Counting recognized occupational deaths in the United States

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Public Health Surveillance
• Workplace Safety Statistics

Background:

• The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Annual Survey is the primary source for US occupational fatality data.
• Previous estimates suggest significant underreporting in official occupational death counts.
• Discrepancies exist between BLS figures and those from other organizations like NIOSH and NSC.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the extent of underreporting in the 1984 BLS occupational fatality survey.
• To compare BLS data with death certificate and workers' compensation records.
• To estimate the true number of occupational fatalities in the US for 1984.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of BLS survey data for 26 states in 1984.
• Comparison of BLS counts with trauma death certificate data.
• Comparison of BLS counts with reported worker compensation deaths.
• Examination of underreporting in small firms (<11 employees).

Main Results:

• The BLS survey significantly underreported occupational fatalities across most analyzed states.
• Fatalities in small businesses were particularly underrepresented in the BLS data.
• Estimated minimum recognized occupational deaths in 1984 reached 7,771.
• Trauma deaths from death certificates, adjusted for underreporting, estimated at 8,234.

Conclusions:

• The BLS Annual Survey grossly underreports occupational fatalities.
• Death certificate data, when adjusted for underreporting, provides a more accurate measure of occupational deaths.
• Workplace safety surveillance needs improvement, particularly for small business worker safety.