Work-related Compensable Fatalities, Oregon 2001

by Elizabeth Priddy

The number of work-related compensable fatalities in Oregon decreased from 45 in 2000 to a record-low 34 in 2001 (see Figure 1). Work-related fatalities are those fatalities which were accepted as compensable by an insurer during 2001, and for which the Department of Consumer & Business Services received notification by January 31, 2002.

Of the 34 work-related fatalities in 2001, 33 were men and one was a woman, compared to 42 men and three women in 2000. The median age of these workers was 43 years. The youngest worker killed was a 22-year-old truck driver who lost control of a truck carrying two tankers of bunker oil. The vehicle crashed into a rock embankment, flipped over, and was engulfed in flames. The oldest worker was a 77-year-old volunteer firefighter who fell while climbing a fence and died of complications related to the injury.

The transportation and public utilites industry accounted for the highest number of fatalities with seven, followed by logging with five fatalities (see Figure 2). The occupations with the most compensable fatalities were transportation operators and service occupations with seven each.

Transportation accidents resulted in the greatest number of compensable fatalities (15). These accidents include collisions, overturned vehicles, and fatalities in which workers were struck or pinned by a vehicle. This number also includes four workers who were killed in aircraft accidents, and four workers killed as pedestrians. Six workers were killed by being struck by an object. There were no fatalities that resulted from workplace violence in 2001.

Eight of the 34 fatalities in 2001 occurred out of the state of Oregon and six occured in Multnomah County. Seventeen of the workers killed had been employed for a year or less at the time of their injury, including six workers who were killed during the first month of employment. These fatalities indicate the need for training and supervision of all new employees.

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If you have questions, about the information contained in this document please contact by e-mail or phone: Elizabeth Priddy , Research Analyst, Research & Analysis Section, Information Management Division (503) 947-7061.

This web page was last revised: 05/31/2002