N.C. Workplace Deaths Dropped

The North Carolina Labor Department says workplace deaths dropped 29 percent statewide in 2007, down to 46 from 65 the year before.

The leading cause of workplace death was being crushed, with those accidents having claimed 18 lives last year.

Wake County reported the most fatalities with four, followed by Cumberland with three. Nine counties had two fatalities: Chowan, Durham, Forsyth, Franklin, Gaston, Guilford, Lee, Mecklenburg and Wilson. Twenty-one counties experienced only one fatality.

The department attributed the decline to state training programs such as four “construction blitzes” the state conducted last year. In those, officials made unannounced visits to construction sites to inspect scaffolds, harnesses and electrical cords.

Most fatalities occur on construction sites, where 20 people died.

Non-work-related fatalities involving medical conditions such as heart attacks and strokes aren’t included in these totals, the department said.