Missionaries of the Sacred

In 2008, there were 5,214 fatal work injuries in the United States, a decrease from 5,657 in 2007 and the lowest recorded since 1992, when the fatality census first began. However, although fatalities over­all decreased, workplace suicides actually increased to 263 in 2008, the highest recorded since 1992.

In general, victims of fatal work injuries are far more likely to be men than women; men account for 57% of hours worked but for 93% of fatal work injuries. However, women who die from work-related injuries are more likely to be victims of homicides and highway incidents than men. A quarter of all women who died as a result of fatal work injuries in 2008 were victims of homicide, compared to 9% of men. Although the number of workplace homicides each year has decreased by nearly 50% since 1992, homicide still accounts for 10% of workplace fatalities each year.