In response to newly released data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics on workplace fatalities in 2023 showing that 5,283 workers died on the job, a decrease from the previous year, AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler released the following statement:
“Every worker deserves to leave for work without fear for their safety and return home unharmed at the end of the day. These new data show that too many workers are still dying on the job and that Black and Latino workers are dying on the job at higher rates. The labor movement will not be satisfied until the number of worker deaths is zero.
We will not get there without federal agencies such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Mine Safety and Health Administration, which have been underfunded by Congress for too long and face further threats to workplace safety rules and enforcement. Any attack on job safety agency resources is an attack on working people—and unions are ready to fight back.
With these data showing more workplace deaths in many industries that are largely nonunionized and affecting workers who may be too intimidated to speak out about unsafe conditions, it’s clear that a union contract is essential for a safe job site. The labor movement will continue fighting to unionize workplaces so that every worker can have the safer conditions that unions bargain for and be protected when raising concerns.”
Additional data on workplace fatalities in 2023:
Deaths among Black and Latino workers:
- Black and Latino workers are still dying at higher rates than other workers (3.6 and 4.4 deaths per 100,000 workers, respectively)
- Of Latino workers killed on the job, 67% were born outside of the United States
Deaths from workplace violence:
- Homicides accounted for 9% of all work-related fatalities
- Women experienced 18% of workplace homicides even though they accounted for 8% of all workplace deaths
Risks to younger and older workers:
- Workers ages 24 and younger made up 8% of all worker deaths
- Workers older than age 55 continue to make up more than one-third of all worker deaths
Contact: Prerna Jagadeesh, [email protected]