Officials: Fatal Workplace Injuries Up Slightly In 2012

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – There was a slight rise in fatal workplace injuries in Minnesota last year compared to 2011, according to a report released Thursday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Officials said 70 people died last year in work-related incidents, which is 10 more than 2011's all-time low of 60. Workplace fatalities dropped nationwide in 2012 compared to 2011.

Officials said of Minnesota's 70 deaths, 28 were in transportation accidents, 14 came from contact with with objects or equipment and 11 were from violence or other injuries by people or animals. Across the nation, 41 percent of work-related fatalities came in transportation in 2012.

Sixty five of the 70 deaths in Minnesota were men, and 42 percent of those were in transportation.

The all-time high for work-related deaths in Minnesota came in 1993, when there were 113.