1994 Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries — 1995-08-03

A total of 6,588 fatal work injuries were reported in 1994, 4 percent more than the previous year's total, according to the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. The higher fatality count in 1994 largely reflects an increase over 1993 in the number of workers killed in transportation incidents, primarily highway and commercial airline crashes. Catastrophes that result in multiple worker deaths, such as fires, explosions, and aircraft crashes, can cause year-to-year fluctuations in fatality totals. The BLS census uses multiple data sources to identify, verify, and profile fatal work injuries. Key information about each workplace fatality (occupation and other worker characteristics, equipment being used, and circumstances of the event) is obtained by cross-referencing source documents, such as death certificates, workers' compensation records, and reports to federal and state agencies. This method assures counts are as complete and accurate as possible.