Workplace suicides rose from 196 in 2007 to 251 in 2008, the most since the Bureau of Labor Statistics began conducting its workplace fatality census in 1992, the bureau reported in a preliminary report.
While workplace suicides rose 28 percent, homicides in the workplace fell by 18 percent to 517 last year.
Overall, 5,071 fatal work injuries were recorded in the United States in 2008, down more than 10 percent from and the lowest number since the workplace fatality census began in 1992.
The bureau says that economic factors likely played a role in the decrease in workplace fatalities, citing declines in hours worked and employment, especially in sectors that have historically accounted for a large portion of fatal workplace injuries. In addition, cutbacks at state governments may have delayed the processing of workplace fatality reports, the bureau notes.
Transportation incidents decreased from
2,351 in 2007 to 2,053 in 2008, according to the preliminary report. Transportation incidents account for 40 percent of all fatal work-related injuries in 2008.
Final results for 2008 will be released in April 2010.
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