In 2002 Texas recorded the lowest number of occupational fatalities since data collection began in 1990, according to the Texas Workers’ Compensation Commission. A total of 417 fatal occupational injuries occurred, a 22.2 percent decrease from 2001. Fatalities nationwide decreased by 6.6 percent. This is the second year in a row that occupational fatalities have decreased in Texas, after an all-time high in the year 2000 of 572 fatalities. Significant reductions were found in almost all categories, including high-risk industries and occupations. The TWCC compiles detailed information on all work-related fatalities occurring in Texas for the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI), a program jointly administered with the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This census is designed to produce accurate annual counts of private and public sector fatal workplace injuries using diverse sources. The fatality total represents the raw number of fatalities resulting from fatal injuries. The construction industry recorded 113 fatalities, which was the highest number for any industry in 2002. This total amount reflected a decrease of seven percent from the 2001 construction total. The most significant decrease in the number of fatalities from the year 2001 occurred in the mining industry (38 percent), followed by the manufacturing industry, which recorded a 36 percent decrease. Transportation incidents continued to be the leading cause of occupational fatalities, resulting in 37 percent of the total. The occupations with the largest number of on-the-job fatalities in 2002 were truck drivers (16 percent), construction laborers (8 percent), and groundskeepers and gardeners (4 percent). Men accounted for 93 percent of the recorded cases-with transportation incidents being the leading cause among men (36 percent) followed by falls (18 percent). Additional information on workplace fatalities may be obtained by contacting the commission at (512) 804-4200 or be e-mail at injury.analysis@twcc.state.tx.us.
Topics Texas
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