Bureau of Labor releases 2005 workplace fatality statistics

The Bureau of Labor Statistics released its annual workplace fatality data yesterday, reporting that 5,702 fatal work injuries were recorded in the U.S. in 2005, down one percent from 2004 at a rate of 4.0 per 100,000 workers.

Fatal highway incidents remained the most frequent cause of death, accounting for 1,428 deaths, a quarter of the fatalities, up two percent from 2004. Fatalities resulting from exposure to harmful substances or environments rose seven percent, with heat exposure the major reason. There were 767 fatal falls, a seven percent decline from 2004.

Other key findings include:

* The private construction industry accounted for 1,186 fatalities, the most of any industry.
* Fatalities in transportation and warehousing, agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting increased.
* Fatalities among workers under 20 years of age increased 18 percent.
* Fatalities among Hispanic workers increased two percent.
* There were 29 workplace fatalities attributable to hurricanes.

For the complete BLS report, go to: http://www.bls.gov/news.release/cfoi.toc.htm.