Second Straight Year—

Work-Related Deaths In Connecticut Down Again

WETHERSFIELD (AP) — Work-related deaths were down for the second straight year in 2006, with 38 people killed on the job, according to new statistics from the Connecticut Department of Labor.

The most dangerous jobs in the state were in the transportation industry.

“While we are pleased that the number of work injury deaths has declined again this year, even one workplace fatality is one too many,” said state labor Commissioner Patricia H. Mayfield.

On average, 41 Connecticut residents die each year from work-related injuries.

The labor department said transportation accidents accounted for the largest number of on-the-job fatalities. There were 15 transportation-related deaths, accounting for about 40 percent of the total of deaths on the job.

Transportation deaths include automobile accidents, construction zone workers hit by vehicles, and workers hit by tractors or other equipment.

Assaults and violent acts took the lives of 10 workers, with the number evenly divided between homicides and suicides.

In Connecticut, men accounted for 84 percent of the work-related fatalities in 2006. Wage and salary workers accounted for 74 percent of deaths. The rest of those killed were self-employed.

The department said 13 fatalities were in transportation and material moving occupations, including tractor-trailer drivers, delivery drivers, and driving sales workers.

Connecticut had the most work-related deaths in 1998 with 57, followed by 55 in 2000 and 54 in 2004. The lowest recorded loss was in 1993 with 31 deaths.

Last year, work injuries took 5,703 lives nationwide, or 3.9 deaths per 100,000 workers. Connecticut had a fatal work injury rate of 2.2 per 100,000 workers.