COVID is once again the leading cause of deaths at work in Washington

Washington state officials said this week that COVID-19 was responsible for about a quarter of the 106 work-related deaths reported in Washington in 2021.

Data from the Washington State Department of Labor and Industry shows that the coronavirus is the leading cause of deaths at work in the state for the second year in a row, according to The Seattle Times. informed.

26 people died in 2021 16 deaths related to transport and warehousing; 14 deaths related to public safety; 11 deaths related to agriculture; and 10 workers died in falls.

The total number of workplace deaths has decreased from 119 deaths in 2020.

The workers who died were healthcare workers, correctional workers, mechanics, gardeners and police officers aged 19 to 84, according to Labor & Industries.

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“While we believe the worst of the pandemic is behind us, we look back to another year when COVID was the leading cause of work-related deaths,” said Labor & Industries director Joel Sacks. “We must all do everything in our power to ensure that every worker returns home safe and sound at the end of the working day.”