New statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show that in 2024, 5,070 American workers died after suffering injuries while working. This was down from 5,283 in 2023. A worker died every 104 minutes from a work-related injury in 2024 compared to 99 minutes in 2023. Transportation incidents continue to be the most frequent type of fatal event, accounting for 38.2 percent of all occupational fatalities in 2024.
When we break down the figures by racial and ethnic group, we see that 624 African Americans died from work-related injuries in 2024. This was down by 15 percent from 2022. The number of Black Americans killed at work in 2022 was the highest number recorded since statistics on workplace fatalities have been collected. African Americans made up 12.3 percent of all work-related fatalities due to injury, down from 13.4 percent in 2022.
Transportation incidents were the highest cause of fatalities for Black or African American (256) workers in 2024. Transportation incidents accounted for 41 percent of all fatalities of African Americans at work due to injuries.
Some 166 Black workers died from homicide or suicide at work in 2024. Black workers made up 25 percent of all worker deaths by homicide or suicide.
More than 26 percent of all Black fatalities at work due to injuries suffered on the job were related to homicides or suicides. Overall, 14.5 percent of fatalities at work due to injuries suffered on the job were related to homicides or suicides.
