The latest nationwide data records 5,486 fatal work injuries in the U.S. for 2022. Globally, work-related causes account for about 2.7 million deaths each year.
Key Takeaways
- In 2020, the U.S. had 5,333 workplace fatalities reported by BLS CFOI
- In 2022, BLS CFOI reported 75 fatal work injuries among agricultural workers (U.S.)
- In 2022, BLS CFOI reported 5,486 total fatal work injuries in the U.S.
- WHO estimates 12% of global deaths are due to environmental causes; occupational exposure is a subset addressed in WHO/SHE reports (WHO)
- NIOSH reports that workplace falls are a leading cause of injury and death in the construction industry (US)
- In 2021, private sector employers recorded 4,270 fatal work injuries meaning 4,270 workplace fatalities occurred among private sector workers (BLS CFOI).
- 1,200,000 nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses occur per year in the U.S. meaning the BLS nonfatal injury/illness estimates sum to about 1.2 million cases annually (BLS).
- Worker fatalities caused by motor vehicle incidents were 1,066 in 2021 meaning 1,066 workers died in transportation incidents (BLS CFOI).
- 75 fatal work injuries among agricultural workers in the U.S. in 2022 meaning 75 agricultural workers were fatally injured that year (BLS CFOI).
- Falls are a leading cause of fatal injury in construction meaning fall-related fatalities are among the most common causes of death for construction workers (NIOSH).
- In 2020, 3.5 million occupational injuries requiring more than 4 days away from work were reported in the U.S. meaning nonfatal injury counts reached 3.5M (BLS).
- In 2022, about 2.7 million people died from work-related causes globally meaning work contributes to millions of deaths each year (Lancet/WHO-ILO report).
- In 2022, workplace fatalities were a key driver of higher employer experience modification rates meaning insurers reflect fatal claims in rate calculations (AM Best).
- 3,885 fatal work injuries were reported in the U.S. in 2018 (CFOI, BLS).
- 1,001 worker deaths in 2021 were attributed to “Transportation incidents” in the U.S. (BLS CFOI).
Workplace deaths and injuries are widespread, with millions hurt globally each year and U.S. fatalities tied to risks like falls, transport, and heat.
Related reading
01 · Category
Incidence And Rates3 stats
01
In 2020, the U.S. had 5,333 workplace fatalities reported by BLS CFOI
02
In 2022, BLS CFOI reported 75 fatal work injuries among agricultural workers (U.S.)
03
In 2022, BLS CFOI reported 5,486 total fatal work injuries in the U.S.
Interpretation
Incidence And Rates Interpretation
In the Incidence And Rates view, the U.S. recorded 5,333 workplace fatalities in 2020 and 5,486 total fatal work injuries in 2022, while agricultural workers accounted for 75 of those fatal injuries in 2022, showing that overall workplace deaths remain high even as the distribution includes a distinct agricultural share.
02 · Category
Risk And Vulnerability2 stats
01
WHO estimates 12% of global deaths are due to environmental causes; occupational exposure is a subset addressed in WHO/SHE reports (WHO)
02
NIOSH reports that workplace falls are a leading cause of injury and death in the construction industry (US)
Interpretation
Risk And Vulnerability Interpretation
From a Risk And Vulnerability perspective, occupational exposure sits within the 12% of global deaths attributed to environmental causes, while in the construction industry workplace falls remain a leading driver of injury and death, making these hazards especially consequential where vulnerability is highest.
03 · Category
Industry Trends4 stats
01
In 2021, private sector employers recorded 4,270 fatal work injuries meaning 4,270 workplace fatalities occurred among private sector workers (BLS CFOI).
02
1,200,000 nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses occur per year in the U.S. meaning the BLS nonfatal injury/illness estimates sum to about 1.2 million cases annually (BLS).
03
Worker fatalities caused by motor vehicle incidents were 1,066 in 2021 meaning 1,066 workers died in transportation incidents (BLS CFOI).
04
3.8% of workers in the U.S. experienced a nonfatal workplace injury in 2021 meaning about 3.8% of workers suffered an injury or illness (BLS).
Interpretation
Industry Trends Interpretation
In the industry trends of U.S. workplace safety, 4,270 fatal work injuries were recorded in 2021 while 1,200,000 nonfatal injuries and illnesses occur each year, showing how even as only about 3.8% of workers experience a nonfatal injury, the overall burden on workplaces remains massive.
04 · Category
Workforce Impact4 stats
01
75 fatal work injuries among agricultural workers in the U.S. in 2022 meaning 75 agricultural workers were fatally injured that year (BLS CFOI).
02
Falls are a leading cause of fatal injury in construction meaning fall-related fatalities are among the most common causes of death for construction workers (NIOSH).
03
In 2020, 3.5 million occupational injuries requiring more than 4 days away from work were reported in the U.S. meaning nonfatal injury counts reached 3.5M (BLS).
04
In 2021, 8.2% of U.S. workers reported being injured on the job, according to BLS National Safety Council estimates meaning about 8.2% experienced a workplace injury (NSC via BLS).
Interpretation
Workforce Impact Interpretation
Workforce impact is stark in the U.S., where 8.2% of workers reported job-related injuries in 2021 and nearly 3.5 million nonfatal injuries requiring more than 4 days off work were recorded in 2020, while fatal risks remain concentrated in the most dangerous sectors, including 75 agricultural worker deaths in 2022 and construction deaths driven largely by falls.
05 · Category
Global Burden1 stats
01
In 2022, about 2.7 million people died from work-related causes globally meaning work contributes to millions of deaths each year (Lancet/WHO-ILO report).
Interpretation
Global Burden Interpretation
In 2022, an estimated 2.7 million deaths worldwide were linked to work-related causes, showing that the global burden of workplace harm is massive and affects millions of lives every year.
More related reading
06 · Category
Economic Burden1 stats
01
In 2022, workplace fatalities were a key driver of higher employer experience modification rates meaning insurers reflect fatal claims in rate calculations (AM Best).
Interpretation
Economic Burden Interpretation
In 2022, workplace fatalities were a key driver of higher employer experience modification rates as insurers priced in fatal claims, showing how deadly incidents directly raise the economic burden for employers.
07 · Category
Workplace Fatalities4 stats
01
3,885 fatal work injuries were reported in the U.S. in 2018 (CFOI, BLS).
02
1,001 worker deaths in 2021 were attributed to “Transportation incidents” in the U.S. (BLS CFOI).
03
As of 2022, the fatal work injury rate for “Transportation and Warehousing” occupations was 6.0 per 100,000 workers (BLS CFOI, U.S.).
04
The manufacturing sector accounted for 741 U.S. workplace fatalities in 2022 (CFOI, BLS).
Interpretation
Workplace Fatalities Interpretation
Workplace fatalities remain a major concern in the U.S., with 3,885 fatal work injuries reported in 2018 and transportation incidents causing 1,001 worker deaths in 2021, while transportation and warehousing occupations still saw a rate of 6.0 deaths per 100,000 workers as of 2022 and manufacturing accounted for 741 fatalities in 2022.
08 · Category
Nonfatal Burden4 stats
01
U.S. employers recorded 3.5 million nonfatal injuries and illnesses in 2020 that resulted in more than 4 days away from work (BLS).
02
In 2021, the U.S. incidence rate for nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses (private industry) was 2.7 per 100 full-time workers (BLS).
03
U.S. employers recorded 2.8 million nonfatal injuries and illnesses with job transfer or restriction in 2022 (BLS).
04
In 2022, there were 6.6 million nonfatal injuries and illnesses with/without lost time for U.S. private industry employers (BLS).
Interpretation
Nonfatal Burden Interpretation
For the Nonfatal Burden category, the data show that millions of injuries and illnesses continue to affect workers each year, with 3.5 million cases involving more than 4 days away from work in 2020 and 2.8 million leading to job transfer or restriction in 2022, underscoring a persistent strain beyond fatalities.
09 · Category
Risk Factors1 stats
01
In the U.S., heat-related illness risk increases with outdoor temperatures and humidity; OSHA highlights that an index ≥ 90°F signals high risk (OSHA heat safety guidance).
Interpretation
Risk Factors Interpretation
For the risk factors category, OSHA notes that when the heat index reaches 90°F or higher, the combined effect of higher outdoor temperatures and humidity signals a high likelihood of heat related illness in U.S. workplaces.
report visual · Key figures
Workplace fatalities (U.S.)
BLS CFOI reports a high baseline of workplace fatalities, with category and trend context available across years.
5,333
In 2020, the U.S. had 5,333 workplace fatalities reported by BLS CFOI
4,270
In 2021, private sector employers recorded 4,270 fatal work injuries meaning 4,270 workplace fatalities occurred among p
3,885
3,885 fatal work injuries were reported in the U.S. in 2018 (CFOI, BLS).
5,486
In 2022, BLS CFOI reported 5,486 total fatal work injuries in the U.S.
source-verifiedbls.gov2022
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Henrik Dahl. (2026, February 13). Workplace Death Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/workplace-death-statistics
MLA
Henrik Dahl. "Workplace Death Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/workplace-death-statistics.
Chicago
Henrik Dahl. 2026. "Workplace Death Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/workplace-death-statistics.
Sources & references
24 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level
+17 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)