Highways are top killer in report of on-the-job deaths in Oregon By BRENT HUNSBERGER, OregonLive.com
Last year's count is up from 41 in 2003 and well above the record low of 34 in 2001. But it remains below the 55 claims accepted on average each year during the 1990s, state officials said. The total for 2004 includes five deaths related to asbestos exposures occurring in previous years, one of them 40 years ago -- an unusual number for one year, state officials said.
The count might be higher, but some of the most at-risk workers aren't covered by the state system, including railroaders, longshoremen, taxi drivers, most fishermen, and even some police officers and firefighters.