BLS preliminary data shows decline in workplace deaths in 2013

Washington – The number and rate of workers killed on the job in 2013 declined from 2012, according to preliminary data released Sept. 11 by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

A preliminary total of 4,405 fatal work injuries occurred in 2013, resulting in a rate of 3.2 deaths per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers. In 2012, the final fatal work injury count and rate were 4,628 and 3.4, respectively.

The 2013 figures likely will be revised upward in final data that BLS said it intends to release next spring. Over the past five years, BLS has seen an average of 165 cases added to the preliminary count.

Among the preliminary data for 2013:

• The 3,929 fatal work injuries that occurred in private industry is the lowest total since BLS began collecting this data more than 20 years ago.
• Fatal work injuries among Hispanic or Latino workers increased 7 percent between 2012 and 2013.
• Transportation-related incidents accounted for 40 percent of all fatal work injuries but declined in 2013.
• One out of six fatal work injuries was the result of violence – including suicide and homicide.