Fewer plant fatalities

Latest BLS report shows work-related deaths in manufacturing dropped 26.1 percent

by Paul V. Arnold

Work-related deaths at American manufacturing plants decreased 26.1 percent in 2003, the U.S. Labor Department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in its recently released Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries.

A total of 416 work-related deaths occurred at U.S. plants in 2003. In comparison, there were 563 deaths in 2002 and 602 in 2001. The 416 deaths equate to a case rate of 2.5 fatalities per 100,000 employees.

The BLS stated that the death total and case rate were record lows for manufacturing since it began compiling such data in 1993 (the first report covered 1992). The 26.1 percent decrease in overall cases was, by far, the largest improvement out of the 12 reports. The second-biggest drop (10.2 percent) occurred in 2001.

The manufacturing figures put a positive focus on the overall work-related fatality numbers.

Among all U.S. industries, there were 5,559 workplace fatalities in 2003, a .005 percent increase from 2002, when 5,534 were reported. The 1997 report marked the last time that the fatality total increased from the previous year.

Even with the increase, the overall case rate in 2003 remained at 4.0 fatalities per 100,000 employees.

“We have said many times before that even one workplace fatality is one too many, and we will continue to do everything we can to make sure workers are safe through strong, fair and effective enforcement; outreach, education and compliance assistance; and partnerships and cooperative programs,” said John Henshaw, the Occupational Health and Safety Administration’s assistant secretary of labor.

Manufacturing ranked sixth out of 15 listed industries in 2003 for number of fatalities, and was tied for ninth in case rate.

The construction industry was far and away the leader in fatalities (1,126, but an 11 percent decrease from 2002) and was fourth in case rate (11.7). The agriculture/forestry/fishing industry had the highest case rate (31.2).

“We’ve made progress, but this points to where we need to do better,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao.

Of the manufacturing industry’s 416 fatalities, the largest number occurred in food manufacturing (58), non-metallic mineral product manufacturing (46), fabricated metal product manufacturing (43) and wood product manufacturing (37).

Among production occupations, there were 282 deaths. For clearly defined production occupations, metal workers and plastic workers had the most fatalities (84), followed by assemblers and fabricators (34), and plant and system operators (15).

Among important statistics that encompass all industries:
• Men accounted for 92 percent of work-related fatalities.
• A total of 10.8 percent of deaths occurred to workers under age 25. Other age categories included: 25-34 (18 percent), 35-44 (24), 45-54 (23), 55-64 (14), and 65 and older (9).
• Seventy-two percent of fatalities were to White workers, compared to 14 percent for Hispanics and 10 percent for Blacks (10).
• Deaths as the result of assault or violent acts rose 7.3 percent in 2003 to 901. Shootings (487) accounted for 77 percent of the 631 homicides.
• Death through contact with objects and equipment rose 4.5 percent to 911.
• Deaths from falls decreased 3.9 percent to 691. There were 113 fatal falls from ladders.
• Electrocution deaths dropped 14.9 percent to a record-low 246.
• Death through exposure to caustic, noxious or allergenic substances rose 22.2 percent to 121.

To view the entire report, visit the BLS Web site at www.bls.gov 

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