Safety is Paying Off By Robert Warne - October 26, 2001California workplace deaths for 2000 dropped to a record low since 1992. The Department of Industrial Relations’ Division of Labor Statistics and Research published its preliminary figures recently. The number of deaths in 2000 attributable to work related accidents was 553. This is a significant drop when compared to the 1992 work related deaths statistics that totaled 644.
Fatalities by event or exposure:
230 Transportation accidents including collisions between vehicles or workers struck by vehicles or mobile equipment
112 Assault and violent acts
71 Falls
69 Contact with objects and equipment
60 Exposure to harmful substances or environments
9 Fires and explosions.
Fatalities by industry:
18.1% Services (business, auto repair and garages, amusement and recreation)
17.2% Construction
17.2% Transportation/public utilities
14.5% Agriculture/forestry/fishing
10.8% Retail trade
9.6% Government
7.4% Manufacturing
3.1% Wholesale trade
1.4% Finance/insurance/real estate
.7% Mining
Fatalities by occupation:
28.4% Operators, fabricators and laborers
20.8% Precision production, craft and repair occupations
15.6% Technical sales and administrative support occupations
14.3% Farming, forestry and fishing occupations
The national census of fatal workplace injuries and illnesses identifies, verifies and profiles workplaces of all employees in the private sector, as well as individuals who are self employed, civilian and military government workers. Census sources include Cal/OSHA and federal OSHA reports, law enforcement data, workers’ compensation claims, coroners’ reports and news reports. Complete details regarding the above statistics are posted on the Internet at www.dir.ca.gov/DLSR. |