Work-related deaths in Washington State, 1998-2002.
BACKGROUND
In Washington State, 87 workers are killed each year, on average, while in work status. To understand these incidents and to assist in focusing on and development of potential prevention measures, they must be well characterized.


METHODS
Work-related fatalities between the years 1998 and 2002 are described by the demographics of the victims, types of incidents, the victims' occupations, and industries and location in which they worked.


RESULTS
Motor vehicle- and machinery-related incidents accounted for nearly 33% and 14% of the incidents, respectively. Agriculture, forestry, fishing, hunting, and mining (n=87), and construction (n=83) had the most fatalities. Fatality rates per 100,000 workers for these industries were 25.7 and 8.7, respectively, compared to the state-wide average of 3.1 fatalities/100,000 workers.


CONCLUSIONS
These data indicate numerous areas for prevention of work-related traumatic injuries and fatalities.
Cohen
Martin A
MA
Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, 4225 Roosevelt Way NE, Suite 302, Seattle, WA 98105, USA.
Clark
Randy E
RE
Silverstein
Barbara
B
Sjostrom
Tom
T
Spielholz
Peregrin
P
D000062:Accidents, Occupational / Q000401:mortality*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002423:Cause of Death / Q000639:trends*; D003644:Death Certificates; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry / Q000145:classification* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000401:mortality*; D009790:Occupations / Q000145:classification* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011159:Population Surveillance; D014861:Washington / Q000453:epidemiology; D014942:Workers' Compensation