Oregon saw a drop in worker deaths last years, according to newly released data from the state’s Department of Consumer and Business Services. But despite the overall decline, the numbers show that certain industries—particularly logging and construction—continue to carry some of the highest risks for fatal injuries.
The Annual Compensable Fatality Report shows 26 fatalities in 2024 filed for workers’ compensation. That’s down from 42 in 2023, marking the lowest number in at least five years. But even with the decrease, some industries reported no improvement—and others saw new spikes.
The agriculture, forestry and fishing sector had the most fatalities with six in 2024, compared with nine the year before. Of those, five were logging, a sharp increase from just one fatality in 2023. Construction also reported five deaths, the same number as the previous year.
Other industries with fatal workplace incidents last year included retail trade, transportation and warehousing, and administrative and waste services, each reporting four casualties. Accommodation and food services, professional services and state and local government each recorded one fatality.
Some industries saw notable improvements. Manufacturing, healthcare and social assistance—which had a combined total of eight deaths in 2023—reported zero compensable fatalities in 2024. However, the department emphasized that 2024 data are preliminary and could change as additional reports come in.
The report only accounts for compensable fatalities, or work-related deaths in which claims were accepted by insurers. It does not include deaths of self-employed workers, federal employees, out-of-state workers operating in Oregon, or Portland police and fire personnel.
Annual data is based on the date the department was notified that a fatality claim had been accepted, which may differ from the actual date of the incident or death. Prior years reported 33 fatalities in 2020, 44 in 2021, and 30 in 2022, according to the state’s archived reports.
The Department of Consumer and Business Services publishes its fatality data quarterly and annually.
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