Injury Prevention

Study Identifies Leading Causes of Death

Motor vehicle crashes account for nearly one-fourth of all work-related deaths in the U.S., according to research from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Other leading causes are homicides, machine-related incidents, falls, electrocutions and being struck by falling objects.

The research also revealed that, during the study period from 1980 to 1995, the fatality rate for males was 8.8 per 100,00 full-time workers, which was 11 times higher than the rate for females. By age group, workers 65 years and older had the highest fatality rate, while workers in the 25-34 year old age group suffered the largest number of fatal injuries.

In Ohio, the highest number of work-related fatalities, 228, occurred in 1980. The fewest deaths, 94, occurred in 1992. There were 152 deaths in 1995, the last year covered by the study. By industry, the mining industry had the highest rate of fatal injuries suffered by Ohio workers, followed by trucking/warehouse/storage, agriculture, construction, lumber and wood production, and electric utilities.

Study results were published in October 2001 and are available online at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/NTOF2000/2001129menu.html.