The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics recently released its preliminary statistics for 2009, reporting a decline in work-related deaths in Washington State last year to numbers not seen since 2000.
The BLS, in its annual Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, reported 75 deaths in Washington State, down from 83 reported in 2008. Over the past decade, an average of 86 people per year died in Washington state from work-related injuries, according to the federal census, placing last year’s toll at well below the average. (WCxKit)
“We know much of this decline is likely due to fewer people working during this economic recession,” Labor & Industries Director Judy Schurke said. “But many industries have also worked hard to improve workplace safety and L&I has continued to increase its efforts in providing safety and health information to employers.”
These efforts include workshops throughout the state, free safety and health consultations and improving outreach among Spanish-speaking workers.
Workplace deaths in the construction industry, typically among the most hazardous professions in the state, had the most dramatic decline, with 9 fatalities in 2009, compared to 20 the year before. (WCxKit)
While deaths due to workplace violence nationally saw a slight decline, in Washington State, the numbers climbed with 14 on-the-job homicides in 2009. Several of those deaths involved the fatal shootings of law enforcement officers.
Author Rebecca Shafer, JD, President of Amaxx Risks Solutions, Inc. is a national expert in the field of workers compensation. She is a writer, speaker and website publisher. Her expertise is working with employers to reduce workers compensation costs, and her clients include airlines, healthcare, printing/publishing, pharmaceuticals, retail, hospitality and manufacturing.
Contact: RShafer@ReduceYourWorkersComp.com or 860-553-6604.
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