August 21, 2006—The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries in 2005, released August 10, shows that the number of workplace fatalities in the US totaled 5,702 last year, down from 5,764 in 2004. The fatality rate also declined last year to 4.0 per 100,000 employees, down from 4.1 in 2004.
Fatal falls declined 7% last year from an all-time high recorded just a year earlier. Further, fatal work injuries among roofers dropped sharply, by 44%.
While the number of fatal work injuries in private construction continued to be the most of any industry sector, the number of fatalities was 4% lower in 2005 than 2004.
The number of fatalities among Hispanic employees edged up slightly last year due to increased employment of Hispanic workers, but the actual fatality rate declined, says BLS, and fatalities among women in 2005 (402) were the lowest annual total ever recorded by the census.
Fatal workplace injuries attributable to hurricanes accounted for 29 fatal work injuries in 2005, though BLS says this total may rise as additional cases are identified and verified.
