Eighty-six

Washington workers died on the job in 2018, according to figures released in

February by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The

2018 work fatality rate was comparable to 2017. Workplace fatalities range from

a high of 128 in 1996, to a low of 56 in 2013. 

Nationally,

5,250 workers lost their lives on the job in 2018, up from 5,147 the year

prior.

The

state ranked ninth in the nation for worker safety based on a Business.org analysis

of work-related deaths tallied by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Washington

state recorded 84 fatal work accidents in 2017, 7.7 percent more than the year

earlier, for a score of 85.6. Scoring is based on workplace injuries per

100,000. 

The

Top 10 states for worker safety included New Hampshire, New Jersey, Rhode

Island, Nevada, Delaware, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Washington and

Virginia.

The

Top 10 most dangerous places for workers were North Dakota, Alaska, Vermont,

South Dakota, Mississippi, Wyoming, Montana, Washington D.C., West Virginia and

Louisiana.

“Business

owners face a lot of challenges when building a successful and thriving

business. Creating a safe workplace is one of those considerations that just

can’t be ignored. Fortunately, as a business owner, you can impact the safety

of the workplace,” the authors wrote.

Transportation-related

accidents were the leading cause of on-the-job deaths in Washington in 2018,

accounting for 29 fatal work incidents. 

Violence

and other injuries inflicted by people or animals accounted for 20 deaths.

Falls, slips and trips were the third most frequent cause of death, accounting

for 17 fatalities. 

Contact

with objects or equipment led to 13 deaths.