The number of job-related homicides in 1999 was the lowest recorded since the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries was begun in 1992. A total of 645 workplace homicides were reported in 1999, down by 10 percent from 1998 and 40 percent from 1994, which had the highest number in the 8-year period, at 1,080 homicides. The sharpest decline was in the retail sector, where the homicide level was 51 percent lower than in 1994.
Robbery continued to be the primary motive where determinable from source documents, followed by violence committed by coworkers and clients or customers. The homicide level was highest among occupations involving cash transactions or where valuables are on hand, such as managers of lodging and food establishments, cashiers, taxicab drivers, and sales proprietors and supervisors.
For more information about the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, visit http://stats.bls.gov/oshcfoi1.htm.
Based on a report from Safety Currents
