Aug. 27, 2009

State's fatal work-injuries continued decrease in 2008

Sixty-five fatal work-injuries were recorded in Minnesota in 2008, a decrease of seven cases from 2007 and 13 fewer cases than in 2006. The 2008 total is well below the average of 78 cases a year for 2003 through 2007. 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.

Among Minnesota's metropolitan statistical areas, there were 12 fatalities in Minneapolis-St. Paul (including the neighboring Wisconsin counties), eight fatalities in Rochester, six in Duluth (including area in Wisconsin) and four fatalities in St. Cloud. The CFOI also provided the following statistics for Minnesota's workplace fatalities during 2008.

Industries

• Agriculture and logging had the highest number of fatalities, with 25 cases, compared to 17 cases in 2007, which was also the highest number of fatalities. Self-employed workers accounted for 23 of those 25 fatalities. Most of the fatalities were caused by either contact with objects and equipment or transportation incidents.



• Construction industry fatalities decreased to 13 cases in 2008, nearly half of the 25 cases reported in 2005. This is also down from 16 cases in 2007.



• Self-employed workers accounted for 26 fatalities, up from 18 fatalities to self-employed workers in 2007.

Types of incidents

• Transportation incidents accounted for 28 fatalities and continued to be the most frequent fatal work-injury event. Fatalities resulting from transportation incidents increased from 24 cases in 2007, but were below the 2003 to 2007 average of 29 cases. Transportation incidents include traffic collisions, overturned vehicles, workers stuck by vehicles, construction and farm vehicle accidents. Eight of the fatalities were due to aircraft accidents.



• Contact with objects and equipment continued to be the second-highest event category, with 26 fatalities, an increase from 16 cases in 2007, but similar to the 27 cases reported in 2006. The most common incidents in this category were being struck by a falling object and getting caught in or compressed by equipment or objects.



• There were three fatalities that resulted from falls in 2008, compared to 11 fall fatalities in 2007.



• Fatalities due to assaults and violent acts decreased from nine cases in 2007 to three cases in 2008, the same count as in 2006.

Worker characteristics

• Men accounted for 63 of the 65 fatally injured workers in 2008.



• Workers age 55 and older accounted for 22 fatalities. Twelve of these fatalities were in the agriculture and logging industry division.

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 2008 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:
James Honerman
(651) 284-5313