BLS: Fatal work injuries, rate declined in 2012

Washington – The number of fatal workplace injuries decreased in 2012 from the previous year, according to a preliminary report released Aug. 22 by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

A preliminary total of 4,383 fatal work injuries occurred in 2012, compared with a final count of 4,693 deaths in 2011.

Other key points from the report include:

• Fatal injuries in the construction industry decreased by 5 percent between 2011 and 2012.
• Workers younger than 16 saw an increase in injury deaths – 19 in 2012, compared with 10 in 2011.
• The No. 1 event leading to a workplace injury death remained transportation in 2012, with 41 percent of the total, but the number of transportation deaths declined by 148 from 2011.

A final report on fatal occupational injuries is expected in the spring, BLS said.