On-the-job fatalities on the rise in Texas
Posted: 08-20-10Category:
Last year 480 workers in Texas died in work related fatalities, a nearly four percent increase from 2008 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, which tallies the number of on-the-job deaths each year. The Lone Star State's four percent increase in work related deaths was in sharp contrast with the number of on-the-job fatalities nationwide, which fell to a nearly two decade low with a 17% decrease in on-the-job deaths.
The 480 Texas workplace deaths in 2009 were up from 463 on-the-job deaths in Texas in 2008. Of the 480 workplace fatalities, 163 Texas workers died in transportation related deaths, 93 were killed by assaults or violent acts, 82 Texas workers died in falls, 65 were killed from deadly contact with objects and equipment, 61 Texans died from exposure to harmful substances or environments, 15 Texas workers died in fires or explosions, and one Texas worker's death fell into the category of "other" or miscellaneous.
Texas continues to rank as one of the most dangerous states when it comes to on-the-job deaths.