12 8 –

Health technologists and technicians .............................................. 31 1 23 13 – –

Healthcare support occupations ...................................................... 11 4( ) – 27 – –

Nursing, psychiatric, and home health aides ................................... 8 4() – – – –

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

Protective service occupations ........................................................ 271 5 31 31 4 3

First-line supervisors managers, protective service workers ........... 24 4( ) 50 21 – –

Fire fighting and prevention workers ............................................... 30 1 37 – – –

Law enforcement workers ............................................................... 136 2 41 33 3 –

Other protective service workers ..................................................... 81 1 6 38 7 4

Food preparation and serving related occupations ....................... 52 1 – 65 10 –

Supervisors, food preparation and serving workers ........................ 10 4( ) – 90 – –

Cooks and food preparation workers ............................................... 10 4( ) – 40 – –

Food and beverage serving workers ............................................... 27 4( ) – 63 15 –

Other food preparation and serving related workers ....................... 5 4( ) – 80 – –

Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations ... 277 5 13 6 25 15

Supervisors, building and grounds cleaning and maintenance

workers .......................................................................................... 43 1 19 – 19 30

Building cleaning and pest control workers ..................................... 66 1 11 18 27 5

Grounds maintenance workers ........................................................ 168 3 12 – 25 15

Personal care and service occupations .......................................... 55 1 15 25 – –

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

Animal care and service workers ..................................................... 11 4() – – – –

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

Personal appearance workers ......................................................... 7 4( ) – 86 – –

Transportation, tourism, and lodging attendants ............................. 7 4() – – – –

Other personal care and service workers ........................................ 16 4( ) 25 19 – –

Sales and related occupations ......................................................... 352 6 21 47 8 2

Supervisors, sales workers .............................................................. 156 3 6 58 10 4

Retail sales workers ........................................................................ 101 2 10 63 8 –

See footnotes at end of table.
Table 3. Fatal occupational injuries by occupation and selected event or exposure, 2004 — Continued

Occupation1

Fatalities Selected event or exposure2

(percent of total for occupation)

Number Percent Highway3 Homicides Falls Struck by

object

Sales representatives, services ....................................................... 21 4( ) 57 – – –

Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing ..................... 34 1 74 – – –

Other sales and related workers ...................................................... 40 1 45 20 – –

Office and administrative support occupations ............................. 91 2 40 21 9 4

Supervisors, office and administrative support workers .................. 4 4( ) – 75 – –

Financial clerks ................................................................................ 8 4( ) – 50 – –

Information and record clerks .......................................................... 9 4( ) 33 44 – –

Material recording, scheduling, dispatching, and distributing

workers .......................................................................................... 50 1 52 6 10 6

Secretaries and administrative assistants ....................................... 6 4( ) – 67 – –

Other office and administrative support workers ............................. 14 4( ) 29 – – –

Farming, fishing, and forestry occupations .................................... 281 5 17 1 4 26

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

Agricultural workers ......................................................................... 143 3 22 2 6 8

Fishing and hunting workers ............................................................ 38 1 ––––

Forest, conservation, and logging workers ...................................... 89 2 13 – – 66

Construction and extraction occupations ...................................... 1,129 20 10 2 36 12

Supervisors, construction and extraction workers ........................... 116 2 17 – 28 12

Construction trades workers ............................................................ 870 15 8 2 41 11

Helpers, construction trades ............................................................ 21 4( ) – – 19 –

Other construction and related workers ........................................... 45 1 13 – 18 –

Extraction workers ........................................................................... 77 1 13 – 12 22

Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations ........................ 382 7 10 5 18 17

Supervisors of installation, maintenance, and repair workers ......... 43 1 7 14 19 21

Electrical and electronic equipment mechanics, installers, and

repairers ........................................................................................ 13 4( ) – – 23 –

Vehicle and mobile equipment mechanics, installers, and

repairers ........................................................................................ 120 2 9 8 5 31

Other installation, maintenance, and repair occupations ................. 206 4 12 – 25 9

Production occupations ................................................................... 288 5 7 5 11 15

Supervisors, production workers ..................................................... 37 1 11 8 11 14

Assemblers and fabricators ............................................................. 19 4( ) – – 21 21

Food processing workers ................................................................ 13 4() – – – –

Metal workers and plastic workers .................................................. 84 1 5 4 11 26

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

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

Woodworkers ................................................................................... 15 4( ) – – – 27

Plant and system operators ............................................................. 14 4() – – – –

Other production occupations .......................................................... 95 2 8 4 12 9

Transportation and material moving occupations ......................... 1,490 26 47 5 5 9

Supervisors, transportation and material moving workers ............... 24 4( ) 17 – 12 –

Air transportation workers ................................................................ 109 2 ––––

Motor vehicle operators ................................................................... 1,005 18 65 6 4 8

Rail transportation workers .............................................................. 21 4() – – – –

Water transportation workers .......................................................... 45 1 ––––

Other transportation workers ........................................................... 15 4( ) – 33 – –

Material moving workers .................................................................. 271 5 11 3 11 17

Military occupations .......................................................................... 64 1 19 – – 5

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 2004 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 7 fatalities for which there was insufficient information to determine a specific occupation classification. 

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

agencies, Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries
Table 4. Fatal occupational injuries by selected worker characteristics and selected event or exposure, 2004

Characteristic

Fatalities Selected event or exposure1

(percent of total for characteristic category)

Number Percent Highway2 Homicides Falls Struck by

object

Total ..................................................................................................... 5,703 100 24 10 14 10

Employee status

Wage and salary3 ................................................................................ 4,537 80 27 8 14 10

Self-employed4 .................................................................................... 1,166 20 14 14 14 13

Sex

Men ...................................................................................................... 5,292 93 24 9 15 11

Women ................................................................................................ 411 7 30 24 9 2

Age5

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

16-17 years .......................................................................................... 25 6( ) 28 – – –

18-19 years .......................................................................................... 102 2 24 8 13 8

20-24 years .......................................................................................... 415 7 23 10 11 10

25-34 years .......................................................................................... 988 17 25 12 10 10

35-44 years .......................................................................................... 1,325 23 25 10 14 10

45-54 years .......................................................................................... 1,370 24 24 9 14 11

55-64 years .......................................................................................... 899 16 25 9 18 10

65 years and older ............................................................................... 563 10 18 8 21 15

Race or ethnic origin7

White ................................................................................................... 4,030 71 25 7 14 11

Black or African-American ................................................................... 542 10 26 22 12 8

Hispanic or Latino ................................................................................ 883 15 21 9 19 13

American Indian or Alaska Native ....................................................... 26 6( ) 31 – 19 12

Asian .................................................................................................... 165 3 12 36 6 3

Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander ..................................................... 12 6( ) – 33 – –

Multiple races ...................................................................................... 4 6() – – – –

Other or not reported ........................................................................... 41 1 17 15 22 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 4 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 2004 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
Table 5. Fatal occupational injuries by state and event or exposure, 2003-2004

State of injury

Total fatalities1 Event or exposure4

2004

20032

(revised) 20043 Transportation

incidents5

Assaults

and violent

acts6

Contact

with

objects

and

equipment

Falls

Exposure

to harmful

substances or

environments

Fires and

explosions

Total .............................................................................. 5,575 5,703 2,460 795 1,004 815 459 159

Alabama ............................................................................ 124 133 51 18 29 16 15 3

Alaska ............................................................................... 28 40 29 – – – 3 –

Arizona .............................................................................. 80 84 42 13 9 11 8 –

Arkansas ........................................................................... 87 70 31 4 13 10 5 6

California ........................................................................... 459 416 168 52 80 67 36 12

Colorado ........................................................................... 102 117 60 25 16 9 5 –

Connecticut ....................................................................... 36 54 17 12 6 16 – –

Delaware ........................................................................... 9 10 5 4 ––––

District of Columbia ........................................................... 19 11 – – – 4 – –

Florida ............................................................................... 347 422 198 58 44 75 35 12

Georgia ............................................................................. 199 231 96 24 32 50 25 3

Hawaii ............................................................................... 21 25 14 7 ––––

Idaho ................................................................................. 43 38 25 – 8 – – –

Illinois ................................................................................ 200 208 83 41 33 29 14 8

Indiana .............................................................................. 132 153 72 25 25 22 8 –

Iowa .................................................................................. 76 82 33 5 26 14 – –

Kansas .............................................................................. 78 80 36 10 12 10 9 3

Kentucky ........................................................................... 145 143 79 13 30 11 6 –

Louisiana ........................................................................... 95 121 56 22 22 11 9 –

Maine ................................................................................ 23 16 10 –––––

Maryland ........................................................................... 92 81 34 10 18 11 7 –

Massachusetts .................................................................. 78 70 25 8 15 13 6 –

Michigan ............................................................................ 152 126 45 27 24 14 13 3

Minnesota ......................................................................... 72 80 29 11 18 11 6 5

Mississippi ......................................................................... 102 88 39 12 14 12 6 5

Missouri ............................................................................. 154 165 82 18 36 10 16 3

Montana ............................................................................ 39 39 26 4 – 4 3 –

Nebraska ........................................................................... 51 46 21 4 3 9 7 –

Nevada .............................................................................. 52 61 30 4 10 14 – –

New Hampshire ................................................................ 19 15 7 – – 3 – –

New Jersey ....................................................................... 104 129 37 20 23 33 10 6

New Mexico ...................................................................... 46 57 37 8 7 – 3 –

New York (including N.Y.C.) ............................................. 227 254 71 68 32 49 28 6

New York City ............................................................... 94 107 17 44 13 24 9 –

North Carolina ................................................................... 182 183 78 23 43 22 15 –

North Dakota ..................................................................... 26 24 6 – 13 – – –

Ohio .................................................................................. 206 202 78 39 33 24 18 10

Oklahoma .......................................................................... 100 91 44 11 13 10 10 –

Oregon .............................................................................. 75 60 31 – 17 7 3 –

Pennsylvania ..................................................................... 208 230 87 32 50 34 16 11

Rhode Island ..................................................................... 18 7 – 3 ––––

South Carolina .................................................................. 115 110 50 12 22 8 13 –

South Dakota .................................................................... 28 24 12 – 3 4 – –

Tennessee ........................................................................ 137 144 43 21 37 27 8 8

Texas ................................................................................ 491 440 194 54 77 61 35 18

Utah .................................................................................. 54 50 30 6 7 6 – –

Vermont ............................................................................ 14 7 4 –––––

Virginia .............................................................................. 155 171 84 17 22 27 18 3

Washington ....................................................................... 83 98 35 14 26 15 7 –

West Virginia ..................................................................... 51 58 34 3 14 – 4 –

Wisconsin .......................................................................... 103 94 33 21 21 14 4 –

Wyoming ........................................................................... 37 43 28 – 6 3 4 –

1 State totals include other events and exposures, such as bodily reaction, in addition to those shown separately. 2 The BLS news release issued September 22, 2004, reported a total of 5,559 fatal work injuries for calendar year 2003. Since then, an additional 16

job-related fatalities were identified, bringing the total job-related fatality count for 2003 to 5,575. 3 Includes 2 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 2004 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
15

Table 6. CFOI participating agencies and telephone numbers

State Agency Telephone number 

Alabama Department of Labor (334) 242-3460 

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

Arizona Industrial Commission of Arizona (602) 542-3739 

Arkansas Department of Labor (501) 682-4542 

California Department of Industrial Relations (415) 703-4757 

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

Connecticut Labor Department (860) 263-6933 

Delaware Department of Labor (302) 761-8221 

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

Florida Department of Financial Services (850) 413-1611 

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

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

Idaho Industrial Commission (208) 334-6090 

Illinois Department of Public Health (217) 557-5663 

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. 281 

Louisiana Department of Labor (225) 342-3126 

Maine Bureau of Labor Standards (207) 624-6454 

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

Massachusetts Department of Public Health (617) 624-5679 

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

Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (651) 284-5428 

Mississippi Department of Health (601) 576-7817 

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 Bureau of Vital Records (603) 271-4647 

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

New Mexico Occupational Health and Safety Bureau (505) 827-4230 ext. 116 

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

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

North Carolina Department of Labor (919) 733-0337 

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

Ohio Department of Health (614) 466-4183 

Oklahoma Department of Labor (405) 528-1500 

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

Pennsylvania Department of Health (717) 783-2548 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 Workers' Compensation Commission (512) 804-4638 

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

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

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

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

West Virginia Division of Labor (304) 558-7890 ext. 112 

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

Wyoming Department of Employment (307) 473-3819 
16

TECHNICAL NOTES 

Definitions 

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

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

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

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

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

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

 Data presented in this release include deaths occurring in 2004 that resulted from 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

as underlying or contributory causes of death. 

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

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

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

universe problematic. 

Measurement techniques and limitations 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

machinery or equipment involved. 

Identification and verification of work-related fatalities 

 In 2004, there were 153 cases included for which work relationship could not be 

independently verified; however, the information on the initiating source document for 

these cases was sufficient to determine that the incident was likely to be job-related. Data 

for these fatalities are included in the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries counts. An 
17

additional 29 fatalities submitted by states were not included because the source 

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

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

 States may identify additional fatal work injuries after data collection closeout for a 

reference year. In addition, other fatalities excluded from the published count because of 

insufficient information to determine work relationship may subsequently be verified as 

work related. States have up to one year to update their initial published state counts. 

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

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 less than 20 fatalities per 

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

22, 2004, reported a total of 5,559 fatal work injuries for 2003. Since then, an additional 

16 fatal work injuries were identified, bringing the total for 2003 to 5,575. Revised 

counts for 2004 will be available in May 2006. 

Federal/state agency coverage 

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

whether the decedent was working in a job covered by the Occupational Safety and 

Health Administration (OSHA) or other federal or state agencies or was outside the scope 

of regulatory coverage. Thus, any comparison between the BLS fatality census counts 

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

requirements and definitions being used by each agency. 

 Several federal and state agencies have jurisdiction over workplace safety and 

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

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

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

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

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

and various agencies within the Department of Transportation. 

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

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

workers, which accounted for about 20 percent of the fatalities; laborers on small farms, 

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

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

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

cover state and local government employees.) 

Acknowledgements 

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

their efforts in collecting accurate, comprehensive, and useful data on fatal work injuries. 
18

BLS also appreciates the efforts of all federal, state, local, and private sector agencies that 

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

are the Occupational Safety and Health Administration; the National Transportation 

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

Employment Standards Administration (Federal Employees' Compensation and 

Longshore and Harbor Workers' divisions); the Department of Energy; state vital 

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

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

and state farm bureaus.