Minn. Workplace Fatalities in 2006 Lower than Average

Seventy-eight people died from work-related injuries in Minnesota last year, a decrease of nine work-related deaths from the year before, the state Department of Labor and Industry announced on Thursday, Aug. 9th.

The 2006 figure was also slightly fewer than the average number of 79 deaths recorded annually from 2001 through 2005, the agency said. The agricultural industry had the most deaths, 23, while the construction industry recorded the second-highest number at 13.

Twenty-nine of the deaths resulted from transportation incidents, down from 34 the year before while 27 were the result of contact with objects or equipment, a slight increase from 26 the year before, the agency said.

Work fatalities are compiled by the U.S. Department of Labor.