Unions: Connecticut is ranked No. 11 in US in workplace deaths

Connecticut ranked 11th among the states in its fatality rate in 2018 as injuries and illnesses outpaced the United States, according to a report by organized labor.

The AFL-CIO report, “Death on the Job: The Toll of Neglect, 2020,” features national and state information on workplace fatalities, injuries, illnesses, the number and frequency of workplace inspections, penalties, funding, staffing and public employee coverage under the Occupational Safety and Health Act.

It also includes information about the state of mine safety and health and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Number of workplace fatalities: 48. Most were in transportation incidents (19), followed by falls (10), assaults and violence (8), exposure to harmful substances or environment (6) and contact with objects and equipment (5).

Rate per 100,000 workers: 2.8

National rate: 3.5

Ranking of state fatality rate: 11

Total cases of workplace injuries and illnesses in the private industry: 37,200

Rate per 100 workers: 3.2 National rate: 2.8

Total injury and illness cases with days away from

work, job transfer or restriction in the private industry:

22,000

Rate per 100 workers: 1.9

National rate: 1.6

Number of workplace safety and health inspections conducted: 854 (341 in construction and 513 in other industries)

Average penalty assessed for serious violations of the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act. 2019: $3,211. National average: $2,819

Number of employees:

1,673,925

Number of establish

ments: 120,825