Catastrophic Injury Based on Area of Occupation

1.7 Occupation
· Farming, Forestry & Fishing occupation group had the highest fatal occupational injury rate with 30.6 fatalities per 100,000 workers, more than thirteen times the overall state rate for all occupations (2.3 fatalities per 100,000 workers).  Most of the workers in this group (57 of 95) were fishers; fishing claimed more lives than any other single occupation. 

· Operators, Fabricators, and Laborers had the highest number of occupational fatalities and the third highest fatality rate over the nine-year period. One-fourth (160 fatalities) of all workers fatally injured on the job were employed in this occupation group, which had a fatality rate of 5.3 fatalities per 100,000 workers.

· The Precision, Production, Craft, and Repair occupation group had the second highest fatality rate (5.4 per 100,000 workers) and more fatal falls and electrocution injuries than any other occupation group. About two-thirds (68%) of all fatal falls to lower levels and 60% (15 of 25) of all fatal electrocutions involved workers in this occupation group.

· Leading events varied by occupation group. Water Vehicle incidents were the leading event in the Farming, Forestry and Fishing occupation group. Homicide was the leading event in three occupation groups: Service, Managerial & Professional Specialty, and Technical, Sales & Administrative Support occupation groups. Falls to Lower Levels was the leading event in Precision Production, Craft & Repair occupation group.

1.8 Government Employed Workers
· A total of 69 (11% of total work-related fatalities) government employees died on the job. Public sector workers raise special concerns because they are not protected under the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act in Massachusetts.

· The two leading events in the sector were highway motor vehicular incidents (14 fatalities, 20% of public sector total) and homicide (14 fatalities, 20%). Nine workers were fatally injured after being struck by vehicles at their workplaces. Suicide, electrocution, fire, and other events accounted for the remaining fatalities.  

· The age of victims at time of death ranged from 16 to 70 years. Nearly two-thirds (64%) of these workers were between the ages of 35 and 54 years and 99% (68 victims) were younger than 65 years. Government workers fatally injured on the job in Massachusetts were, on average, younger than all workers who suffered fatal occupational injuries in the state.

· Government workers who died from work-related injuries were employed in a wide range of industries. The majority (32 victims, 46%) of these workers were employed in the Justice, Public Order and Safety industry. Twelve (17%) fatalities occurred in the Transportation and Public Utilities division and 7 (10%) occurred in the Service industry division. Four victims were federal government employees involved in National Security and Internal Affairs Activities.

· Almost half (48%, 33 workers) of the workers were employed in service occupations which include detectives, police officers, supervisors, and firefighters. Fifteen victims were law enforcement workers and 10 were firefighters. Six of the 10 firefighters were fatally injured in a single fire.

Catastrophic Injury Lawyers: Massachusetts Directory

---

Free Fatal Occupations Government Workers Consultation

---