Workplace Fatalities Decline in 2009 Over 2008

Preliminary results from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries show a decline in workplace fatalities in 2009 compared with 2008.

Last year, 4,340 workers died from work-related injuries, down from a final count of 5,214 fatal work injuries in 2008.

The 4,340 workplace fatalities recorded in 2009 was the smallest total since the Bureau of Labor Statistics first began tracking the data in 1992.

The agency says high unemployment and layoffs in more dangerous industries like construction played a major role in the decrease.

Workers on average logged 6 percent fewer hours last year than in 2008. Employees in construction worked 17 percent fewer hours in 2009 than the previous year.

“While a decrease in the number of fatal work injuries is encouraging, we cannot — and will not — relent from our continued strong enforcement of workplace safety laws,” said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis in a statement. “A single worker hurt or killed on the job is one too many.”