According to a new report recently issued by the Research and Statistics Unit of the Bureau of Labor Standards, 19 Maine workers died from occupational or work-related injuries in 2013.
That year, the national occupational fatality rate was 3.4 per 100,000 workers. Maine’s rate of occupational fatalities was 3.2 per 100,000 workers. Research regarding 2013 fatal occupational injuries indicates a 1 percentage-point decrease in Maine’s occupational fatality rate, falling from 4.2 in 2012. All of the fatalities in 2013 were men.
In 2013, the most common cause of death in the workplace was transportation accidents (32 percent). These deaths include motorized accidents, collisions involving other people, animals or objects, and aircraft accidents. Tools, instruments and equipment were secondary causes involved in 3 of the 19 occupational fatalities.
The Research and Statistics Unit manages and analyzes data on workplace fatalities, injuries and illnesses and issues summary reports that help employers identify areas for improvements in safety and health protection. Their reports and data visualizations are located on the Department of Labor’s website at www.maine.gov/labor/labor_stats/research.html. The Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries report can be accessed at http://www.maine.gov/labor/labor_stats/publications/cfoi/index.html.
Businesses interested in confidential and no-charge assistance in reducing workplace injuries should visit the SafetyWorks! website at http://www.safetyworksmaine.com.
