The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports the number of fatal occupational injuries and the number of nonfatal injuries and illnesses by race or ethnic origin. Race or ethnic origin categories used by BLS follow an Office of Management and Budget directive last revised in 1997 (Statistical Policy Directive No. 15, Race and Ethnic Standards for Federal Statistics and Administrative Reporting):
- White
- Black or African-American
- Asian
- American Indian or Alaska Native
- Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
- Hispanic or Latino
- Multi-race (non-Hispanic)
- Hispanic and other
Persons identified as Hispanic or Latino may be of any race. The race categories shown exclude data for Hispanics or Latinos.
Fatal Trends
In 2022, most workers killed were white (58%), followed by Hispanic or Latino workers (23%), Black or African American workers (13%), and Asian workers (3%). All other groups accounted for 1% or less of total deaths. Deaths among Hispanic or Latino workers as well as Black or African American workers both increased by 10% or more, while deaths among American Indian or Alaska Native as well as among Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander decreased in 2022 compared to 2021:
- Hispanic or Latino (118 more deaths, +10%)
- Black or African American (81 more deaths, +12%)
- White (64 more deaths, +2%)
- Persons of multiple races (5 more deaths, +45%)
- American Indian or Alaska Native (6 fewer deaths, -15%)
- Asian (9 fewer deaths, -5%)
- Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander (9 fewer deaths, -50%)
- Chart
- Data Table
Overall, the occupational death rate increased 2.8% in 2022, from 3.6 per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers in 2021 to 3.7 in 2022. The increase in death rates indicates the risk of occupational death has increased even after accounting for the increase in hours worked. Death rates also increased for all groups with the exception of Asian workers. 2022 marks the sixth consecutive year Hispanic or Latino workers experienced the highest death rate of any group at 4.6 per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers. Death rate percent changes are provided below:
- Black or African American workers (+5%)
- White workers (+3%)
- Hispanic or Latino workers (+2%)
- Asian workers (-11%)
- Chart
- Data Table
Although the fatal data by race or ethnic origin are very valuable, two current data gaps limit our understanding of the fatality risks faced by different worker groups. First, fatality rates by race or ethnic origin are not available for specific industries or occupations. Without this industry and occupational specific data, the ability to target interventions for workers at the highest risk of death is severely limited.
The second data limitation is that the BLS fatal surveillance program (Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries) excludes the tracking of fatal occupational illnesses. This limitation is not specific to race or ethnic origin but prevents the tracking of long-term health outcomes for worker groups by industry, occupation, or demographic variables like race or ethnic origin.
Nonfatal Trends
Detailed nonfatal data over 2021-2022
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has transitioned from an annual to a biennial (every two years) publication schedule. The final publication of a single year of cases involving days away from work estimates was for reference year 2020. BLS now publishes detailed data covering 2021 and 2022 for Days Away from Work (DAFW), Days of Job Transfer or Restriction (DJTR), and Days Away from Work, Job Restriction, or Transfer (DART) cases.
Unfortunately, nonfatal occupational data by race or ethnic origin are also limited and are of low statistical quality. The first major issue with current nonfatal data is that employers fail to report to the BLS race or ethnic origin for 48% of cases involving days away from work and 49% of cases involving days away from work, restricted activity, or job transfer. Because so many of the cases lack race or ethnic origin information, the true distribution of nonfatal cases by race or ethnic origin is unknown. Although current estimates show that white workers account for 30% of nonfatal cases involving days away from work, followed by Hispanic or Latino workers (12%), Black or African-American workers (8%), and Asian workers (2%), it is not known how the distribution would shift if all cases included race or ethnic origin information. With this caveat in mind, current trends show the number of annualized nonfatal cases involving days away from work increased 4.2% among American Indian or Alaska Natives, and 3.5% among Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander workers from 2020 to the 2021-2022 period. At the same time, cases decreased 9.6% among Asian workers, 8.3% among Black or African American workers, 6.9% among white workers, and 6.4% among Hispanic or Latino workers. However, these observed decreases may be partially accounted for by a 6% increase in cases from 2020 to the 2021-2022 period that failed to report race or ethnic origin information.
- Chart
- Data Table
The second major issue regarding current nonfatal data is that injury rates by race or ethnic origin are unreported by BLS. Without nonfatal case rate information, there is no way to assess the injury and illness risk faced by workers of different race or ethnic origin groups. This lack of information is in contrast to other demographic data made available by BLS. Injury and illness rates are reported for both worker sex and age.
To further explore the nonfatal data currently available by race or ethnic origin, please see the data details page.
Source: National Safety Council (NSC) analysis of BLS data.