5,190 fatal work injuries occurred in the U.S. in 2021.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, fatal workplace injuries have increased. In a recent release, the organization reports that 5,190 fatal work injuries occurred in the U.S. in 2021. This represents an 8.9% increase from the prior year, which only had 4,764 fatalities. 2021 also saw a 3.6 fatal occupational injury rate (3.6 fatalities per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers), which is the highest level since 2016. That means that in 2021, a worker died every 101 minutes.
Also included in the release, workers in transportation and material moving jobs accounted for the highest level of fatalities at 1,523 deaths in 2021. Transportation incidents also account for the most frequent type of fatality in 2021 at 1,982 incidents.
Protecting electrical controls and equipment within food and beverage plants presents unique challenges due to the sanitation requirements of the hygienic environment.
