Most work-related deaths in Washington caused by falls

EVERETT – Falls are the leading cause of work-related deaths in Washington state.

The Daily Herald of Everett reported that according to the Department of Labor and Industries, which held a memorial ceremony for the 84 people statewide who died in job-related deaths since November 2014, falls cause the most deaths followed by car crashes.

This year about half of the state’s fatalities involved workers 50 or older, which Department of Labor spokeswoman Elaine Fischer says is unusual because younger people generally work in high-risk professions such as logging, construction and manufacturing.

In addition to the memorial ceremony, the state produces an annual report on worker deaths. The deaths have been declining in Washington since the early 2000s.