Fatal injuries to agricultural workers in 2021 were the second lowest in a decade

In 2021, there were 133 fatal work-related injuries to agricultural workers, 15 fewer than in 2020 and the lowest number since 2013 (128). Twenty-five involved motor vehicle incidents occurring entirely off a public roadway. One of every eight of these types of motor vehicle-related fatalities in the United States was to an agricultural worker in 2021.

Over 90 percent of the agricultural workers fatally injured on the job in 2021 were men (121). White, non-Hispanic workers accounted for 71 of the workplace fatalities. Fifty-two agricultural workers fatally injured were Hispanic or Latino. 

Agricultural workers aged 55 and older accounted for more than 40 percent of the 133 fatalities in 2021. Twenty-nine of the workers were 55 to 64 years old, and another 29 workers were aged 65 years and older. Thirty-two of all agricultural workers fatally injured on the job were self-employed. 

Since 2012, there have been 1,542 fatal injuries to agricultural workers, with the highest number (183) occurring in 2019. 

These data are from the Injuries, Illnesses, and Fatalities program. To learn more, see “National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries in 2021.” We also have more charts on work-related deaths.