SPRINGFIELD, IL – For the first time in five years, the number of Illinois workers killed on the job increased in 2001, the Illinois Department of Public Health today reported.

There was a total of 231 workplace deaths in 2001 compared with 206 in 2000, 208 in 1999, 216 in 1998 and 240 in 1997, according to the Department's 10th annual census of fatal occupational injuries. Since 1992, when the Department began collecting occupational deaths, the highest number recorded was 262 in 1996.

Nearly one-third of the fatalities in 2001 were caused by transportation incidents, including collisions, non-collisions and pedestrians struck by a vehicle.

Based on the number of deaths recorded by occupation, farming had the most fatalities in the state last year with 28 deaths, followed by motor vehicle operators and construction trades, with 26 each. In 2000, motor vehicle operators had the most fatalities with 29.

Construction and transportation/public utilities were the industries with the most fatalities in 2001, 48 and 35, respectively, and accounted for more than one-third of the total deaths. In construction, 31 deaths were special trades contractors, which include electrical and plumbing work, roofing and siding. In 2000, the construction industry had the highest number of workplace deaths with 47 and the transportation/public utilities industry followed with 38.

Fatal workplace injuries were highest among men (205 deaths, 89 percent), workers 35 to 44 years of age (60 deaths, 23 percent) and whites (203 deaths, 88 percent). Twenty-three percent of those who died in 2001 (54) were self-employed, up slightly from 22 percent in 2000 (44).

Highway incidents, with 35 deaths, were the leading event cause of workplace fatalities. Other leading events included homicide (34), falls to a lower level (33), non-highway incidents, except rail, air or water (22) and being struck by an object (15).

The Department's fatal injury census is part of an effort by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics to provide a complete count of fatal work injuries in all 50 states. In Illinois, records are compiled by the Department from a variety of sources, including death certificates, worker's compensation reports, U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports and news media accounts.

The deaths are grouped in various categories including industry, occupation, event, sex, race and age.