Workers ages 18 to 19 saw a 9.4-percent drop in fatal injuries in 2022

In 2022, there were 77 fatal injuries involving workers between the ages 18 to 19 years, 8 fewer than in 2021. This was the first decrease in fatalities for this age group since 2019, despite 2022 having the second-largest number of fatal injuries for this age group in a decade. Only three age groups—all of which are 19 years and younger—experienced decreases in fatalities in 2022: under 16 years, 16 to 17 years, and 18 to 19 years.

Transportation incidents made up almost half (42.9 percent) of all fatalities to workers 18 to 19 years old in 2022 and increased to 33 from 28 in the prior year. However, decreases in both exposure to harmful substances or environments and contact with objects and equipment contributed to the overall decrease in fatalities to workers in this age group in 2022.

These data are from the Injuries, Illnesses, and Fatalities program. To learn more about fatal injuries, see “National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries in 2022.” We also have more charts on fatal work injuries. The event or exposure describes the manner in which the injury or illness was produced or inflicted by the source of injury or illness. Explanation of event or exposure is in the Occupational Injury and Illness Classification Manual.