The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) published a study during Summer 2023 that tracked federal workplace data from 2014 through 2019. This study was novel in concept and collected information on 470 total deaths among industry workers across the United States. Among the causes of death, vehicle crashes and being hit by an object were the most common causes. Less common were deaths caused by explosions, falls, and exposure to hazardous substances.
It is worrisome that Texas owns nearly half of the 470 deaths tracked by the CDC. The study reports that Texas was responsible for 219 deaths, followed far behind by Oklahoma with 48 deaths. In the same five-year span, North Dakota took third place with 39 deaths. Texas demonstrates uniquely poor performance regarding industrial safety—at least for the companies that operate in the State of Texas.
These deaths certainly do not capture the full number of industrial fatalities in Texas from 2014 to 2019, these are merely figures captured by the CDC over that time span.
In general, the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (“OSHA”) investigates nearly all private-sector workplace deaths. According to federal law, employers are to report deaths to OSHA within eight hours of the occurrence or face potential fines and penalties. OSHA procedure provides that the agency typically must complete its investigation within six months. OSHA investigators are charged with holding employers responsible and accountable with federal law for workplace safety, and to recommend fines and penalties as appropriate for workplace safety violations, if found.
If you or someone you know has been injured or killed in a workplace accident that you believe is by the fault of the negligence of another, please contact an attorney at Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner by calling 713-222-7211 or 1-800-870-9584 for a free legal consultation.