January 5, 2007—Statistics recently released by the Association of Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada show 1,097 workplace fatalities in Canada in 2005, up from 758 in 1993. Since Canadians work an average of 230 days per year, this translates to nearly five work-related deaths per work day, says the study.
According to the study, the most dangerous industry in which to work is fishing and trapping, followed by mining, quarrying, and oil wells; logging and forestry; and construction.
Trades, transport, and equipment operators and related occupations had the highest fatality rate, followed by occupations unique to primary occupations, and occupations unique to processing, manufacturing, and utilities. The study also found that men are much more likely to die on the job than women, and that older workers are much more likely to experience a workplace-related fatality than younger workers.
The study concluded that the number and rate of workplace fatalities in Canada, even from accidents, is unacceptably high, and that insufficient progress is being made in reducing the number and rate of workplace fatalities.
For the full report, Five Deaths a Day: Workplace Fatalities in Canada, 1993-2005 (.pdf file), visit online.
