In total, 745 truck drivers died from fatal work injuries during the year, the DOL says. Additionally, there were 1,264 total work-related deaths on roadways in 2015, including workers struck by vehicles. Nearly half of these (629) involved a semi, tractor-trailer or tanker truck, the report states.
The occupation category with the next most workplace deaths was construction workers with 694 fatalities.
The transportation industry as a whole – which includes air transportation workers, motor vehicle operators and material moving workers – accounted for 1,301 workplace deaths. The U.S. total of 4,836 workplace fatalities in 2015 was the highest since 2008’s 5,214 workplace fatalities.