Fatal work injuries totaled 227 in 2011 for Florida, an increase of 2 fatalities from 2010, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Regional Commissioner Janet S. Rankin noted that while the 2011 count was preliminary, this year’s fatality count was the second lowest annual total for the state since the Bureau began tracking workplace fatalities in 1992. Over the 20-year history of the series, fatal occupational injuries in the state have ranged from a high of 422 in 2004 to last year’s low of 225. Over the last three years, the number of fatalities has generally trended downward, declining by 64 since 2008. (See chart 1.)

Nationwide, a preliminary total of 4,609 fatal work injuries were recorded in 2011, down from a final count of 4,690 fatal work injuries recorded in 2010, according to results from the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) program. Final 2011 CFOI data will be released in spring 2013.

Changes to the OIICS Structure Information in this release incorporates a major revision in the Occupational Injury and Illness Classification System (OIICS), which is used to describe the characteristics of fatal work injuries. Because of the extensive revisions, data for the OIICS case characteristics for reference year 2011 represent a break in series with data for prior years. More information on OIICS can be found at www.bls.gov/iif/oshoiics.htm.

Of the 227 fatal work injuries reported in Florida in 2011, 90 resulted from transportation incidents, 44 from violence and other injuries by persons or animals, and 36 from falls, slips, and trips; together these three major categories accounted for 75 percent of all fatal work injuries. Other major event categories reported less than 30 deaths. (See table 1.) Within transportation incidents, roadway incidents were the most frequent type of workplace fatality with 41 deaths; in fact, it accounted for 18 percent of all on-the-job fatalities in the state. The second largest event in transportation incidents was pedestrian vehicular incidents, accounting for 21 fatalities. In the violence and other injuries by persons or animals category, 41 deaths occurred from intentional injury by another person.

In the United States, transportation incidents were also the most frequent fatal workplace event in 2011, accounting for 41 percent of fatal work injuries. Florida’s 40-percent share of on-the-job fatalities due to this event was similar to the nationwide share. (See chart 2.) Violence and other injuries was the second most frequent type event of work-related fatalities both nationally (17 percent) and in Florida (19 percent). Contact with objects or equipment (15 percent) and falls, slips, and trips (14 percent) were the third and fourth most frequent events, respectively, in the nation.

Additional key characteristics:

• The construction industry sector had the highest number of workplace fatalities with 41, little changed over the year. (See table 2.) Falls, slips, and trips accounted for 15 of the worker deaths, while 12 fatalities were due to transportation incidents in this sector.
• The transportation and warehousing industry had the second highest number of workplace fatalities with 36, up 3 from the previous year. Transportation incidents accounted for 24 worker deaths in this sector.
• Transportation and material moving occupations had the highest number of fatal work injuries with 64. (See table 3.) Nearly 30 percent of these fatalities were heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers (18). Workers in construction and extraction occupations had the next highest fatality count at 35.
• Men accounted for 212, or 93 percent, of the work-related fatalities in the state. (See table 4.) Transportation incidents made up 40 percent of these fatalities.
• In Florida, 59 percent of those who died from a workplace injury were white non-Hispanics, while Hispanics accounted for 23 percent. Nationwide, these groups accounted for 71 and 16 percent of work-related deaths, respectively.
• Workers 25-54 years old—the prime working age group—accounted for 149, or 66 percent, of the state’s work-related fatalities in 2011. Nationally, workers in this group accounted for 60 percent of on-the-job fatalities.
• Of the 227 workers that suffered fatal work injuries in Florida, 78 percent worked for wages and salaries; the remaining were self-employed. The most frequent fatal event for both groups was transportation incidents.

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, part of the BLS occupational safety and health statistics program, compiles a count of all fatal work injuries occurring in the United States during the calendar year. The program uses diverse state, federal, and independent data sources to identify, verify, and describe fatal work injuries. This assures 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 here: http://www.bls.gov/opub/hom/homch9_a1.htm. The technical information and definitions for the CFOI Program are in Chapter 9, Part III of the BLS Handbook of Methods.

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 Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.

Table 1. Fatal occupational injuries by event or exposure, Florida, 2011p

Event or exposure (1)	Number	Percent
Total	227	100
Violence and other injuries by persons or animals	44	19
Intentional injury by person	41	18
Intentional injury by other person	34	15
Shooting by other person--intentional	29	13
Stabbing, cutting, slashing, piercing	3	1
Self-inflicted injury--intentional	7	3
Hanging, strangulation, asphyxiation--intentional self-harm	3	1
Jumping from building or other structure--intentional self-harm	3	1
Injury by person--unintentional or intent unknown	3	1
Transportation incidents	90	40
Aircraft incidents	13	6
Aircraft crash during takeoff or landing	6	3
Other in-flight crash	7	3
Other in-flight crash into structure, object, or ground	5	2
Pedestrian vehicular incident	21	9
Pedestrian struck by vehicle in work zone	5	2
Pedestrian struck by forward-moving vehicle in work zone	5	2
Pedestrian struck by vehicle on side of road	7	3
Pedestrian struck by forward-moving vehicle on side of road	6	3
Pedestrian struck by vehicle in nonroadway area	6	3
Pedestrian struck by vehicle backing up in nonroadway area	5	2
Water vehicle incidents	8	4
Roadway incidents involving motorized land vehicle	41	18
Roadway collision with other vehicle	22	10
Roadway collision--moving in same direction	4	2
Roadway collision--moving in opposite directions, oncoming	3	1
Roadway collision--moving perpendicularly	10	4
Roadway collision--moving and standing vehicle in roadway	5	2
Roadway collision with object other than vehicle	9	4
Vehicle struck object or animal on side of roadway	9	4
Roadway noncollision incident	10	4
Jack-knifed or overturned, roadway	7	3
Nonroadway incident involving motorized land vehicles	4	2
Nonroadway noncollision incident	3	1
Fires and Explosions	4	2
Falls, slips, trips	36	16
Falls on same level	4	2
Falls to lower level	28	12
Fall from collapsing structure or equipment	3	1
Other fall to lower level	24	11
Other fall to lower level less than 6 feet	5	2
Other fall to lower level 11 to 15 feet	4	2
Other fall to lower level more than 30 feet	8	4
Exposure to harmful substances or environments	27	12
Exposure to electricity	17	7
Direct exposure to electricity	4	2
Direct exposure to electricity, greater than 220 volts	3	1
Indirect exposure to electricity	13	6
Indirect exposure to electricity, greater than 220 volts	11	5
Exposure to temperature extremes	4	2
Exposure to environmental heat	4	2
Exposure to other harmful substances	3	1
Exposure to oxygen deficiency, n.e.c.	3	1
Contact with objects and equipment	26	11
Struck by object or equipment	17	7
Struck by powered vehicle--nontransport	9	4
Struck by other falling powered vehicle	4	2
Struck by falling object or equipment--other than powered vehicle	6	3
Struck by object falling from vehicle or machinery--other than vehicle part	4	2
Struck, caught, or crushed in collapsing structure, equipment, or material	7	3
Struck, caught, or crushed in other collapsing structure or equipment	5	2
Footnotes: (1) Based on the BLS Occupational Injury and Illness Classification System (OIICS) 2.01 implemented for 2011 data forward.
p Data are preliminary. Revised and final 2011 data are scheduled to be released in Spring 2013. NOTE: 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. SOURCE: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, in cooperation with State, New York City, District of Columbia, and Federal agencies, Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries.

Table 2. Fatal occupational injuries by industry, Florida, 2010-2011

Industry (1)	2010	2011p
	Number	Number	Percent
Total	225	227	100
Private industry	204	205	90
Natural resources and mining	13	13	6
Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting	12	13	6
Crop production	6	8	4
Greenhouse, nursery, and floriculture production	--	3	1
Nursery and floriculture production	--	3	1
Nursery and tree production	--	3	1
Construction	40	41	18
Construction	40	41	18
Construction of buildings	10	6	3
Residential building construction	--	3	1
Nonresidential building construction	7	3	1
Commercial and institutional building construction	4	3	1
Heavy and civil engineering construction	8	13	6
Utility system construction	3	5	2
Water and sewer line and related structures construction	--	3	1
Highway, street, and bridge construction	4	6	3
Specialty trade contractors	21	21	9
Foundation, structure, and building exterior contractors	11	7	3
Roofing contractors	4	3	1
Building equipment contractors	6	3	1
Building finishing contractors	--	4	2
Other specialty trade contractors	--	7	3
Site preparation contractors	--	7	3
Nonresidential site preparation contractors	--	3	1
Manufacturing	11	4	2
Trade, transportation, and utilities	58	65	29
Wholesale trade	5	8	4
Merchant wholesalers, durable goods	--	6	3
Retail trade	19	20	9
Motor vehicle and parts dealers	--	3	1
Food and beverage stores	6	12	5
Grocery stores	5	8	4
Supermarkets and other grocery (except convenience) stores	3	6	3
Transportation and warehousing	33	36	16
Air transportation	--	3	1
Nonscheduled air transportation	--	3	1
Truck transportation	17	13	6
General freight trucking	13	9	4
General freight trucking, long-distance	11	7	3
General freight trucking, long-distance, truckload	9	6	3
Specialized freight trucking	--	4	2
Transit and ground passenger transportation	5	9	4
Taxi and limousine service	4	8	4
Taxi service	4	7	3
Support activities for transportation	3	8	4
Support activities for water transportation	--	4	2
Support activities for road transportation	--	4	2
Real estate and rental and leasing	8	3	1
Professional and business services	39	39	17
Professional and technical services	6	5	2
Professional, scientific, and technical services	6	5	2
Architectural, engineering, and related services	--	3	1
Administrative and waste services	33	34	15
Administrative and support services	27	32	14
Employment services	7	10	4
Temporary help services	--	3	1
Professional employer organizations	--	7	3
Investigation and security services	6	6	3
Investigation, guard, and armored car services	5	4	2
Security guards and patrol services	3	3	1
Services to buildings and dwellings	12	12	5
Landscaping services	10	12	5
Educational and health services	7	11	5
Educational services	--	6	3
Technical and trade schools	--	5	2
Flight training	--	5	2
Health care and social assistance	5	5	2
Ambulatory health care services	--	3	1
Medical and diagnostic laboratories	--	3	1
Medical laboratories	--	3	1
Leisure and hospitality	18	16	7
Arts, entertainment, and recreation	7	9	4
Performing arts, spectator sports, and related industries	--	4	2
Spectator sports	--	3	1
Amusement, gambling, and recreation industries	5	5	2
Amusement parks and arcades	--	4	2
Amusement and theme parks	--	4	2
Accommodation and food services	11	7	3
Food services and drinking places	9	7	3
Full-service restaurants	5	3	1
Limited-service eating places	--	3	1
Limited-service restaurants	--	3	1
Other services, except public administration	9	10	4
Repair and maintenance	3	7	3
Automotive repair and maintenance	--	5	2
Automotive mechanical and electrical repair and maintenance	--	3	1
General automotive repair	--	3	1
Government (2)	21	22	10
Local government (3)	13	18	8
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. Includes all fatal occupational injuries meeting this ownership criterion across all specified years, regardless of industry classification system. (3) Includes all fatal occupational injuries meeting this ownership criterion across all specified years, regardless of industry classification system.
p Data are preliminary. Revised and final 2011 data are scheduled to be released in Spring 2013. NOTE: 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. SOURCE: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, in cooperation with State, New York City, District of Columbia, and Federal agencies, Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries

Table 3. Fatal occupational injuries by occupation, Florida, 2010-2011

Occupation (1)	2010	2011p
	Number	Number	Percent
Total	225	227	100
Management occupations	13	6	3
Other management occupations	7	4	2
Protective service occupations	15	21	9
Law enforcement workers	8	10	4
Police officers	8	8	4
Police and sheriff's patrol officers	8	8	4
Other protective service workers	6	7	3
Security guards and gaming surveillance officers	6	6	3
Security guards	6	6	3
Food preparation and serving related occupations	6	4	2
Food and beverage serving workers	--	3	1
Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations	18	19	8
Building cleaning and pest control workers	--	4	2
Building cleaning workers	--	4	2
Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners	--	4	2
Landscaping and groundskeeping workers	9	7	3
Tree trimmers and pruners	4	7	3
Grounds maintenance workers	13	14	6
Personal care and service occupations	6	3	1
Sales and related occupations	22	16	7
Supervisors of sales workers	7	8	4
First-line supervisors of sales workers	7	8	4
First-line supervisors of retail sales workers	7	6	3
Retail sales workers	9	6	3
Cashiers	6	5	2
Office and administrative support occupations	6	5	2
Farming, fishing, and forestry occupations	11	12	5
Agricultural workers	5	10	4
Miscellaneous agricultural workers	5	10	4
Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse	5	4	2
Farmworkers, farm, ranch, and aquacultural animals	--	3	1
Construction and extraction occupations	35	35	15
Supervisors of construction and extraction workers	10	4	2
First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers	10	4	2
Construction trades workers	24	23	10
Construction laborers	3	11	5
Other construction and related workers	--	4	2
Highway maintenance workers	--	3	1
Extraction workers	10	3	1
Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations	16	25	11
Electrical and electronic equipment mechanics, installers, and repairers	--	3	1
Vehicle and mobile equipment mechanics, installers, and repairers	4	8	4
Automotive technicians and repairers	--	5	2
Automotive service technicians and mechanics	--	5	2
Other installation, maintenance, and repair occupations	9	13	6
Industrial machinery installation, repair, and maintenance workers	6	4	2
Maintenance workers, machinery	--	3	1
Miscellaneous installation, maintenance, and repair workers	--	3	1
Production occupations	10	7	3
Metal workers and plastic workers	--	5	2
Welding, soldering, and brazing workers	--	4	2
Transportation and material moving occupations	54	64	28
Air transportation workers	4	11	5
Aircraft pilots and flight engineers	4	11	5
Commercial pilots	4	11	5
Motor vehicle operators	41	34	15
Driver/sales workers and truck drivers	32	24	11
Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers	26	18	8
Light truck or delivery services drivers	5	4	2
Taxi drivers and chauffeurs	5	9	4
Material moving workers	4	16	7
Dredge, excavating, and loading machine operators	--	3	1
Excavating and loading machine and dragline operators	--	3	1
Industrial truck and tractor operators	--	3	1
Laborers and material movers, hand	--	8	4
Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand	--	6	3
Footnotes: (1) Occupation data for 2010 are based on the Standard Occupational Classification system, 2000. Occupation data for 2011 are based on the Standard Occupational Classification system, 2010. Total may include occupations not shown.
p Data are preliminary. Revised and final 2011 data are scheduled to be released in Spring 2013. NOTE: 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. SOURCE: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, in cooperation with State, New York City, District of Columbia, and Federal agencies, Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries

Table 4. Fatal occupational injuries by worker characteristics, Florida, 2010-2011

Worker characteristics	2010	2011p
	Number	Number	Percent
Total	225	227	100
Employee status
Wage and salary workers (1)	195	177	78
Self-employed (2)	30	50	22
Gender
Men	198	212	93
Women	27	15	7
Age (3)
18 to 19 years	--	3	1
20 to 24 years	9	12	5
25 to 34 years	37	33	15
35 to 44 years	44	44	19
45 to 54 years	57	72	32
55 to 64 years	58	40	18
65 years and over	18	23	10
Race or ethnic origin (4)
White, non-Hispanic	155	133	59
Black or African-American, non-Hispanic	24	32	14
Hispanic or Latino	38	53	23
Asian, non-Hispanic	4	6	3
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.
p Data are preliminary. Revised and final 2011 data are scheduled to be released in Spring 2013. NOTE: 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. SOURCE: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, in cooperation with State, New York City, District of Columbia, and Federal agencies, Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries

 

Last Modified Date: December 4, 2012