Texas tops nation in workplace fatalities

Texas led the nation with 486 workplace fatalities last year, followed by California with 448 and Florida with 355.

Nearly 41 percent of workplace fatalities in Texas involved motor vehicles, according to the Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC).

The DWC tracks work-related fatalities in Texas for the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, a program jointly administered with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Other 2006 statistics include:

• Sixty-four percent of fatalities involving transportation happened on highways.
• The construction industry had the highest number of fatalities. Thirty percent involved falls, and 23 percent involved transportation.
• Motor vehicle operators had the second-highest number of fatalities. More than 80 percent involved transportation incidents.
• Falls accounted for 10 percent more fatalities than they did in 2005.
• Women accounted for more than 6 percent of 2006 fatalities, a 12 percent increase over 2005. Assault and violent acts accounted for 45 percent of the 2006 fatalities.
• Workers between 35 and 44 years old accounted for 24 percent of fatalities.
• Hispanics accounted for 35 percent of fatalities, a decrease of 14 percent from 2005.

For more information about 2006 workplace fatalities in Texas, click here.

(Editor's note: Information courtesy of Texas Mutual Insurance Company)