Worker deaths decline in Oregon

Portland, OR – Worker fatalities in Oregon dipped to their lowest level in at least seven years in 2012, according to a new report from the Oregon Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation program.

The report states that 47 workers died in Oregon in 2012, representing a rate of 2.6 fatalities per 100,000 workers – well below the national rate of 3.4.

The 47 fatalities were down from the previous seven-year average of 64 deaths per year. Construction was the most common industry for worker fatalities in 2012, accounting for six deaths. Transportation and logging accounted for five deaths apiece, while four deaths occurred in retail trade.

Although worker fatalities decreased overall, the report highlighted several areas of concern. Construction fatalities were most common for the first time since 2007, even though construction employment decreased to 4.26 percent in 2012 from 6.0 percent in 2007.