MO fatal workplace injuries down 25% in 2010

The Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations has found a preliminary total of 107 fatal Missouri workplace injuries recorded in 2010, down roughly 25 percent from 142 in 2009, according to a news release.

“The department has been working hard to promote the free workplace safety programs we offer to employers that save lives,” Department Director Larry Rebman said in the release. “This drop in fatalities shows that workplaces are embracing safety and doing more to protect workers.”

The agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting sector had the most occupational fatalities in 2010 with 25, with crop production accounting for 23 of the injuries. The second-highest sector was construction, with 12 occupational fatalities, eight of which occurred in the field of special trade contractors, the release said.

Data is collected by the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations' Research and Analysis Sector and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the U.S. Department of Labor. Data is analyzed by the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, developed by the BLS and other state agencies in 1992.

Other findings:

• Transportation accidents were the leading cause of fatalities during the year, resulting in 60 of the deaths.
• Of the 107 total deaths, men accounted for 100 of them.
• Workers between the ages of 45 and 54 accounted for 25 of the fatalities, while those aged 35 to 44 made up 23 of the deaths.
• Wage and salary workers had the most fatalities, with 71.

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