Helena -The 2022 Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, released recently by the Montana Department of Labor & Industry, presents an annual examination conducted in collaboration with the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, focusing on tracking workplace fatalities. According to the report, Montana recorded 25 fatal work-related injuries in 2022, a notable decrease from the 40 reported in 2021.
This fatality census, a nationwide effort, is an integral component of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics safety and health statistics program. It offers a comprehensive tally of fatal work injuries across all 50 states and the District of Columbia, contributing to the shared commitment to enhance workplace safety.
Among the 25 reported fatalities, 24 occurred in the private industry, while one took place in the government sector. The leading cause of fatal occupational injuries in Montana in 2022 was transportation incidents, accounting for 11 cases or 44% of the fatalities. These incidents encompassed a range of events, including aircraft and train incidents, vehicle-related accidents, pedestrian vs. vehicle incidents, collisions between vehicles, and non-collision incidents such as jack-knifing or overturns of vehicles. The term “vehicles” covered various types, such as fire trucks, semi-trucks, automobiles, passenger vehicles, animal-powered vehicles, on-road or off-road terrain vehicles, farm tractors, or industrial tractors.