by Paul V. Arnold

Work-related deaths at American manufacturing plants dropped 7.5 percent in 2000, reports the U.S. Labor Department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics in its recently released Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries.

Even with the decline, 668 plant employees lost their lives at work last year, an average of 1.8 per day.

A total of 722 work-related plant deaths were reported in 1999. The manufacturing industry averaged 720 work-related deaths from 1995-’99.

"Even one workplace fatality is too many," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao. "We’ve made progress, but this points to where we need to do better. We want to promote compliance assistance and training to keep reducing workplace tragedies."

Among all U.S. industries, 5,915 workplace fatalities were recorded last year, a 2 percent drop from 1999, when 6,054 were reported. The construction industry totaled the most fatalities last year, 1,154. Transportation and public utilities was second at 957. Services was third and manufacturing was fourth.

Among important statistics that encompass all industries:

• Deaths as the result of assault or violent acts rose 2 percent in 2000 to 929. Homicides accounted for 677 deaths, a 4 percent increase.

• Death through contact with objects and equipment fell 2.5 percent to 1,005.

• Deaths from falls rose 2 percent to 734. There were 110 fatal falls from ladders, a 1.5 percent increase from 1999. Falls from roofs (150) and scaffolds (85) dropped 2 percent and 7.5 percent, respectively.

• Electrocution deaths dropped 8.5 percent to 256. That is the category’s lowest fatality figure since the census’ inception in 1992.

To view the entire report, visit http://stats.bls.gov/oshhome.htm.

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