Iowa work-related deaths fall slightly in 2010

Work-related fatalities in Iowa edged down to 75 in 2010 from 80 the previous year, according to preliminary data released this week by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Highway accidents accounted for the highest number of Iowans dying in workplace-related incidents, 28 fatalities or 37 percent of the total. That's higher than the 21 percent of work-related deaths caused by highway incidents nationally.

From 2000 to 2006, the number of fatal highway accidents resulting in work-related deaths never exceeded 17. Since 2007, the number has never been below 28, and reached the series high of 34 in 2009.

Iowa workplace fatalities due to nonhighway transportation incidents were up from eight to nine in 2010, while those as a result of being struck by an object or equipment increased from six to seven. Work fatalities from falling to a lower level decreased from seven to five over the year.

Men accounted for 70, or 93 percent, of the work-related fatalities in Iowa last year,  according to the BLS.  Transportation incidents, which include highway, nonhighway, pedestrian, air, water, and rail, made up nearly three out of every five of the fatalities.

Ninety-two percent of those who died from a workplace injury in Iowa were white non-Hispanics. Nationwide, the group accounted for 72 percent of work-related deaths.

Workers between 25 and 54 years of age, the prime working age group, accounted for 30, or 40 percent, of the state's work-related fatalities in 2010. Nationally, workers in the same age group accounted for 60 percent of on-the-job fatalities.

Of the 75 occupational fatalities in Iowa, 61 percent worked for wages and salaries and the remainder were self-employed. The leading cause of death for both groups was transportation accidents.