Preliminary workplace fatality statistics for 2014 were recently released by California’s Department of Industrial Relations (DIR)—and they reflect a 16% decrease in workplace fatalities from the previous year. This is encouraging when compared with the preliminary data for the whole United States, which shows an increase of 2%.
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Also reported in the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) data was a decrease of 35% in deaths for Hispanic or Latino workers. “The downward trend in workplace fatalities for Latinos and all workers in California is encouraging,” said DIR Director Christine Baker. “It is our hope that this trend continues, and that employers continue to provide their workers the training, equipment, and safety measures to protect all workers in our state.”
Here are a few other key findings of the preliminary 2014 CFOI in California:
• The total number of workplace fatalities are the lowest reported since 2010, and remain below the pre-2008 recession average.
• One in five (22%) of all California workplace deaths identified in 2014 were attributed to violent acts, and 21% were due to slips, trips, and falls.
• Fatal workplace injuries among Latino workers represent 38% of all cases identified in 2014, compared to 49% counted in final data the year before.
More information on the data is available from the DIR via the press release linked below.