There were 5,333 fatal work injuries recorded in the United States in 2019, a two percent increase from the 5,250 in 2018, according to figures released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Events involving transportation incidents accounted for the largest share of fatalities.
The fatal work injury rate was 3.5 fatalities per 100,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) workers, which was the rate reported in 2018.
Key findings from the 2019 Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries:
- Driver/sales workers and truck drivers incurred 1,005 fatal occupational injuries, the highest since the series began in 2003.
- Transportation incidents increased two percent in 2019 to 2,122 cases, the most cases since the series began in 2011. Events involving transportation incidents continued to account for the largest share of fatalities.
- Nearly one out of every five fatally injured workers was employed as a driver/sales worker or truck driver.
