The number of worker deaths increased last year, according to data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
In total, there were 5,333 fatal workplace injuries in 2019, compared to 5,250 in 2018. While the fatality rate has not changed from 2017, this is the highest number of workplace deaths since 2007.
The BLS data indicates that transportation incidents increased two percent in 2019 to 2,122 cases, the most cases since this series began in 2011.
The National Safety Council (NSC) says it is alarmed at the rise, and states that fatalities should never be the cost of doing business. It urges employers to have a systematic approach to safety that includes having policies, training and risk assessment techniques in place to address major causes of fatalities and injuries. The NSC recommends that leadership set the tone from the top and engage all workers in safety, identify hazards and measure safety performance using leading indicators to continuously improve.
Learn more about workplace data trends at injuryfacts.nsc.org.
