2003 Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries — 2004-09-22

A total of 5,559 fatal work injuries were recorded in the U.S. in 2003, a small increase from the revised total of 5,534 fatal work injuries reported for 2002, according to the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Despite the increase, fatal work injuries for both 2003 and 2002 were the lowest ever recorded by the fatality census, which has been conducted each year since 1992. The rate at which fatal work injuries occurred in 2003 was 4.0 fatalities per 100,000 workers, unchanged from the rate reported for 2002. Fatal work injuries resulting from highway incidents, falls, and electrocutions were all lower in 2003 than in 2002, while fatal injuries involving homicides, fires and explosions, and being struck by objects increased. Fatal highway incidents were down in 2003 for the second consecutive year, but continued to account for the highest number of fatal work injuries.