U.S. workplace fatalities decline

WASHINGTON -- The number of workers killed on the job last year dropped about 2 percent even though employment was up, and construction work was the most deadly occupation, the Labor Department reported Tuesday.

Fatal work injuries last year decreased to 5,915 from 6,053 in 1999. On average, about 16 workers were fatally injured each day during 2000.

"We've made a lot of progress, but this report points to where we need to do better," said Labor Secretary Elaine Chao. "We want to promote compliance assistance and training to keep reducing workplace tragedies."

The leading cause of deaths of workers -- those in all lines of work -- was highway incidents, which fell for the first time since the report began in 1992, down 9 percent to 1,363.

Fatalities from electrocutions, fires and explosions, and contact with objects or equipment were down in 2000, but deaths from homicides and falls both increased.

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