Workplace fatalities in California decreased by 20% in 2010 from the prior year, according to the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries released by the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics. In 2010, there were 326 reported workplace occupational deaths, down from 409 in 2009.
The leading cause of workplace fatalities in California was transportation or driving accidents (98 of the 326 deaths. In close second place as a cause was workplace violence with 80 deaths. Coming in 3rd place were slips and falls, accounting for 66 occupational deaths in California in 2010.
Ironically, the government employee sector had the most workplace deaths (44 ) followed by transportation and warehousing (43). Perhaps Cal/OSHA should spend more time in the public sector and less time focusing on private employers?
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