Work-related Fatality Rate Rose 5.7% in 2022

In 2022, 5,486 work-related fatalities were recorded in the U.S., a 5.7 percent increase compared to 2021, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports. There were 3.7 deaths per 100,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) workers.

Key findings from the nation’s Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries include the following:

• The fatality rate for Black or African American and Hispanic or Latino employees was 4.2 and 4.6 per 100,000 FTE workers, respectively.
• Fatalities attributed to extreme temperatures increased 18.6 percent compared to 2021.
• Deaths caused by exposure to harmful substances/environments increased 5 percent.
• Fatalities caused by people or animal-related violence increased 11.6 percent to 849, including 524 homicides.
• Transportation, material moving, construction and extraction occupations had the highest fatality rates.
• Transportation incidents continued to be the most frequent cause of fatalities, accounting for 37.7 percent of deaths.

Click here for detailed findings and charts. To learn about WorkCare’s industry-specific injury and fatality prevention solutions, contact us at info@workcare.com.