Fatal Workplace Injuries Declined in 2023, According to Latest BLS Data
Fatal workplace injuries in the U.S. decreased in 2023, with transportation incidents remaining the top cause of death.
- By Robert Yaniz Jr.
- Dec 24, 2024
The number of fatal occupational injuries in the United States fell to 5,283 in 2023, a 3.7 percent decrease from 2022, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
The 2023 Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries reports a drop in the fatal injury rate to 3.5 per 100,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) workers, down from 3.7. Transportation incidents remained the leading cause of workplace fatalities, accounting for 36.8 percent of all deaths. Roadway collisions and incidents involving objects led this group.
Fatalities linked to violent acts totaled 740, with homicides comprising 61.9 percent of those cases. Construction continued to be the most dangerous industry, with 1,075 fatalities, the highest total for the sector since 2011. Falls, slips and trips accounted for 39.2 percent of construction-related deaths, while 22.3 percent involved transportation incidents. Most fatal falls in construction occurred from heights between 6 and 30 feet.
Demographic data revealed disparities in workplace risks. Fatalities among Black or African American workers dropped by 10.2 percent from 2022, with transportation incidents as the leading cause. Similarly, Hispanic or Latino workers experienced a decline in their fatality rate, though foreign-born workers accounted for 67.1 percent.
Women made up 8.5 percent of all fatalities in 2023, with homicides disproportionately affecting them. The private health care and retail trade sectors saw the highest fatality counts among female workers. Older workers aged 55 to 64 continued to have the highest number of deaths, primarily due to transportation incidents and falls.
The transportation and warehousing sector saw an 11.7 percent decrease in fatalities, while the landscaping and groundskeeping occupations reported high fatality counts due to contact with trees, logs and limbs. Despite the overall decline in fatality rates, the BLS emphasized continued attention to transportation safety and industry-specific risks.
Details on the 2023 Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries are on the BLS website.
About the Author
Robert Yaniz Jr. is the Content Editor of Occupational Health & Safety.