Workplace fatalities decline in Iowa

CEDAR RAPIDS — Fatal work injuries claimed the lives of 71 people in Iowa last year, down from 97 in 2012, according to preliminary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Fatal occupational injuries in Iowa have ranged from a high of 110 in 1992 to a low of 54 in 1995.

Nationwide, a preliminary total of 4,405 fatal work injuries were recorded in 2013, down from a revised count of 4,628 fatal work injuries in 2012, according to the BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries program.

Of the 71 fatal work injuries reported in Iowa in 2013, 28 involved transportation incidents and 16 were from contact with objects and equipment. The two categories accounted for almost two-thirds of all fatal work injuries.

Roadway incidents involving cars, trucks and other motorized land vehicles was the most frequent type of workplace fatality with 11 deaths. In the contact with objects and equipment category, eight deaths occurred from being struck by an object or equipment.

The agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting-equipment industry sector had the largest number of fatalities in the state with 21, compared with 38 the previous year.

Management occupations had the highest number of fatal work injuries with 17. The majority of these fatalities were farmers, ranchers and other agricultural managers.

Men accounted for 68, or 96 percent, of the work-related fatalities in Iowa. Ninety-nine percent of those who died from a workplace injury were white non-Hispanics.

Workers 25 to 54 years old — the prime working age group — accounted for 41, or 57.7-percent, of the state's work-related fatalities in 2013.

Workers in this group nationally accounted for 60 percent of on-the-job fatalities.

Of the 71 people who suffered fatal work injuries in Iowa, 69-percent worked for wages and salaries and the others were self-employed. The most frequent fatal event for both groups was transportation incidents.