Fatal Occupational Injuries Decline Second Year in Row

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' 2024 fatal occupational injuries data showed 5,070 worker deaths – a second consecutive year of decline.

The fatal work injury rate was 3.3 fatalities per 100,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) workers in 2024, a decrease from a rate of 3.5 in 2023.

The decrease in fatal injuries in 2024 was largely driven by a 16.2% drop in fatalities due to exposure to harmful substances or environments (to 687 cases from 820). This decrease was in turn driven by a decline in drug or alcohol overdoses, which accounted for 59.7% of fatalities in this category, dropping to 410 fatal injuries in 2024 from 512 fatalities in 2023.

Key findings include

--A worker died every 104 minutes from a work-related injury in 2024 compared to 99 minutes in 2023.

--Workers in transportation and material moving occupations represented the occupational group with the most fatalities with 1,391 fatal work injuries in 2024, though this was a 7& decrease from 2023(1,495). The fatality rate for these workers was 12.5 fatalities per 100,000 FTE workers in 2024, down from 13.6 in 2023.

"Every decline in workplace fatalities represents a life saved and a family kept whole,” said Lorraine Martin, NSC CEO, in a statement. “This progress shows that when employers focus on serious injury and fatality risks, invest in prevention and build strong safety cultures, lives are protected. But 5,070 deaths in a single year is still 5,070 too many. We must accelerate proven strategies that address the highest-risk exposures and ensure every worker gets home safe.” 

NSC urges continued investment in proven safety strategies – including the reintroduction of the WORK to Save Lives Act – and offers employers free tools and resources through the Work to Zero initiative and Respond Ready Workplace, which advocates for naloxone for opioid overdose.