The Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) reports that 376 Californians died on the job in 2017, the same as in 2016.
California’s workplace fatality rate remains stable with slight fluctuations over the last eight years. On the national level, the rate of fatalities decreased from 3.6 to 3.5 per 100,000 workers.
There were 376 fatal injuries on the job in California in 2017 and 2016, compared to 388 in 2015, 344 in 2014, and 396 in 2013.
The data comes from the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI), which is conducted annually in conjunction with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Figures for 2017 are the latest numbers available.
Key Findings
Key findings from the latest census in California include:
• More than one in five (22%) of all California workplace deaths identified in 2017 were attributed to trips, slips and falls, with 88% of those deaths involving falls to a lower level.
• Assaults and violent acts in the workplace accounted for one of every five (20%) of all workplace deaths in the state in 2017.
• Nearly two of every five (37%) California workplace deaths identified in 2017 occurred in transportation-related incidents.
Tables reflecting final data for 2017 (and prior years’ final data) for California are posted online, as well as a report reflecting five years of fatal occupational injuries in California.
For further detail on CFOI methods and calculations see Part III: Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries on the BLS website.
DIR conducts the California Census annually in conjunction with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. CFOI produces comprehensive, accurate and timely counts of fatal work injuries. This federal-state cooperative program was implemented in all 50 states and the District of Columbia in 1992.
Injury/Illness Prevention
For more information on Injury and Illness Prevention Programs in California, California Chamber of Commerce members can visit the HR Library’s Injury and Illness Prevention Program page on HRCalifornia. Not a member? Learn more about how CalChamber can help you at www.calchamber.com/membership.
