Fatal Florida Work Accidents Down in 2008; Construction Safety Improves Nationally
The U.S. Dept. of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that the national rates of fatal work injuries are down, including in Florida. Preliminary data released for The National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries showed that 5,071 work injury fatalities were reported in the United States in 2008 -- down from 5,657 work deaths reported in 2007.
Florida work related deaths declined from 363 in 2007 to 290 in 2008. Of those deaths,
107 were due to transportation accidents
56 were caused by assaults and violent acts
41 resulted from "contact with objects and equipment"
Fall accidents caused 39 deaths
Exposure to harmful substances or environments caused 38 workers to perish
6 workers died in fires or explosions
Nationally, construction accidents causing death declined by 20 percent, in the private construction sector, and fatal falls were down. However rates of workplace suicides rose by 28% (though workplace homicides decreased), and fatal workplace injuries in the forestry, farming, and fishing industries also saw an increase. The BLS will release the final statistics in April 2010.
The National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries in 2008 (PDF file)
U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Aug. 20, 2009
Related Web Resources
Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI): Current and Revised Data
Florida Safety Council: OSHA Training
Florida Atlantic University: Institute for Design and Construction: Safety Science
