Virginia Workplace Fatalities Hit New Low in 2010

The number of workplace fatalities in Virginia last year fell to the lowest level since the state began reporting such data in 1992.

The Virginian-Pilot reports the number of fatalities fell to 104 from 119 in 2009.

The state Department of Labor and Industry says the number of fatal transportation incidents increased to 54 in 2010 from 44 the year before.

Meanwhile, the number of workplace deaths related to assaults and violent acts fell to 17 from 31. Nine of the deaths last year were suicides and eight were homicides.

Deaths related to exposure to harmful substances or environments rose to 9 from 7 the year before.