Census Of Fatal Occupational Injuries Research Articles

Work-Related Violent Deaths in the US Taxi and Limousine Industry 2003 to 2013: Disparities Within a High-Risk Working Population.

We describe the magnitude and distribution of violent work-related deaths among taxi and limousine drivers, a high-risk population. We analyzed rates using the Bureau of Labor Statistics Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) for all violent work-related deaths in the taxi and limousine industry from 2003 to 2013. We described demographics, work characteristics, and other injury details, examining temporal trends for nativity and race/ethnicity. Men (adjusted rate ratio [RRadj] 6.1 [95% confidence interval [CI] 2.6-14.1]), blacks (RRadj 2.3 [95% CI 1.6-3.4]), Hispanics (RRadj 2.1 [95% CI 1.3-3.4]), and drivers in the South (RRadj 2.7 [95% CI 1.9-3.9]) had significantly higher fatality rates than comparison groups. Over time, the rates remained substantially higher compared with all workers. The taxi and limousine industry continues to face a disproportionately dangerous working environment. Recommended safety measures implemented uniformly by cities, companies, and drivers could mitigate disparities.

Trends and Characteristics of Occupational Suicide and Homicide in Farmers and Agriculture Workers, 1992-2010.

We examined work-related homicides and suicides among farm operators/workers in the United States from 1992 to 2010. Work-related homicide and suicide cases from 1992 to 2010 were obtained from the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries. To calculate rates, denominator data on the US working population were also obtained from 2003 to 2010 Current Population Survey. Logistic regression was used to identify factors that were differentially associated with homicide and suicide. Over these 19 years, 171 farm operators/workers died from homicide and 230 died from suicide. When compared to rates of all workers, suicide rates were higher while homicide rates were lower among farm operators/workers. Males (OR = 6.1), whites (OR = 4.7), and 35- to 54-year-old (OR = 2.3) farm operators/workers had increased odds of suicide over homicide compared with their respective counterparts (ie, females, nonwhites, <35-year-olds). Those working in smaller farm operations with <11 employees had 1.7 times the odds of suicide over homicide. Suicide and homicide are both present in the agricultural industry, with suicide being more common than homicide. Translation of suicide prevention programs should be explored for the agricultural industry.

Anchoring biases in international estimates of the value of a statistical life

U.S. labor market estimates of the value of a statistical life (VSL) were the first revealed preference estimates of the VSL in the literature and continue to constitute the majority of such market estimates. The VSL estimates in U.S. studies consequently may have established a reference point for the estimates that researchers analyzing data from other countries are willing to report and that journals are willing to publish. This article presents the first comparison of the publication selection biases in U.S. and international estimates using a sample of 68 VSL studies with over 1000 VSL estimates throughout the world. Publication selection biases vary across the VSL distribution and are greater for the larger VSL estimates. The estimates of publication selection biases distinguish between U.S. and international studies as well as between government and non-government data sources. Empirical estimates that correct for the impact of these biases reduce the VSL estimates, particularly for studies based on international data. This pattern of publication bias effects is consistent with international studies relying on U.S. estimates as an anchor for the levels of reasonable estimates. U.S. estimates based on the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries constitute the only major set of VSL studies for which there is no evidence of statistically significant publication selection effects. Adjusting a baseline bias-adjusted U.S. VSL estimate of $9.6 million using estimates of the income elasticity of the VSL may be a sounder approach for generating international estimates of the VSL than relying on direct estimates from international studies.

Anchoring Biases in International Estimates of the Value of a Statistical Life

U.S. labor market estimates of the value of a statistical life (VSL) were the first revealed preference estimates of the VSL in the literature and continue to constitute the majority of such market estimates. The VSL estimates in U.S. studies consequently may have established a reference point for the estimates that researchers analyzing data from other countries are willing to report and that journals are willing to publish. This article presents the first comparison of the publication selection biases in U.S. and international estimates using a sample of 68 VSL studies with over 1,000 VSL estimates throughout the world. Publication selection biases vary across the VSL distribution and are greater for the larger VSL estimates. The estimates of publication selection biases distinguish between U.S. and international studies as well as between government and non-government data sources. Empirical estimates that correct for the impact of these biases reduce the VSL estimates, particularly for studies based on international data. This pattern of publication bias effects is consistent with international studies relying on U.S. estimates as an anchor for the levels of reasonable estimates. U.S. estimates based on the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries constitute the only major set of VSL studies for which there is no evidence of statistically significant publication selection effects. Adjusting a baseline bias-adjusted U.S. VSL estimate of $9.6 million using estimates of the income elasticity of the VSL may be a sounder approach to generating international estimates of the VSL than relying on direct estimates from international studies.

Putting violence in perspective: how safe are America’s educators in the workplace?

As safety in schools continues to be in the national spotlight, the need to identify circumstances that jeopardize the educators' safety becomes pressing. Violent events capture our attention; however, do violent events compose the majority of educator workplace injuries and illnesses? If not, then what are the events and sources under which educators are hurt or killed on the job? To address these questions, we compare workplace violence experienced by educators with their overall workplace injuries and illnesses. Fatal injury data were taken from the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries and nonfatal days-away-from-work data from the Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses. This article also examines differences in educator workplace injuries and illnesses by level of instruction, sector, and gender. From 2011 through 2014, transportation incidents led to the most fatalities among educators--violent events were the second most frequent. In 2014, falls, slips, and trips led to the most nonfatal days-away-from-work cases--violent events were the second most frequent. Language: en

How rare are large, multiple-fatality work-related incidents?

Despite their salience, the prevalence of incidents that result in many work-related deaths is not well-documented. This study estimated probabilities of observing large scale work-related fatal incidents using 1995–2010 records from the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries. A range of model estimates suggest approximately a one-in-four annual chance of observing an incident resulting in 20 or more work-related fatalities. The most likely contributors are aircraft incidents, and fires and explosions. The probability that a large scale incident occurs has declined in recent years due to a general decline in the number of fatal incidents, and due to a compositional shift away from those types of incidents more likely to result in large scale outcomes.

At-Risk Occupations in Power Line Fatalities: How Do Occupational Safety and Health Administration and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Data Compare?

Injury from overhead power lines (OPHLs) is common in certain occupations. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) began its Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) database in 1992 and organizes injured workers by industry and occupation. The data show that, each year, OHPL injuries have outnumbered all other types of electrical injury. Contact with OHPL injuries accounted for 44% of all electrical fatalities from 1992 through 2010, followed by contact with wiring, transformers, or other electrical components (27%) and contact with the electric current of machines, tools, appliances, or light fixtures (17%).

Work-related fatal motor vehicle traffic crashes: Matching of 2010 data from the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries and the Fatality Analysis Reporting System

Motor vehicle traffic crashes (MVTCs) remain the leading cause of work-related fatal injuries in the United States, with crashes on public roadways accounting for 25% of all work-related deaths in 2012. In the United States, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) provides accurate counts of fatal work injuries based on confirmation of work relationship from multiple sources, while the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) provides detailed data on fatal MVTCs based on police reports. Characterization of fatal work-related MVTCs is currently limited by data sources that lack either data on potential risk factors (CFOI) or work-relatedness confirmation and employment characteristics (FARS).BLS and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) collaborated to analyze a merged data file created by BLS using CFOI and FARS data. A matching algorithm was created to link 2010 data from CFOI and FARS using date of incident and other case characteristics, allowing for flexibility in variables to address coding discrepancies. Using the matching algorithm, 953 of the 1044 CFOI “Highway” cases (91%) for 2010 were successfully linked to FARS. Further analysis revealed systematic differences between cases identified as work-related by both systems and by CFOI alone. Among cases identified as work-related by CFOI alone, the fatally-injured worker was considerably more likely to have been employed outside the transportation and warehousing industry or transportation-related occupations, and to have been the occupant of a vehicle other than a heavy truck.This study is the first step of a collaboration between BLS, NHTSA, and NIOSH to improve the completeness and quality of data on fatal work-related MVTCs. It has demonstrated the feasibility and value of matching data on fatal work-related traffic crashes from CFOI and FARS. The results will lead to improvements in CFOI and FARS case capture, while also providing researchers with a better description of fatal work-related MVTCs than would be available from the two data sources separately.

The Economic Impact for Farm Injury in Minnesota, 2004–2010

ABSTRACTOnly 2% of Minnesota’s employed population worked in agriculture between the years 2005 and 2012. However, this small portion of the state’s employed population accounted for 31% of total work-related deaths in the state during that same time period. During a similar time period, 2007–2013, the contribution of agriculture to Minnesota’s gross domestic product increased from approximately 1.5% to about 2.3%. This article describes the economic impact of injuries related to farm work between the years 2004 and 2010. Using hospital discharge data and the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI), estimates of the number of injuries and fatalities related to agricultural work were compiled. A cost of illness model was applied to these injury and fatality estimates to calculate the related indirect and direct costs in 2010 dollars. Estimated total costs, in 2010 dollars, ranged between $21 and $31 million annually over the 7-year study period. The majority of the costs were attributable to indirect costs, such as lost productivity at work and home. Fatal injuries accrued the largest proportion of the estimated costs followed by hospitalized and nonhospitalized injuries. A sensitivity analysis was performed to evaluate the impact each selected data source had upon the cost estimate. The magnitude of the costs associated with these injuries argues for better surveillance of injury related to agriculture to prioritize resources and evaluate intervention and prevention programs.

The fatality and morbidity components of the value of statistical life

The fatality risk–money tradeoff that is the value of a statistical life (VSL) may vary with the nature of the fatality event. While all fatalities involve loss of future life expectancy, the morbidity effects and their duration may differ. This article analyzes fatality risks accompanied by morbidity effects of different duration to disentangle the mortality and morbidity components of VSL using data from the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI). The VSL is comprised of the sum of the value of the fatality risk and the value of the morbidity risk. Labor market valuations of morbidity risks are positive, even for fatalities that are caused by traumatic injuries. The value of the fatality risk is the dominant component of VSL, rather than the value of the morbidity risk.

Characteristics of Fatal Agricultural Injuries by Production Type.

Although agriculture is recognized as a hazardous industry, it is unclear how fatal agricultural injuries differ by production type. The purpose of this study was to characterize fatal occupational injuries in agriculture, comparing crop and animal production, and determine which risk factors are specifically associated with each production type. A cross-sectional study was conducted among crop and animal pro ducers using data from the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries in the Midwest region from 2005 to 2012. Rates offatal injury by production type were estimated. The frequency of fatal injury in each production type was also reported by demographic and injury characteristics. Finally, a logistic regression was performed to determine whether age, gender, injury timing, or injury event/exposure type were associated with crop or animal production. A total of 1,858 fatal agriculture-related injuries were identified, with 1,341 in crop production and 517 in animal production. The estimated rate of fatal injury was higher in crop production than in animal production (15.9 vs. 10.8 per 100,000 workers). Fatal injuries among young and elderly agricultural workers were significantly associated with crop production compared to animal production. Animal assaults, falls, and exposure to harmful substances or environments were significantly associated with animal production. Fatal agricultural injury is more common in crop production. However, the characteristics and risk factors of fatal injuries differ by production type. Intervention strategies may be guided by considering the production-specflc risk factors.

The value of a statistical life for transportation regulations: A test of the benefits transfer methodology

Policy applications of the value of a statistical life (VSL) often make a benefits transfer assumption that the VSL from one market context is broadly applicable to other contexts. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s estimate of $9.2 million is based on labor market estimates of VSL. This article examines whether there are any significant differences in labor market estimates of the VSL by the nature of the fatality, utilizing two different approaches that distinguish between fatalities resulting from transportation events and vehicle-related sources based on the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) data. The labor market estimates of VSL generalize across transport and non-transport contexts so that it is appropriate to use labor market estimates of VSL to value the benefits of transport regulations. This result holds even after accounting for the level and composition of nonfatal job injuries.

Safety benefits of mandatory OSHA 10 h training

Construction is an inherently dangerous industry. Its injury rates for the industry annually rank near the top of all U.S. industries. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is charged with regulating U.S. workplace safety. Towards this end, they provide enforcement and promote training. A standardized 10h training course sanctioned by OSHA is available for construction workers in all states. In 2004, Massachusetts became the first of seven states to legislate mandated OSHA 10h training for construction workers on most public projects. Previous studies have shown that occupational safety training has beneficial effects on knowledge gain and improved behavior but there is weak evidence for improved safety outcomes. The natural experiment created by mandated training provided the opportunity to study the effects of mandated training on these outcomes. This study uses the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2004–2012 State Occupational Injury and Illness data in a random effects multiple regression analysis and BLS 2008–2011 fatality data from the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries to examine fatality trends across different strata. The results are highly encouraging but fall short of definitive evidence. The post-mandate fatality trend results compare favorably against other state groupings and the non-fatal injury regression indicated a nearly statistically significant marginal effect for mandated training. However these results are clouded by the short duration of trend data and injury data known to be underreported. Recommendations include more extensive recordkeeping for OSHA 10h training and improved injury surveillance.

Does the year-end decline in injury risk reflect reporting error?

Relatively little is known about seasonal patterns in occupational injury risk. Injury risk may vary seasonally due to weather-related factors or changing work exposure. Employer confusion about recordkeeping rules and injury occurrence near year end may also lead to an undercount of year-end injuries. Case records from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses and Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries were used to determine seasonality for a variety of injury types. Reported injury rates were higher in summer and lower at year end. Difficult-to-identify injuries showed greater year-end incidence declines. End-of-year injury declines may have reflected reporting errors for some injury types. The summertime increase in injury risk was broad-based and presumably reflected real seasonal factors.

0354 Non-fatal agricultural injuries: Surveillances in the Midwestern United States

ObjectivesThe objective was to estimate the agriculture injury rate in in the United States. The Bureau of Labour Statistics conducts Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries and Survey of Occupational Injuries...

Occupational fatalities among driver/sales workers and truck drivers in the United States, 2003-2008.

This study provides a national profile of occupational fatalities among truck drivers and driver-sales workers. Data from the 2003-2008 Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries were used. Cases were extracted specifically for occupational subcategories included in the Driver/Sales Workers and Truck Drivers occupational category: Driver/Sales Workers, Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers, and Light Truck or Delivery Services Drivers. In 2003-2008, the group Driver/Sales Workers and Truck Drivers had 5,568 occupational fatalities, representing 17% of all occupational fatalities in the United States. The majority of these fatalities were in the subgroup Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers (85%) and due to transportation incidents (80%). Older and male drivers had higher fatality rates than their counterparts. Findings suggest a need for targeted interventions to reduce highway fatalities among heavy truck drivers. Better employment data are needed to separate the three occupational subcategories by worker characteristic and employment history for use in research and prevention efforts.

Fatal occupational injuries involving contractors, 2011

Before 2011, the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries captured data only on the firm that directly employed the decedent. While this is useful information, the firm directly employing the decedent is not always the firm at which the decedent was working at the time of the incident, such as when the person killed was a contractor. This visual essay looks at new data on contractors, highlighting some interesting similarities and differences between these workers and those who are not contractors.

Non‐robbery‐related occupational homicides in the retail industry, 2003–2008

The purpose of this study was to examine non-robbery-related occupational homicides in the retail industry from 2003 to 2008. Data were abstracted from the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries. Motive (robbery- or non-robbery-related) and workplace violence (WPV) typology (Type I-IV) were assigned using narrative text fields. Non-robbery-related homicide rates were calculated and compared among WPV types, demographic characteristics, and occupation. Twenty-eight percent of homicides that occurred in the retail industry were non-robbery-related. The leading event associated with non-robbery-related homicides was Type II (perpetrated by customers) (34%), followed by Type IV (perpetrated by personal relationship) (31%). The majority of homicides were due to arguments (50%). Security guards and workers in drinking establishments had the highest homicide rates per 100,000 workers (14.3 and 6.0, respectively). Non-robbery-related homicides comprised a meaningful proportion of workplace homicides in the retail industry. Research is needed to develop strategies to prevent non-robbery-related homicides specifically.

Using data from the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries to estimate the “value of a statistical life”

Using data from the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries to estimate the “value of a statistical life”

Occupational fatality risks in the United States and the United Kingdom

There are very few careful studies of differences in occupational fatality rates across countries, much less studies that try to account for those differences. We compare the rate of work injury fatalities (excluding deaths due to highway motor vehicle crashes and those due to violence) identified by the US Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries in recent years with the number reported to the Health and Safety Executive in the United Kingdom (UK) and by other European Union (EU) members through Eurostat. In 2010, the fatality rate in the UK was about 1/3 the rate in the US. In construction the rate was about ¼ the US rate, a difference that had grown substantially since the 1990s. Several other EU members had rates almost as low as the UK rate. Across EU countries, lower rates were associated with high-level management attention to safety issues and to in-house preparation of "risk assessments." Although work fatality rates have declined in the US, fatality rates are much lower and have declined faster in recent years in the UK. Efforts to find out the reasons for the much better UK outcomes could be productive.