Oklahoma Reduced Occupational Deaths by 9%

Oklahoma workplaces had fewer fatalities in 2004 as transportation and trucking continued to claim the most lives, according to a report released Friday by the Oklahoma Department of Labor. Ninety-one job-related deaths occurred last year, a 9% drop from 2003, the labor department said. Transportation accidents again accounted for almost half of the workplace fatalities last year. Of these 44 incidents, 32 deaths resulted from highway accidents -- the same as in 2003. Labor Commissioner Brenda Reneau said, "Transportation-related fatalities remain the biggest challenge for safety professio...