This study examined trends in occupational fatalities among members of United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW), represented bargaining units between 1973 and 2000. The UAW Health & Safety Department fatality database was created to track fatalities in 1973. For each registered case, job title, incident date, job status, job classification, sector, contact that caused death, initial contact, and task being performed prior to death were extracted. Employment by sector was estimated from membership data. A total of 454 deaths occurred during the study period. The annual average number of fatalities was approximately 17. The average case rate was 1.5 per 100,000. The largest percentage of deaths occurred between 1978 and 1985. Skilled trades workers represented 42.6% of the deaths. Employees of the major auto companies represented 67% of deaths while the remaining 33% were employed in parts suppliers, agricultural implement, aerospace industries and public employment. With the exception of the year 2000, the trend in the auto sector had shown a decrease in fatalities. The reverse was true for public sector employees. Public employment showed up as the highest risk sector of the UAW.
Learning Objectives: N/A
Keywords: Occupational Safety, Occupational Injury and Death
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.