Workplace fatalities down 3.7 percent

Fewer workers died on the job in 2023, as fatal work injuries decreased 3.7 percent from 2022, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in its Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI). Transportation incidents remained the most frequent type of fatal event, accounting for over 36 percent of all occupational fatalities.

Construction had the most fatalities (1,075) among all industry sectors, which was the highest in this sector since 2011. Slips, trips, and falls accounted for most construction fatalities, the majority of which were falls to a lower level (between 6 and 30 feet).

The transportation and warehousing sector had the second highest number of workplace fatalities, with 930. Transportation incidents accounted for the vast majority.

Professional and business services saw 555 workplace fatalities, most caused by exposure to harmful substances (e.g., drugs or alcohol overdose) or environments (e.g., exposure to electricity and heat stress.