On-the-job fatalities rise in W.Va.

On-the-job fatalities in West Virginia rose nearly 72 percent last year.

Seventy-nine workers were killed on the job in 2006, up from 46 in 2005. It was the highest total for the state since the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ fatality census was first conducted in 1992.

Highway accidents continued to be the top on-the-job killer, accounting for 16 deaths, compared with 15 the year before. Nationwide, 23 percent of workplace fatalities resulted from highway accidents, the agency said.

Explosions accounted for 13 state workplace deaths, including 12 in the Sago mine disaster in January 2006 in Upshur County.

Nine workers died on the job from fires. Seven workers died after being struck by objects, up from five in 2005.

To be included in the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, a person had to be engaged in a legal work activity or present at the site of the fatal incident as a job requirement at the time of death.

On the Net:

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:
http://www.bls.gov/ro3/cfoiwv.htm

Topics Talent Virginia