New Jersey Workplaces Among Safest in US, But Dangers Remain

The state has one of the nation's lowest workplace fatality rates, but some high-risk industries still pose risks.

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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New Jersey has one of the nation's lowest workplace fatality rates, with 81 deaths in 2023 - half the national rate. This is partly due to the state's economy having fewer jobs in high-risk industries like oil drilling, mining, and logging. However, the state still saw at least two recent workplace deaths, highlighting the dangers that remain in certain professions.

Why it matters

Workplace safety is a critical issue that impacts workers, employers, and communities. While New Jersey's overall safety record is strong, understanding the specific risks and industries that pose the greatest dangers can help inform policies, training, and prevention efforts to further improve worker protections.

The details

New Jersey's 2023 workplace fatality rate of 1.8 per 100,000 employed people was the second-lowest nationwide, trailing only Rhode Island. This marked an improvement from 2022, when the state had 116 deaths, or 2.7 per 100,000. However, the state still saw at least two recent workplace deaths, including a 71-year-old man who died at a chemical plant in Linden and a 26-year-old man hit by a vehicle while exiting a shipping container in Woodbridge. Experts say states with more industrial economies and rural areas tend to have higher workplace fatality rates, as they often have high-risk industries and may be harder for emergency services to access.

  • In 2023, New Jersey had 81 workplace fatalities.
  • In 2022, New Jersey had 116 workplace fatalities, the highest rate in nearly two decades.
  • On January 19, 2026, a 71-year-old man died at Infineum's Bayway Chemical Plant in Linden.
  • On January 21, 2026, a 26-year-old man died after being hit by a vehicle while exiting a shipping container in Woodbridge.

The players

Team Law

A New Jersey personal injury law firm that published a report on workplace safety in the state.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

The federal agency that tracks workplace fatality data nationwide.

AFL-CIO

The largest federation of unions in the United States, which also publishes reports on workplace safety.

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What they’re saying

“States with high-risk industries, like oil drilling, logging, mining and construction, often see more fatalities.”

— Team Law, Law firm (Team Law report)

“Ongoing safety training tailored to each industry helps workers stay alert to hazards and equips them to handle new challenges as they arise.”

— Team Law, Law firm (Team Law report)

What’s next

The judge in the Linden chemical plant death case is expected to rule on whether the employer faces any penalties or citations related to the incident.

The takeaway

While New Jersey has made progress in workplace safety, the state's economy still includes some high-risk industries that require ongoing vigilance and investment in safety training and prevention programs to protect workers and reduce fatalities.