U.S. reports decline in workplace fatalities

News promising, but Washington vows to continue ‘strong enforcement’ of workplace safety laws

Preliminary results from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries released on Aug. 19 show a decline in workplace fatalities in 2009 compared with 2008.

Last year, 4,340 workers died from work-related injuries, down from a final count of 5,214 fatal work injuries in 2008.

“A single worker hurt or killed on the job is one too many,” said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "While a decrease in the number of fatal work injuries is encouraging, we cannot and will not — relent from our continued strong enforcement of workplace safety laws.”

As the economy regains strength, Solis vowed the Department of Labour would remain vigilant to ensure workers are kept safe.

“After all, as I've said before, no job is a good job unless it is also safe," she said.

Latest stories