OSHA Reports Fewer Workplace Fatalities

The number of workers killed on the job declined in fiscal 2024. 

OSHA’s preliminary data shows a drop in the number of fatalities the agency is mandated to investigate.

Federal OSHA investigated 826 worker deaths in fiscal 2024, down 11% from 2023. 

Outside of COVID-related deaths, it is the lowest number of worker fatalities OSHA has been mandated to investigate since 2017. 

Trends 

Most notably, agency officials have seen a decline in fatal injuries from trench collapses and falls. 

The agency investigated 189 falls in 2024, down from 234 the previous year. 

Deaths related to trench collapses declined nearly 70% since 2022. 

The preliminary data represents only areas where federal OSHA exercises jurisdiction.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics releases its full analysis of workplace deaths at a later date. 

The agency did release its nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses for 2023 earlier this month. 

Employees working in the private sector saw an 8.4% decrease in injuries from the previous year. 

While that decline mostly represents a drop in respiratory illness cases, there was also a 20% decrease in the number of injuries and illnesses involving days away from work in 2023.