The U.S. Department of Labor has reported a sharp drop in fatal work injuries in 2008, both nationally and in California.
Nationally, the figures are 5,657 fatalities in 2007 compared with 5,071 in 2008 - an 11% drop.
In California the decrease was even more - 12.4% (461 in 2007 and 404 in 2008).
The national figure is the lowest since the Department began compiling such statistics in 1992.
Other key figures for 2008 from the report include:
Fatal work injuries in the private construction sector in 2008 declined 20%.
Fatal work-related falls, which had risen to a series high in 2007, also declined 20%.
Workplace suicides were up 28 percent, but homicides were down 18%.
Work injuries for 16-17 year-old rose from previous years.
To read the full report, including links to stats by state, industry and type of accident,
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CLICK HERE.