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News Release Information

23-133-CHI
Friday, February 24, 2023

Contacts Technical information: Media contact:
  • (312) 353-1138

Fatal Work Injuries in Illinois — 2021

Fatal work injuries totaled 176 in 2021 for Illinois, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Regional Commissioner Jason Palmer noted that the number of work-related fatalities in Illinois was up from the previous year. (See chart 1.) Fatal occupational injuries in the state have ranged from a high of 262 in 1996 to a low of 135 in 2020.

Nationwide, a total of 5,190 fatal work injuries were recorded in 2021, a 9-percent increase from 4,764 in 2020, according to the results from the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI).


Fatal event or exposure

In Illinois, transportation incidents resulted in 59 fatal work injuries and accounted for 34 percent of all fatal workplace injuries in the state. (See chart 2 and table 1.) Worker deaths from transportation incidents were up from 55 over the year.

Violence and other injuries by persons or animals was the second-most frequent fatal work event with 37 fatalities, up from 22 in the prior year. Falls, slips, or trips resulted in 33 work-related fatalities, up from 24 in the prior year. Contact with objects or equipment resulted in 23 work-related deaths compared to 17 in 2020.

Nationally, transportation incidents were the most frequent fatal event in 2021, accounting for 38 percent of fatal work injuries. Falls, slips, and trips was the second-most common fatal event (16 percent), followed by both exposure to harmful substances or environments and violence and other injuries by persons or animals (15 percent each) and contact with objects and equipment (14 percent).


Industry

The private transportation and warehousing industry sector had the highest number of fatalities in Illinois with 41, up from 27 in the previous year. (See table 2.) Transportation incidents resulted in 18 of the 41 fatalities in the industry. The truck transportation subsector accounted for 25 of the 41 fatal workplace injuries in the transportation and warehousing industry.

The private construction and manufacturing industry sectors each had 19 fatal workplace injuries. Construction fatalities were down from 21 in the previous year, while manufacturing fatalities were up from 13. The specialty trade contractors subsector accounted for 16, or 84 percent, of the fatal injuries in the construction industry.

Occupation

The transportation and material moving occupational group had the highest number of fatal workplace injuries with 64. (See table 3.) Motor vehicle operators accounted for 42 of the 64 fatalities among transportation and material moving workers.

The protective service occupational group had the second-highest number of fatal workplace injuries with 20, followed by management occupations (17), construction and extraction occupations (16), and installation, maintenance, and repair occupations (14). Security guards suffered 6 of the work-related deaths within the protective service group.

Additional highlights

Men accounted for 89 percent of the work-related fatalities in Illinois, compared to the 91-percent national share. (See table 4.) Transportation incidents made up 34 percent of the fatalities for men in Illinois.

White non-Hispanics accounted for 61 percent of those who died from a workplace injury. Nationwide, this group accounted for 60 percent of work-related deaths.

Workers 55 years and older accounted for 41 percent of the state’s work-related fatalities in 2021, compared to 35 percent of on-the-job fatalities nationally.

Of the 176 fatal work injuries in Illinois, 80 percent worked for wages and salaries; the remainder were self-employed. The most frequent fatal event for wage and salary workers, as well as self-employed workers was transportation incidents.


Technical Note

Background of the program. The Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI), part of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Safety and Health Statistics (OSHS) program, is a count of all fatalities resulting from workplace injuries occurring in the U.S. during the calendar year. The CFOI uses a variety of state, federal, and independent data sources to identify, verify, and describe fatal work injuries. This ensures counts are as complete and accurate as possible. For the 2021 national data, over 23,900 unique source documents were reviewed as part of the data collection process. For technical information and definitions for the CFOI, see the BLS Handbook of Methods at www.bls.gov/opub/hom/cfoi/home.htm and the CFOI definitions at www.bls.gov/iif/definitions/occupational-safety-and-health-definitions.htm.

Federal/State agency coverage. The CFOI includes data for all fatal work injuries, some of which may be outside the scope of other agencies or regulatory coverage. Comparisons between CFOI counts and those released by other agencies should account for the different coverage requirements and definitions used by each agency. For more information on the scope of CFOI, see www.bls.gov/iif/overview/cfoi-scope.htm and www.bls.gov/opub/hom/cfoi/concepts.htm.

Latency Cases. Latent fatal occupational injury cases occur when the date of injury differs from the date of death. In some cases, the death occurs in a different year than the occupational injury and are known as cross-year latent cases. In 2021, there were 197 cases nationally where this occurred, and 174 of these latent cases occurred more than 30 days prior to the start of 2021. For more information on latent cases, see www.bls.gov/opub/btn/volume-10/latency-in-fatal-occupational-injuries.htm.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic and the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries. CFOI reports fatal workplace injuries only. These may include fatal workplace injuries complicated by an illness such as COVID-19. Fatal workplace illnesses not precipitated by an injury are not in scope for CFOI. CFOI does not report any illness related information, including COVID-19. Additional information is available at www.bls.gov/covid19/effects-of-covid-19-on-workplace-injuries-and-illnesses-compensation-and-occupational-requirements.htm.

Acknowledgments. BLS thanks the Illinois Department of Public Health for their efforts in collecting accurate, comprehensive, and useful data on fatal work injuries. BLS also appreciates the efforts of all federal, state, local, and private sector entities that provided source documents used to identify fatal work injuries. Among these agencies are the Occupational Safety and Health Administration; the National Transportation Safety Board; the U.S. Coast Guard; the Mine Safety and Health Administration; the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (Federal Employees' Compensation and Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation divisions); the Federal Railroad Administration; the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration; state vital statistics registrars, coroners, and medical examiners; state departments of health, labor, and industrial relations and workers' compensation agencies; state and local police departments; and state farm bureaus.

Information in this release will be made available to individuals with sensory impairments upon request. Voice phone: (202) 691-5200; Telecommunications Relay Service: 7-1-1.

Table 1. Fatal occupational injuries by event or exposure, Illinois, 2020–21
Event or exposure (1)20202021
NumberNumberPercent

Total

135176100

Violence and other injuries by persons or animals

223721

Intentional injury by person

213620

Self-inflicted injury--intentional

774

Transportation incidents

555934

Pedestrian vehicular incident

10137

Pedestrian struck by vehicle in roadway

--32

Pedestrian struck by forward-moving vehicle in roadway

--32

Pedestrian struck by vehicle in nonroadway area

395

Pedestrian struck by vehicle backing up in nonroadway area

--53

Roadway incidents involving motorized land vehicle

303721

Roadway collision with other vehicle

152414

Roadway collision--moving in same direction

485

Roadway collision--moving in opposite directions, oncoming

163

Roadway collision--moving and standing vehicle in roadway

342

Roadway collision with object other than vehicle

763

Vehicle struck object or animal on side of roadway

663

Roadway noncollision incident

874

Ran off roadway

--53

Nonroadway incident involving motorized land vehicles

995

Nonroadway collision with object other than vehicle

--32

Nonroadway noncollision incident

763

Fires and explosions

--32

Fires

--32

Vehicle or machinery fire

--11

Falls, slips, trips

243319

Falls to lower level

162615

Other fall to lower level

--2313

Other fall to lower level less than 6 feet

--53

Other fall to lower level 26 to 30 feet

--32

Other fall to lower level more than 30 feet

--53

Exposure to harmful substances or environments

--2112

Exposure to other harmful substances

--159

Nonmedical use of drugs or alcohol--unintentional overdose

--159

Contact with objects and equipment

172313

Struck by object or equipment

12116

Struck by powered vehicle--nontransport

--63

Struck or run over by rolling powered vehicle

--32

Struck by swinging part of powered vehicle

--11

Struck by falling object or equipment--other than powered vehicle

632

Caught in or compressed by equipment or objects

332

Struck, caught, or crushed in collapsing structure, equipment, or material

295

Footnotes:
(1) Based on the BLS Occupational Injury and Illness Classification System (OIICS) 2.01 implemented for 2011 data forward.

NOTE: Data for all years are final. Totals for major categories may include subcategories not shown separately. For complete information on how the data are coded and presented see our definitions page at https://www.bls.gov/iif/definitions/census-of-fatal-occupational-injuries-definitions.htm. Dashes indicate no data reported or data that do not meet publication criteria. CFOI fatal injury counts exclude illness-related deaths unless precipitated by an injury event.

Table 2. Fatal occupational injuries by industry, Illinois, 2020–21
Industry (1)20202021
NumberNumberPercent

Total

135176100

Private industry (2)

12615488

Goods producing

------

Natural resources and mining

14----

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

13148

Crop production

11137

Oilseed and grain farming

995

Soybean farming

142

Corn farming

853

Greenhouse, nursery, and floriculture production

--11

Food crops grown under cover

--11

Mushroom production

--11

Other crop farming

121

Hay farming

--21

Animal production and aquaculture

111

Hog and pig farming

--11

Hog and pig farming

--11

Construction

211911

Construction

211911

Specialty trade contractors

13169

Foundation, structure, and building exterior contractors

542

Building equipment contractors

474

Plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning contractors

--32

Manufacturing

131911

Manufacturing

131911

Food manufacturing

--53

Other food manufacturing

--21

Primary metal manufacturing

--11

Alumina and aluminum production and processing

--11

Alumina and aluminum production and processing

--11

Aluminum sheet, plate, and foil manufacturing

--11

Fabricated metal product manufacturing

--42

Miscellaneous manufacturing

--32

Service providing (3)

------

Trade, transportation, and utilities

466034

Wholesale trade

9116

Retail trade

985

Food and beverage stores

432

Grocery stores

132

General merchandise stores

--11

Department stores

--11

Department stores

--11

Transportation and warehousing

274123

Truck transportation

182514

General freight trucking

141911

General freight trucking, local

485

General freight trucking, long-distance

8116

Specialized freight trucking

463

Specialized freight (except used goods) trucking, long-distance

463

Transit and ground passenger transportation

232

Taxi and limousine service

232

Support activities for transportation

442

Couriers and messengers

--11

Local messengers and local delivery

--11

Local messengers and local delivery

--11

Warehousing and storage

--85

Warehousing and storage

--85

General warehousing and storage

--85

Information

--42

Information

--42

Financial activities

453

Finance and insurance

--11

Credit intermediation and related activities

--11

Depository credit intermediation

--11

Commercial banking

--11

Real estate and rental and leasing

442

Real estate

--42

Professional and business services

14148

Professional, scientific, and technical services

532

Professional, scientific, and technical services

532

Other professional, scientific, and technical services

--11

Photographic services

--11

Photography studios, portrait

--11

Administrative and support and waste management and remediation services

9116

Administrative and support services

8116

Educational and health services

5----

Health care and social assistance

432

Ambulatory health care services

--11

Home health care services

--11

Home health care services

--11

Leisure and hospitality

--53

Accommodation and food services

553

Other services, except public administration

--85

Other services, except public administration

--85

Repair and maintenance

--53

Government (4)

92213

Federal government

132

State government

--42

Local government

6159

Footnotes:
(1) CFOI has used several versions of the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) since 2003 to define industry. For complete information on the version of NAICS used in this year, see our definitions page at https://www.bls.gov/iif/definitions/census-of-fatal-occupational-injuries-definitions.htm. Cases where ownership is unknown are included in private industry counts. Cases where industry is unknown are included in the service sector counts.
(2) Cases where ownership is unknown are included in private industry counts.
(3) Cases where industry is unknown are included in the service sector counts.
(4) Includes fatal injuries to workers employed by governmental organizations regardless of industry. Cases classified as foreign government and other government are included in all government counts, but not displayed separately.

NOTE: Data for all years are final. Totals for major categories may include subcategories not shown separately. For complete information on how the data are coded and presented see our definitions page at https://www.bls.gov/iif/definitions/census-of-fatal-occupational-injuries-definitions.htm. Dashes indicate no data reported or data that do not meet publication criteria. CFOI fatal injury counts exclude illness-related deaths unless precipitated by an injury event.

Table 3. Fatal occupational injuries by occupation, Illinois, 2020–21
Occupation (1)20202021
NumberNumberPercent

Total

135176100

Management occupations

61710

Other management occupations

--137

Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers

--106

Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers

--106

Arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media occupations

--11

Protective service occupations

82011

Other protective service workers

363

Security guards and gambling surveillance officers

--63

Security guards

--63

Food preparation and serving related occupations

--32

Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations

9106

Supervisors of building and grounds cleaning and maintenance workers

--32

First-line supervisors of building and grounds cleaning and maintenance workers

--32

Building cleaning and pest control workers

--42

Building cleaning workers

--42

Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners

--42

Grounds maintenance workers

--32

Grounds maintenance workers

--32

Personal care and service occupations

--21

Personal appearance workers

--21

Barbers, hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists

--21

Barbers

--21

Sales and related occupations

995

Retail sales workers

--11

Cashiers

--11

Cashiers

--11

Sales representatives, services

--21

Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing

--32

Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing

--32

Office and administrative support occupations

142

Financial clerks

--11

Tellers

--11

Tellers

--11

Construction and extraction occupations

20169

Construction trades workers

17137

Construction laborers

632

Construction laborers

632

Pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters

--21

Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters

--21

Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations

15148

Electrical and electronic equipment mechanics, installers, and repairers

--42

Vehicle and mobile equipment mechanics, installers, and repairers

663

Automotive technicians and repairers

--42

Automotive service technicians and mechanics

--42

Other installation, maintenance, and repair occupations

742

Production occupations

885

Metal workers and plastic workers

642

Transportation and material moving occupations

396436

Supervisors of transportation and material moving workers

--32

First-line supervisors of transportation and material moving workers

--32

First-line supervisors of material-moving machine and vehicle operators

--11

Motor vehicle operators

314224

Driver/sales workers and truck drivers

--3822

Driver/sales workers

--32

Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers

--3017

Light truck drivers

--53

Passenger vehicle drivers

--42

Taxi drivers

--32

Material moving workers

51911

Laborers and material movers

--148

Footnotes:
(1) CFOI has used several versions of the Standard Occupation Classification (SOC) system since 2003 to define occupation. For complete information on the version of SOC used in this year, see our definitions page at https://www.bls.gov/iif/definitions/census-of-fatal-occupational-injuries-definitions.htm. Cases where occupation is unknown are included in the total.

NOTE: Data for all years are final. Totals for major categories may include subcategories not shown separately. For complete information on how the data are coded and presented see our definitions page at https://www.bls.gov/iif/definitions/census-of-fatal-occupational-injuries-definitions.htm. Dashes indicate no data reported or data that do not meet publication criteria. CFOI fatal injury counts exclude illness-related deaths unless precipitated by an injury event.

Table 4. Fatal occupational injuries by selected demographic characteristics, Illinois, 2020–21
Worker characteristics20202021
NumberNumberPercent

Total

135176100

Employee status

Wage and salary workers (1)

10914080

Self-employed (2)

263620

Gender

Men

12515789

Women

101911

Age (3)

20 to 24 years

4148

25 to 34 years

253118

35 to 44 years

252715

45 to 54 years

233118

55 to 64 years

384224

65 years and over

183118

Race or ethnic origin (4)

White, non-Hispanic

9710861

Black or African-American, non-Hispanic

153520

Hispanic or Latino

182715

Asian, non-Hispanic

542

Footnotes:
(1) May include volunteers and workers receiving other types of compensation. Cases where employment status is unknown are included in the counts of wage and salary workers.
(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 data for Hispanics and Latinos. Cases where ethnicity is unknown are included in counts of non-Hispanic workers.

NOTE: Data for all years are final. Totals for major categories may include subcategories not shown separately. For complete information on how the data are coded and presented see our definitions page at https://www.bls.gov/iif/definitions/census-of-fatal-occupational-injuries-definitions.htm. Dashes indicate no data reported or data that do not meet publication criteria. CFOI fatal injury counts exclude illness-related deaths unless precipitated by an injury event.

 

Last Modified Date: Friday, February 24, 2023