Fatalities Among Foreign-Born Workers in the U.S., 1992-2007

Background: In the United States, approximately 20% of all workers who died in 2007 were foreign-born. As foreign-born workers constitute a growing share of the U.S. labor force, it is expected their disproportionate share of workplace injuries and fatalities will continue. The objective of this study was to describe trends in occupational fatal injuries using a national active surveillance system for fatal work-related injuries. Methods: An analysis of fatal injuries among foreign-born workers in the U.S. occurring from 1992 through 2007 was conducted using the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries. Individual characteristics, employment characteristics, injury events and industry employment were summarized and evaluated for trends. Results: Both the number and proportion of foreign-born workers who died from a traumatic injury increased substantially over the time period studied. Among foreign born workers who died from 1992-2007 due to a work-related traumatic injury, the proportion who were men, aged 25-44 years, Hispanic, working for pay or compensation, employed by business establishments with 10 or fewer employees, working at private residences and working in Construction and Services consistently increased throughout the time period. Decreasing fatality proportions were observed among injuries occurring at public buildings, working in the Retail trade and as a result of Violence and Assault. Conclusions: While some trends among foreign-born decedents are improving, others are worsening. National surveillance databases provide an invaluable tool that allows public health agencies the opportunity and time to monitor the occupational health of a workforce that is difficult to study.