Today the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released a report showing a decline in worker fatalities.

The rate of worker fatalities has declined by 6% from 2006 to 2007, based on a Bureau of Labor Statistics report released on August 20, 2008. The report released by BLS is using preliminary numbers due to final data for 2007 not being released until April 2009.  Based on the preliminary report, fatal injuries reduced nation wide from 5,840 fatalities to 5,488.

US Labor Secretary Elaine Chao responded to the report stating:

“This is continued evidence that the initiatives and programs to protect workers’ safety and health, designed by and implemented in this administration, are indeed working. In addition to a decline in the overall number of fatalities, the rate for 2007 declined to 3.7 fatalities per 100,000 workers. This is the lowest fatality rate in recorded OSHA history.”