BLS Reports Fewer Fatalities in 2011

The BLS recorded a preliminary total of 4,609 U.S. fatal work injuries in 2011, down from the 4,690 work fatalities recorded in 2010, according to results from the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) program. The rate of fatal work injury for U.S. workers in 2011 was 3.5 per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers, as compared to a final rate of 3.6 per 100,000 for 2010. Other key preliminary findings of the 2011 CFOI include:

• Fatal work injuries in the private construction sector declined to 721 in 2011 from 774 in 2010. Fatal construction injuries are down nearly 42% since 2006.
• Work-related fatalities in the private mining industry (which includes oil and gas extraction) were down 10% in 2011 after an increase of 74% in 2010. 
• Fatal work injuries in private truck transportation rose 14% in 2011.
• Fatal work injuries increased among non-Hispanic black or African-American workers and among Hispanic or Latino workers in 2011, but declined among non-Hispanic white workers.
• Fatal work injuries involving workers over the age of 55, as well as workers under the age of 18, were both lower in 2011. Fatal work injuries among workers in the 20 to 24 age group were up nearly 18%.

Final 2011 data from the CFOI program will be released in Spring 2013.