Workplace Deaths Drop 25 Percent in Missouri
A preliminary total of 107 workers were killed in Missouri in 2010, down from the 142 fatalities reported in 2009.
Workplace deaths in Missouri decreased in 2010, with a preliminary total of 107 workers killed due to job-related trauma, according to a report released recently by the Missouri Department of Labor.
The 107 recorded deaths in 2010 are a 25 percent decline from the 142 fatalities reported in 2009.
“The Department has been working hard to promote the free workplace safety programs we offer to employers that save lives,” said Department Director Larry Rebman. “Since this administration came into office, participation in the state’s elite safety program has increased by 56 percent. This drop in fatalities shows that workplaces are embracing safety and doing more to protect workers.”
The agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting sector had 25 fatalities, with crop production accounting for 23 of the 25 deaths. The construction sector had the second highest number occupational fatalities with 12. Specialty trade contractors accounted for eight of the 12 fatalities in construction.
Transportation incidents, which include highway, non-highway, air, water, rail fatalities, and fatalities resulting from being struck by a vehicle, were the leading event or exposure of fatal work injuries in Missouri in 2009 and again in 2010 accounting for 60 of the 107 fatalities. The agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting sector accounted for 18 of the 60 transportation fatalities, followed by the construction sector with seven transportation incidents.
More findings include:
- men were the victims in 100 of the 107 fatal work injuries;
- white, non-Hispanic workers accounted for 96 fatalities;
- workers between the ages of 45 to 54 years had the most fatalities, accounting for 25 of the 107 fatal work injuries;
- workers between the ages of 35 to 44 years accounted for 23 deaths; and
- wage and salary workers had the most fatalities with 71.
The data was collected by the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations Research and Analysis Section in cooperation with the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and U.S. Department of Labor, and analyzed by the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI).
Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries data for Missouri can be found at www.labor.mo.gov/Lmi/Oii.asp.