News Currents

Wash. Reports 79 Workers Died on the Job

Seventy-nine workers died on the job in Washington in 2005, down from 93 in 2004, and 112 fatal workplace injuries in 1998, the state Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) reported.

According to L&I, the most common cause of death was motor vehicle accidents, followed by cases in which the victim was struck by an object, fell from elevation or suffered crushing injuries.

“While we are heartened that there were fewer workplace fatalities last year, even one death is too many,” said Gary Weeks, director of L&I, which oversees workplace safety and health.

“I firmly believe that most businesses want to do the right thing and prevent injuries and deaths, and we will continue to work with them as we balance effective education and outreach with enforcement, when it’s necessary,” Weeks said.