4,405 workers were killed on the job in 2013, or 3.2 per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers. On average, 85 deaths a week or more than 12 deaths every day, which is the lowest total since the fatal injury census was first conducted in 1992.
797 Hispanic or Latino workers were killed from work-related injuries in 2013–on average, more than 15 deaths a week or two Latino workers killed every single day of the year throughout the year.
Fatal work injuries involving contractors accounted for 17% of all fatal work injuries in 2013.
Construction’s “Fatal Four”
Out of 3,929 worker fatalities in private industry in the calendar year 2013, 796 (or 20.3%) were in construction. That is, one in five worker deaths last year were in construction. The leading causes of worker deaths on construction sites were falls, followed by struck by object, electrocution, and caught-in-between.
These “Fatal Four” were responsible for more than half (58.7%) the construction worker deaths in 2013, the Bureau of Labor Statics reports. Eliminating the Fatal Four would save 468 workers’ lives in America every year.
- Falls — 294 out of 796 total deaths in construction in 2013 (36.9%)
- Struck by Object — 82 (10.3%)
- Electrocutions — 71 (8.9%)
- Caught-in-between — 21 (2.6%)
Top 10 Most Frequently Cited OSHA Standards Violated in FY2013
The following were the top 10 most frequently cited standards by Federal OSHA in the fiscal year 2013
- Fall protection, construction
- Hazard communication standard
- Scaffolding, general requirements, construction
- Respiratory protection, general industry
- Electrical, wiring methods, components and equipment, general industry
- Powered industrial trucks, general
- Ladders, construction
- Control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout), general industry
- Electrical systems design, general requirements, general industry
- Machinery and Machine Guarding, general requirements
OSHA is Making a Difference
In four decades, OSHA and our state partners, coupled with the efforts of employers, safety and health professionals have had a dramatic effect on workplace safety.
Since 1970, workplace fatalities have been reduced by more than 65% and occupational injury and illness rates have declined by 67%. At the same time, U.S. employment has almost doubled.
Worker deaths in America are down on average, from about 38 worker deaths per day in 1970 to 12 deaths per day in 2012. Worker injuries and illnesses are also down, from 10.9 incidents per 100 workers in 1972 to 3.4 per 100 in 2011.
We Can Help
The experienced attorneys at Charles G. Monnett III & Associates provide free initial consultations, support, and assistance in finding resources to help you and your family deal with serious injuries caused by the negligence of others. We can also help you pursue legal action.
