News Release Information
25-122-CHI
Thursday, March 27, 2025
Fatal Work Injuries in Ohio — 2023
Fatal work injuries totaled 164 in 2023 for Ohio, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Acting Regional Commissioner Julie Wilson noted that the number of work-related fatalities in Ohio was up from the previous year. (See chart 1.) Fatal occupational injuries in the state have ranged from a high of 222 in 1999 to a low of 117 in 2020. Nationwide, a total of 5,283 fatal work injuries were recorded in 2023, a 3.7-percent decrease from 5,486 in 2022, according to the results from the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI).
Chart 1. Number of fatal occupational injuries by employee status, Ohio, 2014–23| Year | Total | Wage and salary | Self-employed |
|---|
2014 | 185 | 131 | 54 |
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2015 | 202 | 152 | 50 |
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2016 | 164 | 124 | 40 |
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2017 | 174 | 148 | 26 |
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2018 | 158 | 124 | 34 |
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2019 | 166 | 134 | 32 |
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2020 | 117 | 97 | 20 |
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2021 | 171 | 139 | 32 |
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2022 | 153 | 128 | 25 |
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2023 | 164 | 140 | 24 |
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. |
Transportation incidents (51) were the most frequent type of fatal event in Ohio, accounting for 31 percent of all fatal work injuries in the state. Nationally the share was 37 percent. (See chart 2 and table 1.)
Contact incidents (30) accounted for 18 percent of Ohio workplace fatalities; nationally the share was 15 percent.
Chart 2. Percent distribution of total fatal occupational injuries by event, United States and Ohio, 2023| Event | United States | Ohio |
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Transportation incidents | 37 | 31 |
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Contact incidents | 15 | 18 |
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Falls, slips, trips | 17 | 17 |
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Exposure to harmful substances, environments | 16 | 17 |
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All other | 16 | 16 |
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Note: Percents may not add to total due to rounding.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. |
The construction sector had the highest number of fatalities with 32. (See table 2.)
Falls, slips, and trips resulted in 15 of the 32 construction sector fatalities.
The specialty trade contractors subsector accounted for 19 of the sector’s fatal workplace injuries.
OccupationThe transportation and material moving occupational group had the highest number of fatal workplace injuries with 39. (See table 3.)
Transportation incidents resulted in 22 of the transportation and material moving fatalities.
Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers accounted for 14 of the major group’s fatal workplace injuries.
Worker characteristicsWage and salary workers accounted for 85 percent of workplace fatalities in Ohio; the self-employed comprised the remaining 15 percent. (See chart 1 and table 4.) Nationally, wage and salary workers comprised 83 percent of fatalities.
Males accounted for 91 percent of the work-related fatalities both in Ohio and nationally.
Workers 25-54 years old accounted for 58 percent of the state’s work-related fatalities, compared to 57 percent of on-the-job fatalities nationally. Workers 55 years and older accounted for 37 percent of the state’s work-related fatalities in 2023, compared to 35 percent of on-the-job fatalities nationally.
White non-Hispanics accounted for 77 percent of those who died from a workplace injury. Nationwide, this group accounted for 56 percent of work-related deaths.
Revision of Classification Systems
The 2022 North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) and the updated Occupational Injury and Illness Classification System (OIICS) were implemented with the release of 2023 data. As a result of these changes, comparisons between 2023 CFOI data and previous years should be made with caution. Refer to the national release technical note for more information.
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. For technical information and definitions for the CFOI, see the national CFOI release Technical notes, the BLS Handbook of Methods, and the CFOI definitions.
Acknowledgments. BLS thanks the Ohio BWC Division of Safety and Hygiene 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 nationally. See the national CFOI release Technical Notes for details on cooperating entities.
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, Ohio, 2023| Event or Exposure | Number | Percent (%) |
|---|
All events and exposures | 164 | 100 |
|---|
Violent acts | -- | -- |
|---|
Transportation incidents | 51 | 31 |
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Pedestrian incidents involving motorized land vehicles | 4 | 2 |
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Roadway incidents involving motorized land vehicle | 33 | 20 |
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Roadway collision with other vehicle(s) | 15 | 9 |
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Roadway collision with other vehicle(s)-moving in opposite directions, oncoming | 7 | 4 |
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Roadway collision with object other than vehicle | 13 | 8 |
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Collision with stationary object in roadway | 1 | 1 |
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Collision with object or animal on side of roadway | 7 | 4 |
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Roadway noncollision incident | 5 | 3 |
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Roadway noncollision- vehicle overturn | 4 | 2 |
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Roadway noncollision- jack-knifed or ran off road | 1 | 1 |
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Nonroadway incidents involving motorized land vehicles | 9 | 5 |
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Explosions and fires | -- | -- |
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Falls, slips, trips | 28 | 17 |
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Fall to lower level | 22 | 13 |
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Slip, trip, stumble or fall on same level | 5 | 3 |
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Fall on same level | 4 | 2 |
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Exposure to harmful substances, environments | 28 | 17 |
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Exposure to electricity | 5 | 3 |
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Exposure to harmful substances | 18 | 11 |
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Drug, alcohol overdose | 16 | 10 |
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Contact incidents | 30 | 18 |
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Struck by propelled, falling, or suspended object | 17 | 10 |
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Struck by falling object | 14 | 9 |
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Struck, caught, or compressed by running powered equipment | 10 | 6 |
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Struck by running powered equipment- during maintenance, cleaning, testing | 4 | 2 |
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Caught or entangled in running powered equipment | 3 | 2 |
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Struck by rolling powered vehicle or machinery | 2 | 1 |
|---|
NOTE: Data for all years are revised and final. Totals for major categories may include subcategories not shown separately. 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, Ohio, 2023| Industry | Number | Percentage (%) |
|---|
Total | 164 | 100 |
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Private industry | 149 | 91 |
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Natural resources and mining | 17 | 10 |
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Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting | 13 | 8 |
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Crop production | 9 | 5 |
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Oilseed and grain farming | 3 | 2 |
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Soybean farming | 2 | 1 |
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Corn farming | 1 | 1 |
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Other crop farming | 2 | 1 |
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Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction | 4 | 2 |
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Construction | 32 | 20 |
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Construction | 32 | 20 |
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Construction of buildings | 4 | 2 |
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Residential building construction | 3 | 2 |
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Residential building construction | 3 | 2 |
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Heavy and civil engineering construction | 8 | 5 |
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Utility system construction | 5 | 3 |
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Specialty trade contractors | 19 | 12 |
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Foundation, structure, and building exterior contractors | 8 | 5 |
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Roofing contractors | 3 | 2 |
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Building equipment contractors | 7 | 4 |
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Electrical contractors and other wiring installation contractors | 3 | 2 |
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Plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning contractors | 4 | 2 |
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Building finishing contractors | 4 | 2 |
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Finish carpentry contractors | 1 | 1 |
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Manufacturing | 21 | 13 |
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Manufacturing | 21 | 13 |
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Beverage and tobacco product manufacturing | 1 | 1 |
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Beverage manufacturing | 1 | 1 |
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Primary metal manufacturing | 6 | 4 |
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Fabricated metal product manufacturing | 4 | 2 |
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Electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing | 1 | 1 |
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Electric lighting equipment manufacturing | 1 | 1 |
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Electric lighting equipment manufacturing | 1 | 1 |
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Transportation equipment manufacturing | 4 | 2 |
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Motor vehicle parts manufacturing | 4 | 2 |
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Trade, transportation, and utilities | 36 | 22 |
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Wholesale trade | 8 | 5 |
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Merchant wholesalers, durable goods | 5 | 3 |
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Machinery, equipment, and supplies merchant wholesalers | 3 | 2 |
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Merchant wholesalers, nondurable goods | 3 | 2 |
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Retail trade | 9 | 5 |
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Food and beverage retailers | 4 | 2 |
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Grocery and convenience retailers | 3 | 2 |
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Convenience retailers and vending machine operators | 1 | 1 |
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Beer, wine, and liquor retailers | 1 | 1 |
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Beer, wine, and liquor retailers | 1 | 1 |
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Transportation and warehousing | 19 | 12 |
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Truck transportation | 11 | 7 |
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General freight trucking | 7 | 4 |
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General freight trucking, long-distance | 4 | 2 |
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Transit and ground passenger transportation | 3 | 2 |
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Information | -- | -- |
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Financial activities | 4 | 2 |
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Real estate and rental and leasing | 4 | 2 |
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Real estate | 4 | 2 |
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Professional and business services | -- | -- |
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Administrative and support and waste management and remediation services | 10 | 6 |
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Educational and health services | 8 | 5 |
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Educational services | 1 | 1 |
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Educational services | 1 | 1 |
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Technical and trade schools | 1 | 1 |
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Technical and trade schools | 1 | 1 |
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Health care and social assistance | 7 | 4 |
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Ambulatory health care services | 4 | 2 |
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Outpatient care centers | 1 | 1 |
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Leisure and hospitality | 9 | 5 |
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Arts, entertainment, and recreation | 4 | 2 |
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Accommodation and food services | 5 | 3 |
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Accommodation | 1 | 1 |
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Traveler accommodation | 1 | 1 |
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Food services and drinking places | 4 | 2 |
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Other services (except public administration) | 10 | 6 |
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Other services (except public administration) | 10 | 6 |
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Repair and maintenance | 5 | 3 |
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Automotive repair and maintenance | 5 | 3 |
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Government | -- | -- |
|---|
Federal government | -- | -- |
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State government | -- | -- |
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Local government | 13 | 8 |
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NOTE: Data for all years are revised and final. Totals for major categories may include subcategories not shown separately. 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, Ohio, 2023| Occupation | Number | Percentage (%) |
|---|
All occupations | 164 | 100 |
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Management occupations | 18 | 11 |
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Other management occupations | 15 | 9 |
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Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers | 11 | 7 |
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Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers | 11 | 7 |
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Business and financial operations occupations | -- | -- |
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Computer and mathematical occupations | -- | -- |
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Architecture and engineering occupations | -- | -- |
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Life, physical, and social science occupations | -- | -- |
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Community and social service occupations | 1 | 1 |
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Counselors, social workers, and other community and social service specialists | 1 | 1 |
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Miscellaneous community and social service specialists | 1 | 1 |
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Legal occupations | -- | -- |
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Educational instruction and library occupations | -- | -- |
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Other teachers and instructors | 1 | 1 |
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Arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media occupations | -- | -- |
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Healthcare practitioners and technical occupations | 4 | 2 |
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Healthcare support occupations | -- | -- |
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Protective service occupations | 10 | 6 |
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Other protective service workers | 4 | 2 |
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Food preparation and serving related occupations | 4 | 2 |
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Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations | 8 | 5 |
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Personal care and service occupations | -- | -- |
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Sales and related occupations | 6 | 4 |
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Retail sales workers | 6 | 4 |
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Cashiers | 3 | 2 |
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Cashiers | 3 | 2 |
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Retail salespersons | 3 | 2 |
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Retail salespersons | 3 | 2 |
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Office and administrative support occupations | 1 | 1 |
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Information and record clerks | 1 | 1 |
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Customer service representatives | 1 | 1 |
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Customer service representatives | 1 | 1 |
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Farming, fishing, and forestry occupations | -- | -- |
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Construction and extraction occupations | 26 | 16 |
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Construction trades workers | 21 | 13 |
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Carpenters | 1 | 1 |
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Carpenters | 1 | 1 |
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Construction laborers | 8 | 5 |
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Construction laborers | 8 | 5 |
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Electricians | 3 | 2 |
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Electricians | 3 | 2 |
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Roofers | 3 | 2 |
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Roofers | 3 | 2 |
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Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations | 16 | 10 |
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Vehicle and mobile equipment mechanics, installers, and repairers | 6 | 4 |
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Automotive technicians and repairers | 6 | 4 |
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Automotive service technicians and mechanics | 6 | 4 |
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Other installation, maintenance, and repair occupations | 10 | 6 |
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Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers | 2 | 1 |
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Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers | 2 | 1 |
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Production occupations | 14 | 9 |
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Supervisors of production workers | 1 | 1 |
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First-line supervisors of production and operating workers | 1 | 1 |
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First-line supervisors of production and operating workers | 1 | 1 |
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Assemblers and fabricators | 3 | 2 |
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Food processing workers | 1 | 1 |
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Miscellaneous food processing workers | 1 | 1 |
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Metal workers and plastic workers | 5 | 3 |
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Multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic | 3 | 2 |
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Multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic | 3 | 2 |
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Other production occupations | 4 | 2 |
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Miscellaneous production workers | 1 | 1 |
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Helpers--production workers | 1 | 1 |
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Transportation and material moving occupations | 39 | 24 |
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Motor vehicle operators | 26 | 16 |
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Driver/sales workers and truck drivers | 23 | 14 |
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Driver/sales workers | 4 | 2 |
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Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers | 14 | 9 |
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Light truck drivers | 5 | 3 |
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Passenger vehicle drivers | 3 | 2 |
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Material moving workers | 9 | 5 |
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Laborers and material movers | 4 | 2 |
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Pumping station operators | 1 | 1 |
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NOTE: Data for all years are revised and final. Totals for major categories may include subcategories not shown separately. 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, Ohio, 2023| Demographic | Number | Percentage (%) |
|---|
Total | 164 | 100 |
|---|
Employee status | |
|---|
Wage and salary workers | 140 | 85 |
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Self-employed | 24 | 15 |
|---|
Sex | |
|---|
Male | 150 | 91 |
|---|
Female | 14 | 9 |
|---|
Age | |
|---|
Under 16 years | -- | -- |
|---|
16 to 17 years | -- | -- |
|---|
18 to 19 years | 2 | 1 |
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20 to 24 years | 6 | 4 |
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25 to 34 years | 31 | 19 |
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35 to 44 years | 32 | 20 |
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45 to 54 years | 32 | 20 |
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55 to 64 years | 29 | 18 |
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65 years and over | 32 | 20 |
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Race or ethnic origin | |
|---|
White, non-Hispanic | 126 | 77 |
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Black or African-American, non-Hispanic | 19 | 12 |
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Hispanic or Latino | 13 | 8 |
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American Indian or Alaska Native, non-Hispanic | -- | -- |
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Asian, non-Hispanic | 6 | 4 |
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Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic | -- | -- |
|---|
NOTE: Data for all years are revised and final. Totals for major categories may include subcategories not shown separately. 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: Thursday, March 27, 2025
United States Department of Labor
