Aug. 19, 2010

State's fatal work-injuries continued decrease in 2009

Sixty fatal work-injuries were recorded in Minnesota in 2009, a decrease of five cases from 2008 and 12 fewer cases than in 2007. The 2009 total is well below the average of 76 cases a year for 2004 through 2008. These and other workplace fatality statistics come from the annual Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI), conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor.

The CFOI also provided the following statistics for Minnesota's workplace fatalities during 2009.

Industries

• Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting had the highest number of fatalities, with 20 cases, compared to 25 cases in 2008, which was also the highest number of fatalities. Most of the fatalities were caused by either contact with objects and equipment or transportation incidents.
• Construction recorded the second-highest number of worker fatalities, with seven cases, down from 13 cases in 2008. There were 25 construction industry fatalities in 2005.
• Local government had the third-highest number of fatalities, with six cases. These included four fatalities of police officers.

Types of incidents

• Transportation incidents accounted for 22 fatalities and continued to be the most frequent fatal work-injury event. Fatalities resulting from transportation incidents decreased from 28 cases in 2008.
• Contact with objects and equipment continued to be the second-highest event category, with 14 fatalities, a sharp decrease from 26 cases in 2008. The most common incidents in this category were being struck by a falling object and getting caught in or crushed in collapsing materials.
• Fatalities due to assaults and violent acts increased from three cases in 2008 to 10 cases in 2009.
• There were nine fatalities resulting from falls in 2009, compared to three fatalities in 2008.

Worker characteristics

• Men accounted for 58 of the 60 fatally injured workers in 2009.
• Workers age 55 and older accounted for 25 fatalities. Thirteen of these fatalities were in the agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting industry division.
• Self-employed workers accounted for 21 fatalities, including 18 fatalities to workers in agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting. There were 26 fatalities to self-employed workers in 2008.

The Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, part of the Bureau of Labor Statistics' occupational safety and health statistics program, provides the most complete count of fatal work-injuries available. Workplace fatalities due to illnesses are not included.

The program uses diverse data sources to identify, verify and profile fatal work-injuries. Information about each workplace fatality (occupation and other worker characteristics, equipment being used and circumstances of the event) is obtained by cross-referencing source documents such as death certificates, workers' compensation records, and reports to federal and state agencies. This method assures counts are as complete and accurate as possible. The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry collects the information about Minnesota's workplace fatalities for the CFOI.

Minnesota 2009 CFOI tables are available at www.dli.mn.gov/RS/StatWSH.asp. National data from the CFOI program is available at www.bls.gov/iif/oshcfoi1.htm.

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News media contact:
Jenny O'Brien
(651) 284-5261