OSHA and Employers Together Make the Difference
In 1970, the total U.S. workforce population was approximately 82.8 million, and around 14,000 U.S. workers died from occupational injuries, averaging about 38 fatalities per day.
Fatalities by State
By 2022, the total U.S. workforce population had nearly doubled to about 164.3 million, while the number of workplace fatalities decreased to 5,486, or about 15 deaths per day.
Since the founding of OSHA, workplace fatalities have decreased by about 60% in absolute terms. Factoring in the doubling of the workforce by 2022, the improvement in workplace safety is even more pronounced. Workplace fatalities as a percentage of the total workforce were approximately 0.0169% in 1970, compared to 0.0033% in 2022, reflecting an 80% reduction in the fatality rate.
It is important to recognize that OSHA alone cannot take full credit for the improvements in workplace safety. While many factors contribute to these outcomes, employer and employee safety leadership, improved workplace practices, and compliance with OSHA regulations have undoubtedly played the most significant roles in reducing workplace fatalities.
These figures highlight substantial improvements in workplace safety over the past several decades, with a notable decline in worker fatalities despite a significant increase in the size of the labor force.
For more information on current injuries, illnesses, and fatalities by state, see the BLS Statistics Page.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
1-6. What factors contributed most to reducing workplace fatalities since 1970?
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