Department of Labor Issues Report on Report of Fatal Occupational Injuries in Maine

July 16, 2013

Twenty-six workers died from work-related injuries in 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 16, 2013
Contact: Julie Rabinowitz, 207-621-5009

AUGUSTA?According to a new report issued this week by the Research and Statistics Unit of the Bureau of Labor Standards, 26 Maine workers died from occupational or work-related injuries in 2011.

That year, the national occupational fatality rate was 3.5 per 100,000 workers. In contrast, Maine?s rate of occupational fatalities was 4.2 per 100,000 workers. Research regarding 2011 fatal occupational injuries in Maine indicates a .9 increase in Maine?s occupational fatality rate from 3.3 in 2010.

?This report and the research behind it help decision makers and businesses make improvements that protect Maine?s workers,? said Governor Paul R. LePage. ?We are committed to reducing the number of injuries and deaths in our workplaces. We want to do everything we can to keep Mainers safe while they are on the job.?

In 2011, the most common cause of death in the workplace was transportation accidents (61.5 percent). These deaths include motorized accidents, collisions involving other people, animals or objects and aircraft accidents. Environmental conditions such as ice, sleet and snow or high winds, gusts and turbulence were secondary causes involved in five of the 26 occupational fatalities.

The Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) program is a cooperative program between the federal government and the state of Maine.

The Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries report can be accessed at http://www.maine.gov/labor/labor_stats/publications/cfoi/index.html .

The Research and Statistics Unit manages and analyzes data on workplace fatalities, injuries and illnesses and issues summary reports that help employers identify areas for improvements in safety and health protection. Their reports and data visualizations using Tableau are located on the Department of Labor?s website at www.maine.gov/labor/labor_stats/research.html .

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