Workplace Fatalities and Hospitalizations

Illustrated person falling through a skylight - caption reads: Lives and livelihoods are at stake. Share the facts and lessons. 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 worker received fatal head injuries during tree cutting operation. (1-6-12)
  • A worker fell while installing a rim joist. (1-5-12)
  • A worker was killed when their raincoat got caught in the driveline of a truck. (1-5-12)
  • A worker was shot and killed during working hours. (1-1-12)
  • View summaries of other work-related fatalities.

Useful incident information for prevention

Video Library – search using the keywords and subjects

Research

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's thumb got in the way of a chop saw. (11/7/2011)
  • A couple of workers were thrown in the air when a compressor was being used in the orchard pipe and the pipe blew. (11/6/2011)
  • A worker got a hand stuck in a tarp. (11/6/2011)
  • A worker's finger was crushed by a stamping press. (11/5/2011)
  • While working on a piece of equipment with a hammer, a worker was struck in the eye with a piece of debris. (11/4/2011)
  • View summaries of other work-related hospitalizations.

Other Links


Related Links

End of main content, page footer follows.

Access Washington official state portal

© Washington State Dept. of Labor and Industries. Use of this site is subject to the laws of the state of Washington.