Bloomberg Law
Dec. 19, 2017, 4:09 PMUpdated: Dec. 19, 2017, 10:20 PM

Workplace Death Rates in 2016 Jump to Highest Level Since 2010

Bruce Rolfsen
Bruce Rolfsen
Reporter

The likelihood of dying from workplace-related injuries increased in 2016, reaching the highest level since 2010, the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced Dec. 19.

The fatality rate grew to 3.6 deaths for every 100,000 full-time equivalent workers, up from 3.4 in 2015.

Across all occupations, 5,190 workers lost their lives in 2016, a 7 percent increase from 4,836 deaths in 2015 and the highest number since 2008, when 5,214 workers died.

The growing fatality numbers come at a time when funding for the federal Occupational Safety and Health Agency remains flat. A Senate committee is recommending OSHA ...