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Workplace fatalities down

 A total of 5,702 fatal work injuries were recorded in the United States in 2005, down about 1% from the number recorded in 2004, according to figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The rate at which fatal work injuries occurred in 2005 was 4.0 per 100,000 workers, down slightly from a rate of 4.1 last year.

     BLS has conducted its National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries each year since 1992. Other key findings for 2005:

    • Fatal work injuries among workers under 20 years of age were up about 18% from the 2004 figure to 166 cases.
    • Fatal work injuries involving women were down 3% to 402 cases, the lowest total ever recorded by the fatality census
    • Fatalities among agricultural workers were up 23% from 145 in 2004 to 178 in 2005.
    • Fatal work injuries among Hispanic workers increased by 2% in 2005 to a new high, though the fatality rate was lower.
    • Fatal falls were lower by 7% after reaching a high in 2004.
    • While the number of fatal work injuries in private construction continued to be the most of any industry sector, the number of fatalities was 4% lower in 2005 than 2004.
    • There were 29 fatal workplace injuries attributable to hurricanes, though this total may rise as additional cases are identified and verified.

     The BLS figures also show twenty six states reporting lower numbers of fatal work injuries in 2005 than in 2004; 22 states and the District of Columbia with higher numbers; and two states unchanged. Four states reported increases of at least 20% (Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, and Wisconsin), while five states reported decreases of at least 20% ( Alaska, Hawaii, Nebraska, New Mexico, and West Virginia). Connecticut reported 46 fatal work injuries, down from 54 in 2004.