On-the-Job Deaths Continue to Decline in 1997.

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 12, 1998--Fewer California workers died while at their jobs in 1997, according to John C. Duncan, director of the Department of Industrial Relations.

A preliminary report from data collected for the 1997 National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI), compiled by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in cooperation with the California Division of Labor Statistics and Research shows another decline in workplace fatalities in California. Figures for 1997 are the latest numbers available.

"In 1997, preliminary figures show that there were 636 deaths attributed to work-related accidents," said Duncan, "continuing the trend of reduced work-related deaths over the last several years."

The CFOI program identifies incidents involving workplace fatalities from several sources, including Cal/OSHA and federal OSHA reports, law enforcement information, workers' compensation claims, coroner's reports, and even news reports. The census identifies, verifies, and profiles workplaces involving all employees in the private sector, self-employed individuals, and civilian and military government employees.

Transportation accidents continue to represent the leading cause of workplace deaths in 1997, with 232 fatal injuries or 36 percent of the total. This is down from 270 in 1996. Over half of the transportation accidents involved highway traffic incidents, with collisions between vehicles as the most common event.

In 1997, assaults and violent acts, the second leading cause of workplace fatalities, registered 168 deaths. This represents a big drop from the 245 cases reported in 1993, when assaults accounted for the highest number of work-related deaths in California.

Other causes of workplace fatalities included 77 workers, or 12.1 percent of the total, who were struck by various objects, caught in equipment or collapsing structures or materials. Additionally, there were 80 people, or 12.6 percent, who died from falls; 54 people, 8.5 percent, who perished from exposure to harmful substances or environments (electrocution, noxious substances, drowning). Fires and explosions accounted for 22 deaths, or 3.5 percent of work related fatalities.

Workplace traumatic deaths were incurred by men 91.4 percent of the time, well above their share of California's employment. Seven out of 10 of those who were fatally injured were in the prime working age group -- 25 to 54 years, according to the report. -0-

     Among the private industry sector, more fatalities occurred in
the services industry, accounting for 110 fatalities, or 17.3 percent
of the total. The totals by other industry groups were:

--   Transportation and public utilities accounted for 92 deaths or
     14.5 percent of the total;
--   Construction had 86 deaths or 13.5 percent;
--   Retail trade had 83 deaths or 13.1 percent;
--   Agriculture, forestry and fishing accounted for 69 deaths or 10.8
     percent;
--   Manufacturing had 54 deaths or 8.5 percent;
--   Wholesale trade had 29 deaths or 4.6 percent;
--   Finance, insurance, and real estate accounted for 15 fatalities
     or 2.4 percent;
--   Mining had eight deaths or 1.3 percent.

     Among occupational groups, operators, fabricators, and laborers
had the greatest number of fatalities, with 183 or 28.8 percent. Other
groups include:

--   Precision production, craft and repair accounted for 91
     fatalities or 14.3 percent;
--   Managerial and professional specialty occupation reported 84
     deaths or 13.2 percent;
--   Technical, sales, and administrative support reported 82 deaths
     or 12.9 percent of the total;
--   Service occupations had 71 deaths or 11.2 percent;
--   Farming, forestry and fishing occupations accounted for 63 deaths
     or 9.9 percent;
--   Military occupations registered 28 deaths or 4.4 percent.

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"This trend toward fewer workplace fatalities, as these statistics appear to show, would indicate that California employers and employees are continuing their commitment to increased safety and health," said Duncan.

    CONTACT: California Department of Industrial Relations
              Rick Rice or Dean Fryer, 415/972-8835
              http://www.dir.ca.gov