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News Release Information

17-295-ATL
Friday, March 03, 2017

Contacts Technical information: Media contact:
  • (404) 893-4220

Fatal Occupational Injuries in North Carolina – 2015

Fatal work injuries totaled 150 in 2015 for North Carolina, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Regional Commissioner Janet S. Rankin noted that the number of work-related fatalities in North Carolina was up from 137 in the previous year. Fatal occupational injuries in the state have ranged from a high of 234 in 2000 to a low of 109 in 2013. (See chart 1.)

Nationwide, a total of 4,836 fatal work injuries were recorded in 2015, a slight increase from the 4,821 fatal injuries in 2014, according to the results from the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) program.

Type of incident

In North Carolina, transportation incidents resulted in 51 fatal work injuries and contact with objects and equipment accounted for 33 fatalities. These two major categories accounted for 56 percent of all workplace fatalities in the state. (See table 1.) The number of worker deaths from transportation incidents were little changed over the year while worker fatalities due to contact with objects and equipment were up 15 from the prior year.

Falls, slips, or trips was the third-most frequent fatal work event with 26 fatalities, slightly higher than the previous year. Violence and other injuries by persons or animals resulted in 24 work-related deaths, up from 16 in 2014.

Nationally, transportation incidents were the most frequent fatal workplace event in 2015, accounting for approximately 42 percent of fatal work injuries. (See chart 2.) Falls, slips, or trips was the second-most frequent type of event (17 percent), followed by contact with objects and equipment (15 percent) and other injuries by persons or animals (15 percent).

Industry

The private construction industry sector had the largest number of fatalities in North Carolina with 30, down from 35 in the previous year. (See table 2.) Falls, slips, or trips was the most frequent fatal event in the construction sector with 11 worker deaths, followed by transportation incidents with 9 fatalities. Over half of those fatally injured in this sector worked in specialty trade contracting.

The private professional and business services sector had 22 workplace fatalities, more than double the count in 2014. Landscaping services accounted for 12, or 55 percent, of the fatal injuries in this industry.

Occupation

Transportation and material moving occupations and construction and extraction occupations had the highest number of workplace fatalities with 35 and 28, respectively. (See table 3.) The majority of the fatalities within the transportation and material moving group were heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers (21). Construction trades workers accounted for 18 of the 28 fatalities among construction and extraction workers.

Additional highlights
  • Men accounted for 95 percent of the work-related fatalities in North Carolina, compared to the 93-percent national share. (See table 4.) Transportation incidents made up 35 percent of the fatalities for men in North Carolina.
  • White non-hispanics accounted for 67 percent of those who died from a workplace injury, matching the national share.
  • Workers 25-54 years old accounted for 61 percent of the state’s work-related fatalities in 2015, compared to 57 percent of on-the-job fatalities nationally.
  • Of the 150 fatal work injuries in North Carolina, 75 percent worked for wages and salaries; the remainder were self-employed. The most frequent fatal event for wage and salary workers was transportation incidents; for self-employed workers—transportation incidents and contact with objects and equipment.
Change in the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) News Release Schedule

Beginning with the 2015 reference year, CFOI will publish a single, annual release with no revisions. A similar schedule will be followed in subsequent years. Preliminary releases, which normally appeared in August or September in past years, will no longer be produced.


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 the 2015 data, over 21,400 unique source documents were reviewed as part of the data collection process. For technical information and definitions for CFOI, please go to the BLS Handbook of Methods on the BLS web site at www.bls.gov/opub/hom/pdf/homch9.pdf.

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. BLS thanks the North Carolina Department of 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 sensory impaired individuals upon request. Voice phone: (202) 691-5200; Federal Relay Service: (800) 877-8339.

Table 1. Fatal occupational injuries by event or exposure, North Carolina, 2014–15
Event or exposure (1)20142015
NumberNumberPercent

Total

137150100

Violence and other injuries by persons or animals

162416

Intentional injury by person

152013

Homicides (Intentional injury by other person)

9149

Shooting by other person--intentional

6117

Strangulation by other person

--11

Suicides (Self-inflicted injury--intentional)

664

Shooting--intentional self-harm

--43

Jumping from building or other structure--intentional self-harm

--11

Animal and insect related incidents

--32

Bites and stings

--32

Stings and venomous bites

--32

Transportation incidents

555134

Pedestrian vehicular incident

1253

Water vehicle incidents

--53

Capsized or sinking water vehicle

--32

Roadway incidents involving motorized land vehicle

313523

Roadway collision with other vehicle

81913

Roadway collision--moving in same direction

--53

Roadway collision--moving in opposite directions, oncoming

364

Roadway collision--moving perpendicularly

--64

Roadway collision--moving and standing vehicle on side of roadway

--11

Roadway collision with object other than vehicle

2196

Vehicle struck object or animal on side of roadway

2185

Roadway noncollision incident

--75

Jack-knifed or overturned, roadway

--64

Fall or jump from and struck by same vehicle in normal operation, roadway

--11

Nonroadway incident involving motorized land vehicles

943

Nonroadway collision with other vehicle

--11

Collision between a moving and standing vehicle, nonroadway

--11

Nonroadway noncollision incident

632

Fires and explosions

632

Falls, slips, trips

252617

Falls on same level

353

Falls to lower level

222114

Other fall to lower level

121611

Other fall to lower level 11 to 15 feet

432

Exposure to harmful substances or environments

17139

Exposure to electricity

443

Direct exposure to electricity

--11

Direct exposure to electricity, greater than 220 volts

--11

Exposure to temperature extremes

--32

Exposure to environmental heat

--32

Exposure to other harmful substances

1032

Contact with objects and equipment

183322

Struck by object or equipment

102617

Struck by powered vehicle--nontransport

4117

Struck or run over by rolling powered vehicle

--64

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

5139

Struck by object falling from vehicle or machinery--other than vehicle part

--64

Caught in or compressed by equipment or objects

453

Caught in running equipment or machinery

343

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

411

Engulfment in other collapsing material

--11

Overexertion and bodily reaction

------

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. Percentages may not add to totals because of rounding. CFOI fatality counts exclude illness-related deaths unless precipitated by an injury event. Dashes indicate no data reported or data that do not meet publication guidelines.
 

 

Table 2. Fatal occupational injuries by industry, North Carolina, 2014–15
Industry (1)20142015
NumberNumberPercent

Total

137150100

Private industry

11613288

Natural resources and mining

162013

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

142013

Crop production

4117

Forestry and logging

332

Logging

332

Fishing, hunting and trapping

--53

Fishing

--53

Construction

353020

Construction of buildings

4107

Residential building construction

--75

New single-family housing construction (except for-sale builders)

--43

Nonresidential building construction

232

Commercial and institutional building construction

232

Heavy and civil engineering construction

432

Utility system construction

--11

Power and communication line and related structures construction

--11

Specialty trade contractors

261711

Foundation, structure, and building exterior contractors

1385

Poured concrete foundation and structure contractors

311

Siding contractors

111

Building equipment contractors

543

Plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning contractors

321

Building finishing contractors

--32

Drywall and insulation contractors

--32

Other specialty trade contractors

621

Site preparation contractors

521

Manufacturing

111510

Wood product manufacturing

132

Chemical manufacturing

--11

Paint, coating, and adhesive manufacturing

--11

Nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing

--32

Fabricated metal product manufacturing

--43

Trade, transportation, and utilities

312819

Wholesale trade

432

Merchant wholesalers, nondurable goods

111

Grocery and related product wholesalers

--11

Retail trade

896

Food and beverage stores

--11

Grocery stores

--11

Health and personal care stores

--11

Gasoline stations

--21

General merchandise stores

--21

Department stores

--11

Nonstore retailers

--11

Transportation and warehousing

191611

Truck transportation

11128

General freight trucking

1085

General freight trucking, local

--32

General freight trucking, long-distance

853

Specialized freight trucking

--43

Information

1----

Financial activities

321

Finance and insurance

111

Credit intermediation and related activities

111

Real estate and rental and leasing

211

Real estate

--11

Professional and business services

92215

Administrative and waste services

92013

Administrative and support services

81711

Business support services

--11

Services to buildings and dwellings

3149

Exterminating and pest control services

--11

Landscaping services

--128

Waste management and remediation services

132

Waste collection

--21

Educational and health services

411

Educational services

--11

Leisure and hospitality

543

Accommodation and food services

343

Accommodation

--11

Food services and drinking places

132

Drinking places (alcoholic beverages)

--11

Restaurants and other eating places

--21

Other services, except public administration

185

Repair and maintenance

153

Automotive repair and maintenance

143

Personal and laundry services

--21

Personal care services

--21

Religious, grantmaking, civic, professional, and similar organizations

--11

Government (2)

211812

Federal government

1075

State government

--43

Local government

975

Footnotes:
(1) Industry data are based on the North American Industry Classification System, 2012.
(2) Includes fatal injuries to workers employed by governmental organizations regardless of industry.
 

NOTE: Data for all years are final. 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. Dashes indicate no data reported or data that do not meet publication criteria.
 

 

Table 3. Fatal occupational injuries by occupation, North Carolina, 2014–15
Occupation (1)20142015
NumberNumberPercent

Total

137150100

Management occupations

8107

Top executives

--11

Chief executives

--11

Other management occupations

796

Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers

564

Lodging managers

--11

Property, real estate, and community association managers

--11

Miscellaneous managers

--11

Business and financial operations occupations

------

Computer and mathematical occupations

------

Architecture and engineering occupations

--11

Architects, surveyors, and cartographers

--11

Surveyors, cartographers, and photogrammetrists

--11

Life, physical, and social science occupations

------

Community and social services occupations

--11

Religious workers

--11

Clergy

--11

Legal occupations

------

Education, training, and library occupations

------

Arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media occupations

121

Art and design workers

111

Designers

--11

Entertainers and performers, sports and related workers

--11

Athletes, coaches, umpires, and related workers

--11

Healthcare practitioners and technical occupations

111

Health technologists and technicians

111

Emergency medical technicians and paramedics

--11

Healthcare support occupations

------

Protective service occupations

853

Fire fighting and prevention workers

411

Firefighters

311

Law enforcement workers

421

Police officers

421

Food preparation and serving related occupations

------

Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations

7139

Grounds maintenance workers

5107

Landscaping and groundskeeping workers

--32

Tree trimmers and pruners

375

Personal care and service occupations

121

Personal appearance workers

--21

Barbers, hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists

--21

Barbers

--11

Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists

--11

Sales and related occupations

875

Supervisors of sales workers

432

First-line supervisors of sales workers

432

Retail sales workers

332

Cashiers

321

Retail salespersons

--11

Office and administrative support occupations

--32

Financial clerks

--11

Bill and account collectors

--11

Material recording, scheduling, dispatching, and distributing workers

--21

Postal service workers

--11

Stock clerks and order fillers

--11

Farming, fishing, and forestry occupations

9139

Agricultural workers

664

Agricultural inspectors

--11

Graders and sorters, agricultural products

--11

Miscellaneous agricultural workers

643

Fishing and hunting workers

--53

Fishers and related fishing workers

--53

Construction and extraction occupations

312819

Supervisors of construction and extraction workers

--75

First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers

--75

Construction trades workers

261812

Construction laborers

753

Construction equipment operators

--21

Electricians

--11

Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations

12139

Vehicle and mobile equipment mechanics, installers, and repairers

--53

Automotive technicians and repairers

--32

Small engine mechanics

--11

Other installation, maintenance, and repair occupations

743

Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers

--11

Line installers and repairers

--32

Production occupations

6117

Supervisors of production workers

--11

First-line supervisors of production and operating workers

--11

Metal workers and plastic workers

--43

Other production occupations

132

Transportation and material moving occupations

333523

Motor vehicle operators

242919

Driver/sales workers and truck drivers

192819

Driver/sales workers

--32

Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers

182114

Light truck or delivery services drivers

143

Taxi drivers and chauffeurs

--11

Other transportation workers

--11

Transportation inspectors

--11

Material moving workers

753

Military specific occupations (2)

953

Footnotes:
(1) Occupation data are based on the Standard Occupational Classification system, 2010.
(2) Includes fatal injuries to persons identified as resident armed forces regardless of individual occupation listed.
 

NOTE: Data for all years are final. 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. Dashes indicate no data reported or data that do not meet publication criteria.
 

 

Table 4. Fatal occupational injuries by worker characteristics, North Carolina, 2014–15
Worker characteristics20142015
NumberNumberPercent

Total

137150100

Employee status

 

Wage and salary workers (1)

11211275

Self-employed (2)

253825

Gender

 

Men

13014295

Women

785

Age (3)

 

18 to 19 years

--32

20 to 24 years

1443

25 to 34 years

172215

35 to 44 years

253523

45 to 54 years

393523

55 to 64 years

283322

65 years and over

141711

Race or ethnic origin (4)

 

White, non-Hispanic

8510167

Black or African-American, non-Hispanic

281711

Hispanic or Latino

191711

American Indian or Alaskan Native, non-Hispanic

--64

Asian, non-Hispanic

375

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 for all years are final. 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. Dashes indicate no data reported or data that do not meet publication criteria.
 

 

Last Modified Date: Friday, March 03, 2017