About the Data
These data are all deaths from serious work-related trauma and provide information about where and how workers have died. The use of these data can support work intended to prevent future serious injuries on the job. This data can be used to better understand what kind of workers are at risk. Police, fire fighters, EMTs, and hospitals all play a role in responding to these events.
As you look at data on this webpage, you may see differences among population groups. The differences are especially noticeable between white people and people of color.
These differences exist because of structural racism. These differences are NOT because of an individual’s choices, behaviors, or identity.
Systems of oppression, such as racism, cause harm to everyone. They also influence the social determinants of health (SDoH), which impact health outcomes. See Figure 1.
It is important to keep these notes in mind when looking at the data and using it to inform public health efforts.
If you decide to share these data, remember to use racial equity context and framing. The DPH Racial Equity Data Road Map is one resource that can help.
About Work-related Fatal Injury Data
Data on work-related fatal injuries in Massachusetts are compiled by DPH by industry, occupation, location, and cause. These data are collected from many sources in order to describe each death. These sources include death certificates, news articles, police reports, and incident reports from enforcement agencies like Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the National Transportation Safety Board, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and the Coast Guard. Data elements provided through the PHIT system include only publicly available data.