WASHINGTON (PAI) - The rate of workplace injuries and illnesses declined slightly in 2005, the Labor Department reported, citing numbers from the the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)

The BLS reported 4.6 cases of non-fatal workplace injuries and illnesses per 100 private sector workers last year, down from 4.8 cases per 100 workers in 2004. "The rate resulted from a total of 4.2 million nonfatal injuries and illnesses in private industry workplaces during 2005, relatively unchanged compared to 2004, and a 2 percent increase in the number of hours worked," BLS added.

Construction workers suffered 6.3 cases of illness or injury per 100 workers in 2005 - the highest rate in goods-producing industries - with little change from the year before. The highest rate of injury in the industry was among masons - 13.4 cases per 100 workers. Individual trades - roofers, plumbers, electricians painters and masons - accounted for 64 percent of all construction workers injuries.