LANSING - Michigan's construction worker fatalities jumped in 2008, but remains at a historically low level compared to previous years.

There were 15 construction workers fatalities on the job in 2008, compared to 11 in 2007, which was a record low for deaths recorded by MIOSHA. In recent years in Michigan the single-year high was 37 construction fatalities in 1997, and the lows were 17 (both in 1995 and 2005).

"I think you probably have to look at lower work levels," said Patty Meyer, safety manager for the MIOSHA Construction Safety and Health Division, referring to the slower economy to help explain the relatively low fatality count. "A lot of it might be the lack of work in residential."

The leading causes of fatalities in 2008 were the usual suspects: falls (five); struck-by or crushed (four), and electrocution (three). "Fall protection continues to be our number one area of emphasis," Meyer said.

Meyer said this year, MIOSHA will begin to track the number of fatalities vs. the amount of employees and work going on in the field, in an attempt to statistically get a better handle on that ratio.

In addition, in a new program, MIOSHA's Construction Safety and Health Division is slowly going to roll out the Michigan Volunteer Protection Program for Construction. Already similarly used with employers in general industry in Michigan and in other states, the program will rely on partnerships with contractors that have a proven track record of safety. Employers that meet strict safety criteria and record-keeping will eventually be allowed to be exempt from safety inspections on certain jobs.

Meyer said the state will be "taking baby steps," on implementing this program, and said it's too early to talk about which contractors would be involved. (Although big general contractors like Barton-Malow, Walbridge and Skanska, among others, have been working closely with MIOSHA on top-flight safety programs on several projects in recent years).

On those projects, MIOSHA, owners, contractors and union representatives sign a pledge to work together on safety, moving away from traditional enforcement methods to collaborative agreements. She said one of the advantages for those chosen companies is they would able to use that status as a marketing tool. MIOSHA inspectors could then focus their energies on construction jobs and contractors more likely to have safety problems.

Those collaborative agreements and an improved safety culture on many Michigan job sites may have be reflected in injury and illness rates in construction. While 2008 numbers won't be available until much later this year, MIOSHA reports that from 2001 through 2007, the injury and illness rate in the construction industry dropped from 8.9 to 5.8 per 100 full-time workers - a 35 percent decrease. MIOSHA's goal has been to lower injury and illness rates by 20 percent.

Started in 1974, MIOSHA has saved construction workers' lives: In the 1960s, an average of 44 Michigan construction workers were killed on the job every year.