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On August 23, 2013, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published a report on occupational fatalities and age in the United States, analyzing Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) data from 2003 to 2010. While it has been previously established that highway transportation accidents are the number one cause of worker fatalities in the United States, the CDC’s recent report found that the highest transportation casualty rates happen among workers aged 65 and older. This troubling finding has clear public health implications and calls for employers and government officials alike to increase efforts in addressing the safety of older workers.
Comparison of transportation fatality rates among younger and older workers
When compared to workers aged 18-54, the rate of occupational transportation fatalities among workers 65 and older was almost three times as high as that of their younger counterparts. For workers aged 18-54, the occupational highway fatality rate was 0.9 deaths per 100,000 full-time-equivalent workers. For workers aged 65 and older, the occupational highway fatality rate was 3.1 deaths per 100,000 full-time-equivalent workers.
Risk of occupational highway fatality by race
The report addressed the risk of worker transportation casualty by race as well. The risk of occupational highway fatality for American Indian/Alaska Native workers aged 65 and older was more than four times that of their 18-54 year old counterparts. Among Hispanic workers, the risk of occupational highway fatality for workers aged 65 and older was more than twice that of their 18-54 year old counterparts. Among non-Hispanic workers, the risk of occupational fatality for workers aged 65 and older was more than three times that of their 18-54 year old counterparts.
Risk of occupational highway fatality by industry
According to the CDC’s report, workers in the transportation and warehousing industry had the highest rates of occupational transportation fatalities of all industries. For workers aged 18-54, the fatality rate was 6.5. For workers aged 55-64, the fatality rate was 10.6. And for workers aged 65 and older, the fatality rate was 21.2.
Risk of occupational highway fatality by occupation
The data from the CFOI indicated that those working in transportation and material moving positions had the highest rates of occupational transportation fatalities of all occupations. For workers aged 18-54, the fatality rate was 7.4. For workers aged 55-64, the fatality rate was 12.9. And for workers aged 65 and older, the fatality rate was 22.9.
Risk of occupational highway fatality by type of vehicle
When assessing the data for vehicle type with the highest rate of occupational transportation fatalities among workers aged 65 and older, automobiles ranked highest (23%), followed by semi-tractor trailer trucks (22%), pickup trucks (15%) and off-road and industrial vehicles (9%). Furthermore, semi-tractor trailer trucks were the vehicle type with the highest rate of occupational transportation fatalities among workers aged 18-54 (31%) and 55-64 (37%).
See the CDC’s full report:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6233a1.htm?mobile=nocontent&s_cid=mm6233a1_w
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