A staggering 376 Californians died on the job in 2016, according to the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR), down slightly from the 388 deaths in 2015.
“Even one workplace fatality is too many, and our thoughts are with the families of those that died on the job last year,” said Christine Baker, DIR Director, in a prepared statement. “The fatality data released today is a reminder that we must all continue our efforts to reduce workplace safety and health hazards in order to prevent worker deaths.”
A review of the past 12 years indicates that workplace fatalities in California remain below the average rate of fatalities prior to 2008, when the last recession began, and remained flat over the past two years at 2.2 deaths per 100,000 workers. On the national level, the rate of fatalities jumped from 3.4 to 3.6 per 100,000 workers.
There were 376 fatal injuries on the job in California in 2016, compared to 388 in 2015, 344 in 2014, and 396 in 2013. Data comes from the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI), which is conducted annually in conjunction with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Figures for 2016 are the latest numbers available.
Key findings from the latest census in California include:
- One in five (20 percent) of all California workplace deaths identified in 2016 were attributed to violence and other injuries by persons or animals. The incidence of workplace homicides in 2016 accounts for 12 percent of all workplace deaths in the state.
- Nearly two of every five (38 percent) California workplace deaths identified in 2016 occurred in transportation incidents.
- One in six (17 percent) of all California workplace deaths identified in 2016 were attributed to trips, slips and falls; with 90 percent of those deaths involving falls to a lower level.
- Nearly two of every five (39 percent) California workplace deaths in 2016 were Latinos. This fatality rate has fluctuated over the past ten years from 37 percent to 49 percent.
The percentage of Latino deaths in the workplace continues to be an area the department is tracking closely. DIR over the past eight years has increased workplace safety outreach and education to Spanish-speaking workers, with a focus on high-hazard work.
DIR conducts the California Census annually in conjunction with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. CFOI produces comprehensive, accurate and timely counts of fatal work injuries. This Federal-State cooperative program was implemented in all 50 states and the District of Columbia in 1992.
