Early Data on Workplace Fatalities in California Show Decline

The Department of Industrial Relations has posted preliminary workplace fatality statistics for California in 2014 that show a decline.

The Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries data reflect a total of 334 fatal work injuries statewide in 2014, a decrease of 16 percent from the 396 workplace deaths reflected in the final 2013 data. Deaths for Hispanic or Latino workers also fell 35 percent from 194 in 2013 to 127 in 2014. Preliminary data for the U.S. shows an increase of 2 percent from 4,585 in 2013 to 4,769 in 2014.

“The downward trend in workplace fatalities for Latinos and all workers in California is encouraging,” DIR Director Christine Baker said in a statement. “It is our hope that this trend continues, and that employers continue to provide their workers the training, equipment and safety measures to protect all workers in our state.”

Key findings of the preliminary 2014 data include:

The total number of workplace fatalities are the lowest reported since 2010, and remain below the pre-2008 recession average.

Roughly one third of all California workplace deaths identified in 2014 occurred in transportation incidents. Traffic accidents that occur on public roads are under the jurisdiction of the California Highway Patrol.

More than one in five of all California workplace deaths identified in 2014 were attributed to violent acts and 21 percent due to trips, slips and falls.

Fatal workplace injuries among Latino workers represent 38 percent of all cases identified in 2014, compared with 49 percent counted in final data the year before.

DIR published a report in April examining fatal occupational injury trends among Latinos from 2009 – 2013. The report made recommendations for specialized, language-appropriate training for workers prior to performing hazardous work.

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