The number of construction workplace fatalities decreased 4% last year and the industry's death rate also went down, but construction still had the largest number of on-the-job fatalities of any occupation, according to the latest annual data from the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics. The most recent BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, released Aug. 10, says there were 1,186 private-industry construction deaths in 2005, down 4% from 2004. Construction's 2005 fatality rate improved to 11 per 100,000 workers, from 12 in 2004. Overall, the BLS data is encouraging, says Justin Crandol, senior director of safety and health services for the Associated General Contractors. He says the fatality rate decline is a good sign "because the work is still continuing to grow." BLS says deaths rose in 2005 for residential building, utility system and highway construction. But it says those increases were offset by declines in the specialty trade contractor segment, including a 44% decrease in roofing fatalities. Workplace fatalities among minorities in all industries increased. Among African-American workers, deaths rose 6%, to 577.