Fatal Work Injuries: The Local Stats
The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics recently released its 2022 fatal work injury report, with the latest numbers available for workplace fatalities. Here’s how Pennsylvania and New Jersey fared:
Pennsylvania
The number of work-related fatalities in Pennsylvania reached 183 in 2022, up from 162 the previous year. Of those injuries, 147 occurred among employees receiving wages and salaries whereas 36 were self-employed. Transportation incidents accounted for 77 - or 42 percent - of all fatal work injuries in the commonwealth. Exposure to harmful substances accounted for 27 deaths, up from 24 the previous year. Contact with objects and equipment also was related to 27 fatalities, down from 29 the previous year. Slips, trips, and falls were the third most frequent work-related fatality, causing 24 deaths.
The occupation most at risk for workplace fatalities was the transportation materials and moving occupational group. In that group, drivers/sales workers and truck drivers represented 56 of the 72 fatalities. Construction and extraction had the second highest number of workplace deaths at 28. Construction trade workers represented 21 of the fatalities.
Pennsylvania’s workers 25-54 years old represented 49 percent of the state’s work-related fatalities in 2022, compared to 57 percent nationally.
New Jersey
The number of work-related fatalities in New Jersey was at 116 in 2022, up from 110 the previous year. Of those injuries, 95 were on wages and salaries and 21 were self-employed. Transportation incidents accounted for 46 - or 40 percent - of all fatal work injuries in the state. Exposure to harmful substances ranked number two, with 21 fatalities, and slips, trips, and falls were the third most frequent work-related fatality, causing 19 deaths.
As in Pennsylvania, the occupation most at risk for workplace fatalities was the transportation materials and moving occupational group. In that group, drivers/sales workers and truck drivers represented 19 of the 35 fatalities. Construction and extraction had the second highest number of workplace deaths at 23. Construction trade workers represented 16 of the fatalities.
New Jersey’s workers 45-54 years old accounted for 28 percent of the state’s work-related fatalities in 2022, compared to 20 percent nationally.
Nationally, transportation incidents were the most frequent fatal event in 2022, followed by falls, slips, and trips. Tied for third were violence and other injuries by persons or animals and exposure to harmful substances or environments.
If you have been hurt on the job, or at an unsafe workplace, you can hold your employer accountable, and be eligible to receive compensation beyond workers’ comp for their negligence. Contact a top Philadelphia attorney for construction injuries or trucking accidents who can help you present the best case possible.