Workplace Fatalities in the U.S. Over Time

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Last updated: Monday June 28th, 2021

The rate of workers who die on the job has steadily decreased over time. However, the vast majority of dangerous jobs are still performed by men.

Source

Death rate = deaths per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers

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Year	Male	Female
1992	8.7	0.8
1993	8.8	0.9
1994	9	0.9
1995	8.3	0.9
1996	8.1	0.9
1997	8.1	0.8
1998	7.7	0.8
1999	7.7	0.7
2000	7.4	0.7
2001	7.4	0.7
2002	6.9	0.7
2003	6.9	0.7
2004	7.1	0.6
2005	6.9	0.6
2006	6.9	0.7
2007	6.6	0.6
2008	6.1	0.6
2009	5.7	0.6
2010	5.8	0.6
2011	5.7	0.7
2012	5.5	0.6
2013	5.4	0.5
2014	5.6	0.6
2015	5.5	0.6
2016	5.8	0.6
2017	5.7	0.6
2018	5.7	0.6
2019	5.7	0.7

28 Comments

+18

Level ∞

Nov 14, 2019

The gender disparity really is crazy. I wouldn't be surprised if 99% or more of dangerous jobs are performed by men. The fatality rate for women (0.6) is actually less than the overall fatality rate for every single listed occupation, even financial services (1.0).

+15

Level ∞

Nov 14, 2019

Most dangerous jobs:

Fishers: 99.8
Loggers: 84.3
Pilots: 48.6
Roofers: 45.2
Garbage collection: 35.0
Steelworkers: 33.4
Truck drivers and traveling salespeople: 26.8
Farmers and ranchers: 24.0
Groundskeepers: 21.0
Electric line workers: 18.7

Level 75

Nov 15, 2019

I think I am most surprised by the presence of groundskeepers on this list. Chainsaw accidents, I guess? You wouldn't think there are too many weed-whacker deaths...

Level ∞

Nov 15, 2019

Falls are a common cause of death in many industries.

Level 64

Aug 19, 2021

Groundskeepers probably include those people who trim branches off of palm trees in California.

Level 68

Apr 4, 2024

are window cleaners included in groundskeepers, maybe? and if a male window cleaner died at work and is replaced by his wife... is she a widow cleaner then?!

Level 54

Jul 28, 2024

Farmers and groundskeepers are probably because of heat stroke or dehydration in the summer.

Level 44

Jun 8, 2021

I am surprised that firshermans is the most dangerous job

Level 89

Jul 27, 2022

I thought that was common knowledge.

+17

Level ∞

Nov 14, 2019

Every time I see someone up in a tree holding a chainsaw I think to myself how glad I am to have a desk job.

+13

Level 82

Nov 15, 2019

Yet another stark illustration of female privilege in the United States.

+24

Level ∞

Nov 15, 2019

Both genders have privileges obviously.

+18

Level 82

Nov 15, 2019

They do, but in the United States, male privilege is grossly overstated, and often just flat out made up, and female privilege is not even acknowledged, even though females are enormously more privileged than males in the country. Also, often, the things held up as examples of male privilege are really examples of the opposite, such as the fact that men are expected to work longer hours, and make more money, in order to be attractive enough to secure a mate or support a family. Just compare suicide rates, or rates of homelessness, or match rate on dating apps. It's not even close.

+18

Level 89

Dec 9, 2019

@Kalbahamut: All those things you mentioned relate to pride and vanity and can easily be counteracted by not caring as much about how other people perceive you. I work with women, I can comfortably walk home from work late at night without having to really worry about anything bad happening to me. The women I work with have to be driven to their cars and there's no chance of them walking all the way home, due to the risk of them being sexually assaulted. But yeh the random people who make up 'society' expect you to earn more money. Cry me a river.

Level 22

Dec 23, 2020

@ECon211 well said.

Level 82

May 6, 2022

@ECon211 appropriate response would be censored. Use your imagination if you are able.

+10

Level 74

Nov 15, 2019

Sexism is always a double edged sword, it's not Team A vs Team B.

+13

Level 82

Nov 15, 2019

Agree wholeheartedly, except that when Team B shows up intent on slaughtering or diminishing Team A (particularly when Team A isn't even aware that they're being placed on a team) and encounters no resistance that can be a problem. All tribalism is evil. Whether it's Nazis demonizing Jews, Protestants demonizing Catholics, "Whites" demonizing "Blacks," citizens demonizing foreigners, Belgians demonizing Americans, or women demonizing men. All different flavors of the same evil counterproductive BS.

Level 22

Dec 23, 2020

So what do you advocate for? Based on your comments definitely seems like you'd like to give men more rights- isn't that the same thing?

Level 82

May 6, 2022

I only ever advocate for total equality. My enemies are both overt bigots and the ignorant but well-intentioned. Often, especially in the most liberal and equitable societies, more harm is done by the latter than the former.

Level 68

Apr 4, 2024

Isn't the call for equality or acceptance a problem in itself? Let's take genders and sexuality. If a group with any "special" kind of sexuality is calling for more acceptance, they acheive the exact opposite, in my opinion. I believe, that the best way to accept someone, is to not even mention any "specialty" of him, her or - if you want so - it. I don't give a f**k, if someone loves men, women, trees, puppets or all at once. But I also wouldn't shout out "I'm gay, so show me some respect!". By the way, I am a 41 yo white hetero male and married a pan-sexual female. Works briliant for me and I'm fine, if noone gives a f**k about it ;)

Level 58

May 7, 2021

A nation divided will not stand... why do you think the media is always yelling about race and gender.

Level 89

Jul 27, 2022

A person divided really can't stand.

Level 59

Mar 8, 2024

might depend which way

Level 58

May 7, 2021

Why can't everyone just be friends :)