The U.S. Department of Labor’s Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health, Doug Parker, has issued the following statement in regard to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ release of its 2023 Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries on Dec. 19, 2024:

The "report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics is more positive news for worker safety and health. In November, the bureau reported a 20-year low in the rate of non-fatal worker injuries and illnesses in 2023, and we are further encouraged by the news that the number and rate of fatal worker injuries also dropped in 2023.

“I believe the Biden-Harris administration’s worker-centered approach of stronger enforcement combined with our numerous collaborations with employers and labor to embrace health and safety as core values are making a difference. Whether it is our enforcement initiatives, our promotion of workplace safety and health management systems, or our initiatives to support workplace mental health and safe driving and prevent worker drug overdoses, it all makes a difference in saving lives at work. 

“There was a meaningful decline in the number of fatal injuries to Black workers of 10.2 percent, and the rate for Latino workers dropped from 4.6 to 4.4 per 100,000 workers. Addressing high rates among these populations and recognizing the disproportionate impact of work hazards on workers of color enable more workers to end their shifts safely.

“Despite these promising trends, there is more work to be done. In 2023, 5,283 workers lost their lives. That means a worker dies every 99 minutes. Every worker’s death is a profound tragedy that leaves a lasting void for families, friends, co-workers and communities. We can and we must do better.”