State Report:

38 Died On The Job Last Year

WETHERSFIELD (AP) — The Connecticut Labor Department says 38 people died on the job in the state last year. That is the same number as in 2006, and it is below the national average.

Work injuries claimed nearly 5,500 lives nationwide in 2007, resulting in a rate of 3.7 deaths per 100,000 workers. Connecticut’s rate for last year was 2.1 deaths per 100,000.

Labor officials say the state’s rate is consistently below the national one because most of the jobs in Connecticut are in low-risk industries. Officials say they will continue to work with employers to address workplace hazards.

Of the 38 deaths in Connecticut last year, ten were from falls, nine were from violence, and nine were in transportation and material moving jobs. The deaths from violence included three suicides.