The number of workplace fatalities in Oregon involving violence tripled in 2007, according to a recently released annual report (.pdf file) from the Oregon Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation at the Portland-based Oregon Health and Science University.
In 2007, nine fatal violent incidents occurred, compared with three in 2006, the report said. A large percentage of the cases were associated with agriculture, and victims ranged in age from 18 to 57.
Another trend identified was an uptick in fatal falls, which doubled to 12 in 2007 from six in 2006 — more than half occurred in construction. The report noted a new pattern of fall deaths among young workers, who accounted for at least three of the incidents.
