Workplace Fatalities and Hospitalizations
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 trooper was fatally injured when a truck caught the trooper's motorcycle handle bars and subsequently ran over the trooper. (5/31/13)
- A tree that was being cut by a worker fell and fatally injured the owner. (5/20/13)
- An owner was fatally injured in a motor vehicle accident. (5/20/13)
- A worker was fatally injured after falling off a tractor and being run over. (4/29/13)
- A worker was fatally injured when run over by a baggage tug cart. (4/23/13)
View summaries of other work-related fatalities.
Useful incident information for prevention
- Fatality Bulletins.
- FACE (Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation) Narratives.
- Fatality & Serious Injury Investigation Stories.
Video Library – search using the keywords and subjects
Research
- National fatality, injury, and illness statistics.
- Report on economic losses associated with fatal occupational injuries (NIOSH).
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 skull was fractured when a patron at the business punched the worker, who fell backwards hitting the head on the ground. (6/12/2013)
- A worker fell off a ladder and received ankle and back fractures. (6/10/2013)
- A worker punctured a foot after stepping on a Russian olive thorn while walking in a vegetative area. (6/10/2013)
- A worker fell off of a ladder and received an ankle fracture. (6/10/2013)
- A worker's leg was caught in the chains of a choker and then picked up in the air and dragged up hill during a turn, crushing the worker's leg. (6/7/2013)
View summaries of other work-related hospitalizations.
Other Links
- National Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Program (NIOSH).
- National Workplace Injury, Illness, and Fatality Statistics (OSHA).
- Pension and Survivor Benefits (booklet available in English/Spanish).
- History of Health & Safety — Why DOSH exists (online free course, PowerPoint).
