Source: NCDOL, 1/26/22

Struck-by incidents caused the largest number of non COVID-19 work-related deaths last year in the Tar Heel state, based on preliminary information released today by the N.C. Department of Labor (NCDOL). The department’s Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Division inspected 49 non COVID-19 work-related fatalities in 2021. The division also inspected 25 cases reported as deaths related to COVID-19.

“Workplace fatalities keep me up at night,” Labor Commissioner Josh Dobson said. “Every time there is a workplace fatality, I am notified of it and no matter what the cause, it weighs heavy on my mind. Although I am encouraged by the overall reduction in workplace fatalities, we still have work to do. As we continue to navigate this pandemic, our department will continue to put safety and health first, provide education, training and compliance resources on high hazard industries and work to continue to reduce the risk of COVID-19 in the workplace.”

The OSH Division tracks work-related deaths that fall within its jurisdictional authority so it can pinpoint where fatalities are occurring and place special emphasis on counties or regions where deaths on the job are happening. By tracking fatalities in real time, the department can also notify industries of any concerning patterns or trends identified and issue hazard alerts.

“The overall reduction in occupational fatalities from 2020 to 2021, during a time that the overall workforce increased in our state, is very encouraging,” Kevin Beauregard, director of the state OSH Division, said. “In particular, North Carolina experienced significant reductions in fatalities among employees in the construction and manufacturing industries, while employment in those industries increased. Unfortunately, COVID-19 work-related fatalities accounted for 33.8% of all work-related fatalities in North Carolina last year."  

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