Workplace Fatalities and Hospitalizations
In Washington State, an average of 2 employees die each week from injuries or illnesses related to their work. Many others are hospitalized, sometimes with injuries or illnesses that will persist for a lifetime.
Underlying these deaths or hospitalizations are powerful messages about workplace hazard prevention. These messages can help keep other employees safe and working.
Learn what to do when a workplace death or hospitalization occurs.
Fatalities
Descriptions of recent fatalities
- A tree that was being cut by a worker fell and fatally injured the owner. (5/20/13)
- An owner was fatally injured in a motor vehicle accident. (5/20/13)
- A worker was fatally injured after falling off a tractor and being run over. (4/29/13)
- A worker was fatally injured when run over by a baggage tug cart. (4/23/13)
- A worker was fatally crushed when a driver of a vehicle ran the worker over. (4/22/13)
View summaries of other work-related fatalities.
Useful incident information for prevention
- Fatality Bulletins.
- FACE (Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation) Narratives.
- Fatality & Serious Injury Investigation Stories.
Video Library – search using the keywords and subjects
Research
- National fatality, injury, and illness statistics.
- Report on economic losses associated with fatal occupational injuries (NIOSH).
Worker Memorial Day - A solemn reminder
This annual ceremony is held during April to honor the memories of workers who die every year due to workplace hazards.
President Barack Obama's Declaration of April 28, 2011 as Worker Memorial Day (13 KB PDF).
Hospitalizations
Descriptions of recent hospitalizations
- A worker providing home care assistance to a client was assualted by a relative of the client. (5/21/2013)
- A worker's hand was amputated while operating a saw at a lumber mill. (5/20/2013)
- A worker's rib, chest and face were fractured while the worker was riding as a passenger in a motor vehicle that was involved in a motor vehicle accident. (5/20/2013)
- A worker received a fractured spine after stepping on a loose piece of plywood and falling through a hole in the stairs. (5/20/2013)
- A worker's pelvis, rib, chest, ankle and sternum were fractured from a 6 ton beam falling onto the worker. (5/16/2013)
View summaries of other work-related hospitalizations.
Other Links
- National Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Program (NIOSH).
- National Workplace Injury, Illness, and Fatality Statistics (OSHA).
- Pension and Survivor Benefits (booklet available in English/Spanish).
- History of Health & Safety — Why DOSH exists (online free course, PowerPoint).
