Workplace deaths in Colorado fell 13 percent in 2007, led by a decline in highway crashes.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor said 119 people died on the job in Colorado last year, compared with 137 in 2006. Highway crashes accounted for 30 percent of fatalities but still fell to 36, from 42 a year earlier.
The number of workers killed after being struck by an object or piece of equipment fell to 11, from 13, but those fatally struck by a vehicle or mobile piece of equipment rose to 11, from five.
There were 11 on-the-job homicides in 2007, the same as in 2006.
Nationally, work-related fatalities fell 6 percent last year. There were 5,488 deaths on the job nationwide last year, the lowest level since the government began keeping count in 1992. There was a spike, however, in oil-industry-related deaths, according to published reports, reflecting expansion in drilling.
In Colorado, two industry sectors made up 45 percent of the workplace fatalities. There were 28 construction deaths and 25 transportation and warehousing deaths. In terms of vocations, motor-vehicle operators accounted for the most, with 29 deaths.
Colorado’s workplace fatalities have loosely followed the rise and fall of the economy over the past decade. Fatalities hit a peak of 139 in 2001, fell to 102 by 2003 and then rose steadily until last year.
Whether the fall in highway deaths was related to higher gas prices, and thus less work-related driving, is unclear.
The decline in work-related highway fatalities nationwide was less pronounced, and total highway miles driven in the country last year rose slightly. But it may be that the economic downturn and high gas prices reduced work-related miles driven.
Greg Griffin: 303-954-1241 or ggriffin@denverpost.com
Numbers
119 On-the-job deaths in Colorado in 2007, down from 137 in ’06
6% Decline nationally in work-related deaths, to 5,488 last year
139 Colorado’s record high for on-the-job deaths, in 2001
