OCCUPATIONAL INJURY MORTALITY-RATES IN THE UNITED-STATES - CHANGES FROM 1980 TO 1989

Changes in occupational injury mortality rates over the 1980s were exa mined through analysis of the National Traumatic Occupational Fataliti es surveillance system. The US occupational injury mortality tate decr eased 37% over the decade, with decreases seen in nearly every demogra phic and employment sector. Greater declines were among men, Blacks, a nd younger workers, as well as among agricultural, trade, and service workers. Electrocutions, machine-related incidents, and homicides show ed the greatest decreases. Changes in occupational mortality rates by demography, industry, and cause of death indicate the areas in which t he most progress has been made and those that are prime targets for pr evention efforts.