Washington — “Inadequate workplace safety laws and policies” led to the deaths of 5,283 people in 2023 and an estimated 135,304 more from occupational diseases, the AFL-CIO claims in a new report.
For its 34th annual Death on the Job: The Toll of Neglect report, the labor federation – which represents more than 15 million workers – looked at 2023 data (the most recent available) from several different sources.
Key findings:
- Employers reported nearly 3.2 million work-related injuries and illnesses.
- Latino workers had a fatality rate of 4.4 per 100,000 workers, exceeding the overall rate of 3.5.
- Musculoskeletal disorders from repetitive motion injuries accounted for about 28% of all serious work-related injuries and illnesses in private industry.
- Unintentional overdoses at work decreased almost 5% from 2022 because of “increased attention paid to and efforts to combat the opioid crisis.”
The report points out that, in 2024, OSHA had one inspector for every 84,937 workers in the United States – meaning it would take the agency 185 years to inspect every workplace under its oversight.
“Every worker has the fundamental right to come home safe at the end of their workday,” AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler said in an April 23 press release. “But for too many workers, that basic right is under attack. Workers fought and died for generations for the health and safety laws and protections we have today, and this year’s report shows we need to do even more.”
Workers Memorial Day is April 28.
