Truckers accounted for most workplace fatalities of any occupation in 2015

Updated Jan 11, 2018
2007-02-11-002
highway, trucks

Heavy truck and tractor-trailer drivers accounted for the most workplace fatalities of all occupations in 2015, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ annual Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries.

In total, 745 truck drivers died from fatal work injuries during the year, the DOL says. Additionally, there were 1,264 total work-related deaths on roadways in 2015, including workers struck by vehicles. Nearly half of these (629) involved a semi, tractor-trailer or tanker truck, the report states.

The transportation industry as a whole – which includes air transportation workers, motor vehicle operators and material moving workers – accounted for 1,301 workplace deaths. The U.S. total of 4,836 workplace fatalities in 2015 was the highest since 2008’s 5,214 workplace fatalities.

Other jobs with high fatalities in 2015 include:

•Construction workers – 694 fatalities
•Installation, maintenance and repair occupations – 392 fatalities
•Management occupations – 379 fatalities
•Building and grounds cleaning/maintenance – 289 fatalities

The full report can be seen here.

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