Fatal work injuries totaled 153 in 2011 for Ohio, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Regional Commissioner Charlene Peiffer noted that while the 2011 count was preliminary, the number of work-related fatalities in Ohio decreased by eight over the year. Fatal occupational injuries in the state have ranged from a high of 222 in 1999 to a low of 137 in 2009. (See chart 1.)

Nationwide, a preliminary total of 4,609 fatal work injuries were recorded in 2011, down slightly from the final total of 4,690 in 2010, according to results from the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) program. Final 2011 CFOI data will be released in Spring 2013.

Of the 153 fatal work injuries reported in Ohio in 2011, 61 resulted from transportation incidents and 25 from contact with objects and equipment; together these two major categories accounted for 56 percent of all workplace fatalities. Other major event categories recorded fewer than 25 deaths each. (See table 1.) Within transportation incidents, roadway incidents involving motorized land vehicles was the most frequent type of workplace fatality with 37 deaths; in fact, it accounted for 24 percent of all on-the-job fatalities in the state. The second-largest event in transportation incidents, pedestrian vehicular incidents, accounted for 10 fatalities. In the contact with objects and equipment and category, over three-quarters (19) of the deaths occurred as a result of being struck by an object.

In the United States, transportation incidents were also the most frequent fatal workplace event in 2011, accounting for 41 percent of fatal work injuries. Ohio’s share of on-the-job fatalities due to this event was 40 percent. (See chart 2.) Violence and other injuries by persons or animals was the second most frequent type of event nationally, with 17 percent of work-related fatalities, 3 percentage points higher than the share in Ohio. Contact with objects or equipment (15 percent) and falls, slips, and trips (14 percent) were the third and fourth most frequent events, respectively, in the nation.

Additional key characteristics:

• The construction industry and the transportation and warehousing industry each had 22 workplace fatalities. Fatalities in the construction industry declined by 1 over the year, while worker deaths in the transportation and warehousing industry rose by 10 from a year ago. (See table 2.) Transportation incidents accounted for 18 of the worker deaths in the transportation and warehousing industry; exposure to harmful substances or environments accounted for seven worker deaths in the construction industry.
• The agriculture, forestry, and fishing industry had the next highest fatality count with 17, a decline of 10 over the year. Transportation incidents accounted for nine of the worker deaths in this sector.
• Transportation and material moving occupations had the highest number of fatal work injuries with 38. (See table 3.) The majority of these fatalities were heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers (21). Workers in management occupations had the next highest fatality count at 24. Over one-half (13) were farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers.
• Men accounted for 142, or 93 percent, of the work-related fatalities in the state. (See table 4.) Transportation incidents made up slightly more than two-fifths of these fatalities.
• In Ohio, 87 percent of those who died from a workplace injury were white non-Hispanics. Nationwide, this group accounted for 71 percent of work-related deaths.
• Workers 25-54 years old—the prime working age group—accounted for 84, or 55 percent, of the state’s work-related fatalities in 2011. Nationally, workers in this group accounted for 60 percent of on-the-job fatalities.
• Of the 153 fatal work injuries in Ohio, 75 percent worked for wages and salaries; the remaining were self-employed. The most frequent fatal event for both groups was transportation incidents.

Information in this release will be made available to sensory impaired individuals upon request. Voice phone: (202) 691-5200; Federal Relay Service: (800) 877-8339.

Technical Note

Background of the program. The Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, part of the BLS occupational safety and health statistics program, compiles a count of all fatal work injuries occurring in the U.S. during the calendar year. The program uses diverse state, federal, and independent data sources to identify, verify, and describe fatal work injuries. This assures counts are as complete and accurate as possible.

For technical information about the CFOI program, please go to the BLS Handbook of Methods on the BLS web site here: www.bls.gov/opub/hom/homch9_a1.htm. The technical information and definitions for the CFOI program are in Chapter 9, Part III of the BLS Handbook of Methods.

Federal/State agency coverage. The Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries includes data for all fatal work injuries, whether the decedent was working in a job covered by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) or other federal or state agencies or was outside the scope of regulatory coverage. Thus, any comparison between the BLS fatality census counts and those released by other agencies should take into account the different coverage requirements and definitions being used by each agency.

Acknowledgments. The Bureau of Labor Statistics appreciates the efforts of all federal, state, local, and private sector entities that submitted source documents used to identify fatal work injuries, in particular the Ohio Department of Health.

Table 1. Fatal occupational injuries by event or exposure, Ohio, 2011(p)

Event or exposure(1)	Number	Percent
Total	153	100
Violence and other injuries by persons or animals	22	14
Intentional injury by person	22	14
Intentional injury by other person	14	9
Shooting by other person--intentional	12	8
Self-inflicted injury--intentional	8	5
Shooting--intentional self-harm	5	3
Hanging, strangulation, asphyxiation--intentional self-harm	3	2
Transportation incidents	61	40
Aircraft incidents	4	3
Pedestrian vehicular incident	10	7
Pedestrian struck by vehicle in roadway	5	3
Pedestrian struck by forward-moving vehicle in roadway	5	3
Pedestrian struck by vehicle in nonroadway area	4	3
Roadway incidents involving motorized land vehicle	37	24
Roadway collision with other vehicle	15	10
Roadway collision--moving in same direction	3	2
Roadway collision--moving in opposite directions, oncoming	8	5
Roadway collision with object other than vehicle	19	12
Vehicle struck object or animal on side of roadway	19	12
Roadway noncollision incident	3	2
Jack-knifed or overturned, roadway	3	2
Nonroadway incident involving motorized land vehicles	9	6
Nonroadway collision with object other than vehicle	3	2
Nonroadway noncollision incident	5	3
Jack-knifed or overturned, nonroadway	4	3
Fires and Explosions	3	2
Falls, slips, trips	22	14
Falls on same level	7	5
Falls to lower level	15	10
Fall through surface or existing opening	4	3
Other fall to lower level	10	7
Exposure to harmful substances or environments	20	13
Exposure to electricity	11	7
Direct exposure to electricity	4	3
Direct exposure to electricity, greater than 220 volts	4	3
Indirect exposure to electricity	7	5
Indirect exposure to electricity, 220 volts or less	3	2
Indirect exposure to electricity, greater than 220 volts	3	2
Exposure to other harmful substances	8	5
Nonmedical use of drugs or alcohol--unintentional overdose	3	2
Inhalation of harmful substance	4	3
Inhalation of harmful substance--single episode	4	3
Contact with objects and equipment	25	16
Struck by object or equipment	19	12
Struck by powered vehicle--nontransport	7	5
Struck by falling object or equipment--other than powered vehicle	8	5
Struck by discharged or flying object	3	2
Struck by dislodged flying object, particle	3	2
Caught in or compressed by equipment or objects	6	4
Caught in running equipment or machinery	4	3
Footnotes: (1) Based on the BLS Occupational Injury and Illness Classification System (OIICS) 2.01 implemented for 2011 data forward. (p) Data are preliminary. Revised and final 2011 data are scheduled to be released in Spring 2013.
NOTE: Totals for major categories may include subcategories not shown separately. Percentages may not add to totals because of rounding. CFOI fatality counts exclude illness-related deaths unless precipitated by an injury event. SOURCE: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, in cooperation with State, New York City, District of Columbia, and Federal agencies, Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries

 

Table 2. Fatal occupational injuries by industry, Ohio, 2010-2011

Industry(1)	2010	2011(p)
	Number	Number	Percent
Total	161	153	100
Private industry	145	141	92
Natural resources and mining	29	20	13
Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting	27	17	11
Crop production	22	15	10
Mining(2)	--	3	2
Mining (except oil and gas)	--	3	2
Construction	23	22	14
Construction	23	22	14
Construction of buildings	--	5	3
Residential building construction	--	4	3
Residential building construction	--	4	3
Heavy and civil engineering construction	5	3	2
Specialty trade contractors	16	14	9
Foundation, structure, and building exterior contractors	7	5	3
Building equipment contractors	--	3	2
Building finishing contractors	--	3	2
Other specialty trade contractors	6	3	2
Site preparation contractors	4	3	2
Manufacturing	10	15	10
Manufacturing	10	15	10
Fabricated metal product manufacturing	4	4	3
Trade, transportation, and utilities	40	36	24
Wholesale trade	15	4	3
Retail trade	13	9	6
Transportation and warehousing	12	22	14
Truck transportation	5	18	12
General freight trucking	--	8	5
General freight trucking, long-distance	--	5	3
General freight trucking, long-distance, truckload	--	4	3
Specialized freight trucking	--	3	2
Transit and ground passenger transportation	--	3	2
Taxi and limousine service	--	3	2
Taxi service	--	3	2
Financial activities	9	4	3
Real estate and rental and leasing	6	3	2
Real estate	6	3	2
Professional and business services	10	13	8
Administrative and waste services	9	11	7
Administrative and support services	8	9	6
Services to buildings and dwellings	5	6	4
Landscaping services	5	5	3
Educational and health services	8	10	7
Health care and social assistance	8	8	5
Ambulatory health care services	--	5	3
Leisure and hospitality	8	11	7
Arts, entertainment, and recreation	--	6	4
Museums, historical sites, and similar institutions	--	3	2
Museums, historical sites, and similar institutions	--	3	2
Accommodation and food services	6	5	3
Food services and drinking places	6	5	3
Drinking places (alcoholic beverages)	--	4	3
Drinking places (alcoholic beverages)	--	4	3
Other services, except public administration	7	8	5
Other services, except public administration	7	8	5
Personal and laundry services	--	5	3
Government(3)	16	12	8
Local government(4)	7	12	8
Footnotes: (1) Industry data are based on the North American Industry Classification System, 2007. Total may include other industries not shown. (2) Includes fatal injuries at all establishments categorized as Mining (Sector 21) in the North American Industry Classification System, including establishments not governed by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) rules and reporting, such as those in Oil and Gas Extraction. (3) Includes fatal injuries to workers employed by governmental organizations regardless of industry. Includes all fatal occupational injuries meeting this ownership criterion across all specified years, regardless of industry classification system. (4) Includes all fatal occupational injuries meeting this ownership criterion across all specified years, regardless of industry classification system. (p) Data are preliminary. Revised and final 2011 data are scheduled to be released in Spring 2013.
NOTE: Totals for major categories may include subcategories not shown separately. Percentages may not add to totals because of rounding. Dashes indicate no data reported or data that do not meet publication criteria. CFOI fatality counts exclude illness-related deaths unless precipitated by an injury event. SOURCE: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, in cooperation with State, New York City, District of Columbia, and Federal agencies, Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries

 

Table 3. Fatal occupational injuries by occupation, Ohio, 2010-2011

Occupation(1)	2010	2011(p)
	Number	Number	Percent
Total	161	153	100
Management occupations	30	24	16
Operations specialties managers	--	3	2
Other management occupations	28	20	13
Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers	22	13	8
Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers	22	13	8
Construction managers	--	3	2
Construction managers	--	3	2
Healthcare practitioners and technical occupations	--	4	3
Protective service occupations	6	10	7
Law enforcement workers	--	6	4
Police officers	--	6	4
Police and sheriff's patrol officers	--	6	4
Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations	9	9	6
Grounds maintenance workers	4	7	5
Grounds maintenance workers	4	7	5
Tree trimmers and pruners	3	4	3
Personal care and service occupations	4	5	3
Sales and related occupations	10	7	5
Retail sales workers	--	3	2
Office and administrative support occupations	--	4	3
Farming, fishing, and forestry occupations	6	4	3
Forest, conservation, and logging workers	--	3	2
Logging workers	--	3	2
Fallers	--	3	2
Construction and extraction occupations	19	19	12
Construction trades workers	13	14	9
Construction laborers	6	4	3
Construction laborers	6	4	3
Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations	9	12	8
Vehicle and mobile equipment mechanics, installers, and repairers	3	3	2
Other installation, maintenance, and repair occupations	6	7	5
Maintenance and repair workers, general	--	3	2
Maintenance and repair workers, general	--	3	2
Production occupations	13	11	7
Metal workers and plastic workers	4	5	3
Welding, soldering, and brazing workers	--	3	2
Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers	--	3	2
Other production occupations	5	4	3
Miscellaneous production workers	--	3	2
Transportation and material moving occupations	36	38	25
Air transportation workers	--	3	2
Aircraft pilots and flight engineers	--	3	2
Commercial pilots	--	3	2
Motor vehicle operators	18	27	18
Driver/sales workers and truck drivers	15	23	15
Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers	12	21	14
Taxi drivers and chauffeurs	--	4	3
Taxi drivers and chauffeurs	--	4	3
Material moving workers	14	7	5
Laborers and material movers, hand	10	6	4
Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand	9	6	4
Footnotes: (1) Occupation data for 2010 are based on the Standard Occupational Classification system, 2000. Occupation data for 2011 are based on the Standard Occupational Classification system, 2010. Total may include occupations not shown. (p) Data are preliminary. Revised and final 2011 data are scheduled to be released in Spring 2013.
NOTE: Totals for major categories may include subcategories not shown separately. Percentages may not add to totals because of rounding. Dashes indicate no data reported or data that do not meet publication criteria. CFOI fatality counts exclude illness-related deaths unless precipitated by an injury event. SOURCE: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, in cooperation with State, New York City, District of Columbia, and Federal agencies, Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries

 

Table 4. Fatal occupational injuries by worker characteristics, Ohio, 2010-2011

Worker characteristics	2010	2011(p)
	Number	Number	Percent
Total	161	153	100
Employee status
Wage and salary workers(1)	118	115	75
Self-employed(2)	43	38	25
Gender
Men	146	142	93
Women	15	11	7
Age(3)
20 to 24 years	5	5	3
25 to 34 years	27	17	11
35 to 44 years	33	22	14
45 to 54 years	35	45	29
55 to 64 years	32	42	27
65 years and over	23	20	13
Race or ethnic origin(4)
White, non-Hispanic	141	133	87
Black or African-American, non-Hispanic	10	18	12
Footnotes: (1) May include volunteers and workers receiving other types of compensation. (2) Includes self-employed workers, owners of unincorporated businesses and farms, paid and unpaid family workers, and may include some owners of incorporated businesses or members of partnerships. (3) Information may not be available for all age groups. (4) Persons identified as Hispanic or Latino may be of any race. The race categories shown exclude Hispanic and Latino workers. (p) Data are preliminary. Revised and final 2011 data are scheduled to be released in Spring 2013.
NOTE: Totals for major categories may include subcategories not shown separately. Percentages may not add to totals because of rounding. CFOI fatality counts exclude illness-related deaths unless precipitated by an injury event. SOURCE: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, in cooperation with State, New York City, District of Columbia, and Federal agencies, Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries