| the Census of Fatal Occupational
Injuries. The Count for 2002 was the lowest ever recorded
by the 13-year old annual fatality survey. The fatality
rate also reached a new low of 4.0 fatal work injuries
per 100,000 workers in 2002. Fatalities resulting from
falls declined for the first time since 1998, from 810
in 2001 to 714 in 2002, a drop of 12 percent. Virtually
all types of fatal falls declined in 2002, though falls
from ladders and nonmoving vehicles increased slightly.
Fatal highway incidents were down 3 percent from 2001,
but continued to be the most frequent type of workplace
fatality in 2002, accounting for about a quarter of
those |
|
(up 8 percent). The increase in this event category
was led by a sharp increase in the number of fatalities
involving contact with temperature extremes (such as heat
stroke), which increased from 35 fatalities in 2001 to
60 in 2002. Electrocutions also increased slightly in
2002. Construction continued to record the highest
number of fatalities of any major industry, although
the total for construction was down 9 percent from the
series high recorded in 2001. The number of mining deaths
was lower, due to declines in coal mining and in oil
and gas extraction. Fatal work injuries in manufacturing,
transportation and public utilities, retail and wholesale
trade, services, and government also declined from 2001
levels. |
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