2019 workplace fatalities hits older and Hispanic workers disproportionately
The 5,333 fatal work injuries in the U.S . in 2019 was the highest number since 2007, according to a new federal Bureau of Labor Statistics report.
Key data in several categories deserve retail employers’ attention:
- Older worker – fatalities for workers age 55 and older, 2,005, was the largest ever recorded for this age group.
- Hispanic or Latino worker – fatalities was 1,088, an 13 % increase that’s the highest since 1992
- Driving related fatalities – driver/sales workers incurred 1,005 fatal occupational injuries, the highest since the series began in 2003.
Other key data deserving attention:
- Fatalities from falls, slips and trips increased 11% in 2019 to 880.
- Exposure to harmful substances or environments led to 642 deaths, the highest figure since 2011.
- Unintentional overdoses due to nonmedical use of drugs or alcohol increased for the seventh consecutive year to 313 in 2019.
- Fatalities due to fires and explosive decreased 14% to 99 in 2019.
The BLS’ census of fatal occupational injuries reviewed more than 25,100 unique source documents in compiling the report.
Retail Services maintains an archive of safety-related resources and apps and sends monthly safety packets to members.