According to a recent news article from Huffington Post, the total number of workers who died on the job last year in the United States was nearly 5,000. This is up two percent from the total number or workplace deaths that occurred in the United States in the previous year. It should be noted that the figures for this year were only preliminary, and there will likely be an increase in the number when it is finalized, as is typically the case.
While the total numbers are up this year over last year, the rate of fatal workplace accidents has not changed. This is explained by an improved economy with more workers on the job than in previous years and more hours being worked than in previous years. The number of hours worked matters, because of the way in which the rate is calculated, at least in part by the total number of hours worked each year. Continue reading