BLS: Workplace death rate for 2013 lowest on record

Washington – The fatal occupational injury rate for 2013 maintains a nearly decade-long decline, according to final data released April 22 by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The rate of worker deaths per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers was 3.3 in 2013. Although this rate is up from the preliminary rate of 3.2 released in September, it falls below the 2012 final rate of 3.4 and is the lowest on record since BLS converted to hours-based rates in 2006.

The revised total count of worker fatalities in 2013 also declined from the previous year – to 4,585. This is a slight increase from the preliminary count issued in September but falls below the final 2012 count of 4,628, according to BLS.

Other data from the report:

• Deaths among Hispanic or Latino workers increased 9 percent between 2012 and 2013.
• Deaths in private construction increased 3 percent.
• Roadway incident deaths declined 5 percent from 2012, but accounted for nearly one-quarter of all workplace deaths in 2013.