CFOI Reports 96 Work-Related Deaths in 2016
Wednesday, January 17th, 2018
There were 96 fatal work-related injuries recorded in South Carolina in 2016, down 21 from the previous year, according to data from the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI). In previous years, the totals were: 117 in 2015; 64 in 2014; 75 in 2013; 63 in 2012; 81 in 2011; 69 in 2010; 73 in 2009; 87 in 2008; and 122 in 2007. CFOI is compiled by the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, in cooperation with the S.C. Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation.
The report compiles a count of all fatal work injuries occurring in South Carolina during the calendar year. The CFOI program uses diverse state, federal, and independent data sources to identify, verify, and describe fatal work injuries. The census counts every fatal work-related injury, including highway deaths and homicides, which are not covered by OSHA.
Thus, any comparison between the BLS fatality census counts and S.C. OSHA counts should take into account the different coverage requirements and definitions used by each agency. Key findings of the 2016 South Carolina CFOI include:
- By event or exposure type, transportation incidents led the way with 36 fatalities. Both contact with objects and equipment and slips, trips and falls followed with 15 fatalities each. Violence and other injuries by persons or animals was the fourthmost-frequent fatal event at 14.
- Deaths among men totaled 92, while women accounted for 4 fatalities.
- Fatalities by race or ethnic origin were led by White, non-Hispanic workers at 60, followed by 21 for Black or African American, non-Hispanic, and 9 for Hispanic or Latino workers. CFOI records all on-the-job fatalities that happen each year.
However, as mentioned above, not all of those fatalities are considered to be work related by S.C. OSHA. In 2016, S.C. OSHA reported and investigated 28 work-related fatalities.