Fatal workplace injuries are most likely to occur on Thursdays and in the month of August, results of a recent study show.
For the U.S. Workplace Accident Report, health experts from NiceRx.com used 2018 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to determine the risks and various characteristics of fatal workplace injuries. Overall, 5,250 fatal injuries were recorded.
Findings show Thursday was the most deadly day of the week in terms of work-related injuries, with 922 fatalities recorded. Wednesday trailed close behind with 906, followed by Monday and Tuesday (852 each), Friday (826), Saturday (551), and Sunday (341).
August proved to be the most deadly month of the year, accounting for 493 fatal injuries. July was second with 488, followed by May (475) and June (472). February (369) and December (353) were the only months with fewer than 400 fatal injuries recorded.
Other key findings:
- Construction led all industries with 1,008 fatal injuries, followed by transportation and warehousing (874); natural resources and mining (704); and agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting (574).
- The head (992) and trunk (826) were the most commonly affected body parts in the fatal incidents.
- The 45-54 and 55-64 age groups had the most fatal injuries, with 1,114 and 1,104, respectively. Together, they accounted for more than 42% of all of the fatal injuries.
- Men made up 92.1% of the fatal injuries.