Workplace deaths in state dropped in 2015; falls were the main killer

The state Department of Labor & Industries this week released its 2015 report concerning workplace deaths in Washington.

Among the data:

▪ Only 2011 and 2013 recorded fewer annual workplace deaths than in 2015, when the state saw 58 work-related deaths, 18 fewer than in 2014.

▪ Workplace deaths have annually declined by about 3.5 percent since 2006, when 90 incidents were recorded.

▪ Among workplace deaths in 2015, 21 percent of workers were Hispanic; 15 percent were 20 to 29 years old; 50 percent were over 50 years old; and 91 percent were male.

▪ Five workers were tree fallers, four were truck drivers and three wildland firefighters died in a single incident.

▪ The agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting industries accounted for 15 deaths; construction for nine; manufacturing for eight; and seven for public administration. Other industries included waste management and remediation, transportation and warehousing; retail trade; other services; wholesale trade and professional services.

▪ Falls were the leading cause of death, with 15 fatalities; followed by motor vehicle incidents; machine-related incidents; struck-by-object, especially in the forestry sector; homicide; air transportation; poisoning; drowning; suicide; and water transportation.

▪  Six of the state’s fatalities occurred in Pierce County; one in Thurston County; and 11 in King County.

This story was originally published April 15, 2016 at 3:43 PM with the headline "Workplace deaths in state dropped in 2015; falls were the main killer."