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News Release Information

15-231-NEW
Thursday, February 12, 2015

Contacts Technical information: Media contact:
  • (617) 565-4141

Fatal Work Injuries in the New York Area – 2013

Fatal work injuries totaled 152 in 2013 for the New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, N.Y.-N.J.-Pa. Metropolitan Statistical Area, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Chief Regional Economist Martin Kohli noted that while the 2013 count was preliminary, the number of work-related fatalities in the New York area declined by 32 over the year. Fatal occupational injuries in the metropolitan area have ranged from a high of 236 in 2004 to a low of 145 in 2010. Over the last five years, the annual average number of fatalities was 163. (See chart 1.)

Nationwide, a preliminary total of 4,405 fatal work injuries were recorded in the United States in 2013, down from a revised count of 4,628 fatal work injuries in 2012, according to results from the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) program. Final 2013 CFOI data will be released in spring 2015.

In 2013, the New York area had the largest population nationally and placed first in the number of work-related fatalities among the 10 largest metropolitan statistical areas in the United States. (See chart 2.) The next most populated area in the country, Los Angeles, had the next highest number of workplace fatalities (102) in 2013. Atlanta, the ninth largest metropolitan area, had the lowest fatality count with 29.

Of the 152 fatal work injuries recorded in the New York metropolitan area in 2013, 49 resulted from transportation incidents; 25 of these were roadway incidents involving motorized land vehicles, and 16 were pedestrian vehicular incidents. Transportation incidents was the most frequent fatal event in 8 of the 10 largest metropolitan areas in 2013, including New York. The areas with the highest shares of work-related deaths from transportation incidents were Miami (39.7 percent), Chicago (32.6 percent), and New York (32.2 percent). (Note that transportation counts presented in this release are expected to rise when updated 2013 data are released in spring 2015 because key source documentation detailing specific transportation-related incidents has not yet been received.) (See table 1 and table 2.)

Violence and other injuries by person or animals was the second-most frequent fatal event in the New York metropolitan area, accounting for one out of every four deaths. Among the largest ten metropolitan areas, the highest shares of workplace fatalities due to violence were in Washington (41.0 percent), Boston (35.7 percent), and Atlanta (27.6 percent). Twenty-two of the 38 New York area fatalities in this category were intentional injuries by other persons (homicides).

Falls, slips, and trips were the third-most frequent fatal event in the New York area, resulting in 20.4 percent of all fatalities. Of the 31 fatalities in this category, 25 involved falls to a lower level.

In the United States, transportation incidents were also the most frequent fatal workplace event in 2013, amounting to 40 percent of all fatal work injuries. In contrast, this category accounted for 32 percent of the work fatalities in the New York area. (See chart 3.) The second most frequent fatal event, violence and other injuries by persons or animals, with 17 percent of the deaths at work nationally, accounted for a 25-percent share of New York area fatal work injuries. Contact with objects or equipment and falls, slips, or trips each accounted for 16 percent of the nation’s workplace fatalities.

Additional key characteristics:
  • The trade, transportation, and utilities sector had the largest number of fatalities in the area with 51, compared to 58 the previous year.(See table 3.) Two categories—violence and other injuries by persons or animals, and transportation incidents— each accounted for 21 worker deaths.
  • The construction industry had the second highest fatality count with 36, unchanged from 2012. Half of these incidents were fatal falls, slips, and trips.
  • Transportation and material moving occupations had the highest number of fatal work injuries with 51. (See table 4.) The majority of these fatalities were motor vehicle operators (32), including driver/sales workers and truck drivers. Construction and extraction workers had the second highest fatality count at 25, followed by installation, maintenance, and repair occupations, with 17.
  • Men accounted for 144, or 95 percent, of the work-related fatalities in the area. (See table 5.) Almost one-third of these deaths resulted from transportation incidents, including 24 roadway fatalities involving motorized land vehicles.
  • Hispanic or Latino workers were the decedents in 41 workplace deaths, compared to 43 in 2012. Foreign-born Hispanic or Latino workers accounted for 28 incidents, down from 33 one year earlier. The most frequent event for Hispanic or Latino workers was contact with objects or equipment.
  • Older workers—those 55 years old and over—accounted for 57, or 37 percent, of the metropolitan area’s work-related fatalities in 2013. Nationally, workers in this group accounted for 32 percent of on-the-job fatalities.

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 (CFOI), part of the BLS Occupational Safety and Health Statistics (OSHS) program, compiles a count of all fatal work injuries occurring in the U.S. during the calendar year. The CFOI program uses diverse 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 technical information about the CFOI program, please go to the BLS Handbook of Methods on the BLS web site at www.bls.gov/opub/hom/soii/home.htm.

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.

Area definitions. The substate area data published in this release reflect the standards and definitions established by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, dated December 2009. A detailed list of the geographic definitions is available at www.bls.gov/lau/lausmsa.htm.

Table 1. Fatal occupational injuries by selected event groups in the largest 10 metropolitan areas in 2013
Metropolitan area(1)Total fatalities(2)Transportation incidentsViolence and other injuries by persons or animalsFalls, slips, tripsExposure to harmful substances or environmentsContact with objects and equipment

United States(3)

4,4051,740753699330717

New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, N.Y.-N.J.-Pa.

1524938311318

Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana, Calif.

1022822241215

Chicago-Joliet-Naperville, Ill.-Ind.-Wis.

95312311619

Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown, Texas

8624229916

Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, D.C.-Va.-Md.-W.Va.

83153415413

Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach, Fla.

7831161856

Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, Texas

72191516612

Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, Pa.-N.J.-Del.-Md.

6219161357

Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, Mass.-N.H.

42915926

Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta, Ga.

29984-8

Footnotes:
(1) Metropolitan areas used in this table are Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) based on definitions from the Office of Management and Budget Bulletin Number 10-02, December 2009.
(2) Data area based on preliminary total of 4,405 fatal work injuries for 2013.
(3) Also includes fatalities occurring in nonmetropolitan areas.
 

Note: Data for 2013 are prelimnary. Dash indicates no data reported or data that do not meet publication criteria.
 

Table 2. Fatal occupational injuries by event or exposure, New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, NY-NJ-PA, 2012-2013
Event or exposure(1)20122013
NumberNumberPercent

Total

184152100

 

 

Violence and other injuries by persons or animals

513825

Intentional injury by person

473624

Intentional injury by other person

322214

Shooting by other person--intentional

221711

Stabbing, cutting, slashing, piercing

632

Self-inflicted injury--intentional

15149

Shooting--intentional self-harm

453

 

 

Transportation incidents

514932

Pedestrian vehicular incident

141611

Pedestrian struck by vehicle in roadway

6107

Pedestrian struck by forward-moving vehicle in roadway

685

Pedestrian struck by vehicle in nonroadway area

453

Water vehicle incidents

------

Machinery or equipment incident on water vehicle

--11

Roadway incidents involving motorized land vehicle

262516

Roadway collision with other vehicle

161510

Roadway collision--moving in same direction

553

Roadway collision with object other than vehicle

896

Vehicle struck object or animal on side of roadway

685

Nonroadway incident involving motorized land vehicles

543

 

 

Fires and explosions

532

 

 

Falls, slips, trips

403120

Falls on same level

553

Fall on same level due to slipping

--32

Falls to lower level

352516

Other fall to lower level

262214

Other fall to lower level less than 6 feet

753

Other fall to lower level 6 to 10 feet

532

Other fall to lower level 11 to 15 feet

--32

Other fall to lower level 16 to 20 feet

432

Other fall to lower level more than 30 feet

--32

 

 

Exposure to harmful substances or environments

15139

Exposure to electricity

653

Direct exposure to electricity

653

Direct exposure to electricity, greater than 220 volts

443

Exposure to other harmful substances

564

Nonmedical use of drugs or alcohol--unintentional overdose

443

 

 

Contact with objects and equipment

221812

Struck by object or equipment

191711

Struck by powered vehicle--nontransport

5107

Struck or run over by rolling powered vehicle

--32

Struck by other falling powered vehicle

--53

Footnotes:
(1) Based on the BLS Occupational Injury and Illness Classification System (OIICS) 2.01 implemented for 2011 data forward. Total may include other events not shown.
 

Note: Data are preliminary. Revised and final 2013 data are scheduled to be released in spring 2015. 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.
 

Table 3. Fatal occupational injuries by selected industry, New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, NY-NJ-PA, 2012-2013
Industry(1)20122013
NumberNumberPercent

Total

184152100

Private industry

16913891

Construction

363624

Construction of buildings

1264

Residential building construction

1043

Heavy and civil engineering construction

--53

Utility system construction

--32

Water and sewer line and related structures construction

--32

Other heavy and civil engineering construction

--11

Specialty trade contractors

242416

Foundation, structure, and building exterior contractors

1175

Poured concrete foundation and structure contractors

--11

Building equipment contractors

785

Electrical contractors

432

Plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning contractors

--32

Nonresidential plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning contractors

--11

Building finishing contractors

375

Painting and wall covering contractors

--11

Finish carpentry contractors

153

Other specialty trade contractors

3----

All other specialty trade contractors

--11

Manufacturing

575

Chemical manufacturing

--21

Basic chemical manufacturing

--11

Paint, coating, and adhesive manufacturing

--11

Paint and coating manufacturing

--11

Nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing

111

Cement and concrete product manufacturing

111

Fabricated metal product manufacturing

1----

Architectural and structural metals manufacturing

--11

Trade, transportation, and utilities

585134

Utilities

1----

Water, sewage and other systems

--11

Wholesale trade

743

Merchant wholesalers, durable goods

432

Miscellaneous durable goods merchant wholesalers

--11

Merchant wholesalers, nondurable goods

311

Grocery and related product wholesalers

311

Retail trade

251711

Electronics and appliance stores

--11

Food and beverage stores

1064

Grocery stores

953

Supermarkets and other grocery (except convenience) stores

743

Convenience stores

211

Specialty food stores

--11

Gasoline stations

--32

Gasoline stations with convenience stores

--32

Sporting goods, hobby, book, and music stores

111

Sporting goods, hobby, and musical instrument stores

--11

General merchandise stores

--21

Other general merchandise stores

--21

Transportation and warehousing

252818

Truck transportation

11107

General freight trucking

685

General freight trucking, local

311

General freight trucking, long-distance

375

Transit and ground passenger transportation

696

Taxi and limousine service

496

Taxi service

485

Support activities for transportation

343

Motor vehicle towing

--21

Couriers and messengers

421

Couriers

--21

Warehousing and storage

--11

General warehousing and storage

--11

Financial activities

7----

Real estate and rental and leasing

4----

Activities related to real estate

--11

Real estate property managers

--11

Professional and business services

27117

Administrative and waste services

23117

Administrative and support services

1885

Employment services

--11

Temporary help services

--11

Services to buildings and dwellings

1775

Landscaping services

1475

Waste management and remediation services

532

Educational and health services

732

Educational services

121

Technical and trade schools

--21

Flight training

--11

Leisure and hospitality

1496

Accommodation and food services

1185

Food services and drinking places

1075

Full-service restaurants

453

Drinking places (alcoholic beverages)

121

Other services, except public administration

91510

Repair and maintenance

--96

Automotive repair and maintenance

--96

Automotive mechanical and electrical repair and maintenance

--75

General automotive repair

--64

Automotive body, paint, interior, and glass repair

--11

Automotive body, paint, and interior repair and maintenance

--11

Personal and laundry services

343

Personal care services

--32

Government(2)

15149

Federal government

--32

State government

343

Local government

1275

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 to workers employed by governmental organizations regardless of industry.
 

Note: Data are preliminary. Revised and final 2013 data are scheduled to be released in spring 2015. 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.
 

Table 4. Fatal occupational injuries by selected occupation, New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, NY-NJ-PA, 2012-2013
Occupation(1)2012.02013
NumberNumberPercent

Total

184152100
 

Management occupations

1285

Other management occupations

664

Food service managers

211
 

Architecture and engineering occupations

--32
 

Life, physical, and social science occupations

--11

Life, physical, and social science technicians

--11
 

Community and social services occupations

--11

Religious workers

--11

Clergy

--11
 

Protective service occupations

585

Other protective service workers

253

Security guards and gaming surveillance officers

253

Security guards

253
 

Food preparation and serving related occupations

353

Supervisors of food preparation and serving workers

--53

First-line supervisors of food preparation and serving workers

--53

Chefs and head cooks

--32

First-line supervisors of food preparation and serving workers

--21
 

Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations

1585

Supervisors of building and grounds cleaning and maintenance workers

421

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

421

First-line supervisors of landscaping, lawn service, and groundskeeping workers

421

Grounds maintenance workers

853

Grounds maintenance workers

853

Landscaping and groundskeeping workers

443
 

Personal care and service occupations

243
 

Sales and related occupations

2296

Supervisors of sales workers

1464

First-line supervisors of sales workers

1464

First-line supervisors of retail sales workers

1264

Retail sales workers

532

Retail salespersons

--32
 

Office and administrative support occupations

864

Material recording, scheduling, dispatching, and distributing workers

653

Postal service workers

--32
 

Construction and extraction occupations

412516

Supervisors of construction and extraction workers

353

First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers

--53

Construction trades workers

322013

Carpenters

453

Construction laborers

1485

Electricians

432

Painters and paperhangers

--11

Painters, construction and maintenance

--11
 

Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations

101711

Vehicle and mobile equipment mechanics, installers, and repairers

--64

Automotive technicians and repairers

--53

Automotive body and related repairers

--11

Automotive service technicians and mechanics

--43

Other installation, maintenance, and repair occupations

785

Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers

--32

Miscellaneous installation, maintenance, and repair workers

------

Commercial divers

--11
 

Production occupations

--43

Metal workers and plastic workers

1----

Machine tool cutting setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic

--11

Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic

--11

Plant and system operators

--11

Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators

--11
 

Transportation and material moving occupations

495134

Supervisors, transportation and material moving workers

--11

First-line supervisors of helpers, laborers, and material movers, hand

--11

Air transportation workers

--11

Aircraft pilots and flight engineers

--11

Commercial pilots

--11

Motor vehicle operators

313221

Driver/sales workers and truck drivers

242315

Driver/sales workers

--11

Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers

161510

Light truck or delivery services drivers

675

Taxi drivers and chauffeurs

496

Other transportation workers

--43

Material moving workers

13128

Laborers and material movers, hand

853

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand

743

Refuse and recyclable material collectors

364

Footnotes:
(1) Occupation data are based on the Standard Occupational Classification system, 2010. Total may include occupations not shown.
 

Note: Data are preliminary. Revised and final 2013 data are scheduled to be released in spring 2015. 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.
 

Table 5. Fatal occupational injuries by worker characteristics, New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, NY-NJ-PA, 2012-2013
Worker characteristics20122013
NumberNumberPercent

Total

184152100

 

 

Employee status

 

Wage and salary(1)

14011475

Self-employed(2)

443825

 

 

Gender

 

Men

17214495

Women

1285

 

 

Age(3)

 

20 to 24 years

1685

25 to 34 years

321711

35 to 44 years

323221

45 to 54 years

393724

55 to 64 years

363724

65 years and over

272013

 

 

Race or ethnic origin(4)

 

White, non-Hispanic

1016643

Black or African-American, non-Hispanic

242919

Hispanic or Latino

434127

Asian, non-Hispanic

151510

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.
 

Note: Data are preliminary. Revised and final 2013 data are scheduled to be released in spring 2015. 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.
 

 

Last Modified Date: Thursday, February 12, 2015