Regardless of the type of job a worker in Ohio does, there is always a chance that there will be a fatal workplace accident. Government agencies gather information about these accidents to determine how and why they happen. These statistics can reveal interesting trends and information about the danger in certain industries, as well as which workers may be most at risk.
From 2013 to 2014, there was a nine percent increase in fatalities for private industries that produce goods. On the other hand, there was a slight decrease in the number of deaths in the private service-producing industries during that time. Mining accidents that led to a death rose by 17 percent, and the agriculture industry had a 14 percent increase in fatal accidents. Likewise, manufacturing-related fatalities were up by nine percent, and construction deaths rose by six percent. Also, the number of government workers who died in a fatal accident decreased by 12 percent.
The number of incidents in which there was a trip, slip or fall rose from 724 in 2013 to 793 in 2014. Much of this was due to falls from a higher level to a lower level. Those numbers went from 595 in 2013 to 647 in 2014.
Workers age 55 and above were more susceptible to a fatal workplace accident with 1,490 in 2013 to 1,621 in 2014. The numbers for that age group are the highest that have ever been recorded by the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries.
Workers who are self-employed experienced a rise in fatal injuries by 10 percent. Furthermore, fatal workplace accidents amongst women rose by 13 percent in 2014 compared to 2013. Although that number was higher, only eight percent of the fatal accidents overall involved women. The number of Hispanic and Latino workers who died in workplace accidents declines, but other groups including whites, African-Americans and Asians had higher numbers of fatalities.
Contracted workers died at a six percent higher rate than in 2013 with 797 fatalities. Of all fatalities, contracted workers accounted for 17 percent. Fatalities among police officers and supervisors rose to 103 in 2014, which was an increase of 17 percent.
People who have to face the loss of a loved one in a workplace accident might not have considered the possibility of it happening. Unfortunately, as these numbers show, they do happen all too often. When there is a fatal workplace accident, those who were affected need to understand how to seek compensation through legal action that might include a wrongful death lawsuit. An experienced attorney can help people in this difficult situation.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries Summary, 2014," accessed on Oct. 5, 2015
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