Bureau of Labor Statistics Releases 2010 Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries Late August

By Grant Law Office on August 11, 2011

According to the Occupational Health and Safety Administration’s (OSHA) online magazine, Occupational Health & Safety, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is set to release its 2010 Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) later this month, on August 25. Previous statistics have shown a trend of decreasing fatalities in connection to the economic recession, especially in construction. Many are curious as to whether this trend continued through 2010.

According to previous CFOI reports, occupational fatalities had dropped dramatically in 2009 from those in 2008 as the result of the weakened economy. In 2009, there were about 4,340 worker fatalities, which was a 17 percent drop from the final 5,214 in 2008. The number of fatalities in 2009 was the lowest preliminary annual count in the CFOI’s history. The greatest decline in fatalities was in construction.

The construction industry accounted for the most worker fatalities when compared to other occupational industries in 2009, but the economic recession resulted in a dramatic drop in total hours worked, which consequently resulted in a decrease in fatal construction injuries. The total number of construction fatalities decreased 16 percent in 2009, after an even more drastic decline of 19 percent in 2008. Private-sector construction worker fatalities also declined.

Being one of the most hazardous and complex occupational industries, construction traditionally accounts for the highest number of fatal injuries. Construction workers do their jobs in a number of dangerous situations including:

• in trenches;
• on scaffolds;
• using complex machinery;
• using dangerous tools;
• near electric currents; and
• around toxic chemicals or other substances.

Construction workers face the risk of injury or death every day on the job, but this risk is multiplied when workers are not given the proper training, when workers must use defective equipment, or when the appropriate safety measures are not taken.

If you have sustained a construction accident injury as the result of negligence or carelessness on the part of a property owner, construction equipment manufacturer, contractor, sub-contractor or even another employee, the experienced Atlanta construction accident lawyers at The Law Offices of Wayne Grant, P.C., can help you pursue compensation for your medical bills, pain and suffering, loss of wages and work, and other damages. Call us today to learn more about your legal rights at 404-995-3955.