Confined Space Fatalities - US Stats 2020

U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics released in 2020 showed some unexpected, sobering results. From 2011 - 2018 there were 1,030 people fatally injured in Confined Spaces in the U.S. The most common cause of death was engulfment (26%). This included trench collapse and engulfment in silos and bins.

Falls from one level to the next was the next highest cause of death (15%).

Inhalation of gases (12%) and fire / explosion (6%) were 3rd and 4th on the ranking for causing death. Past reports have suggested that gases were the leading cause of confined space deaths.

Tanks, bins and vats were the site for 31% of the confined space fatalities and Construction Labourers were at highest risk.