Nov 16, 2010 By Lee Bowman And Lisa Hoffman scripps Howard News Service 2 min read

One positive effect of the crummy economy: The number of work-related injuries and illnesses dropped last year. In fact, they were down about 9 percent overall nationally – mirroring the unemployment rate. In a report released Tuesday, the Bureau of Labor Statistics said the biggest decline – more than 20 percent – was registered by workers in construction and production trades, which the agency noted have been particularly hard hit by the continuing recession.

Some occupations bucked the trend. The incidence of injury and illness rose 24 percent for light- or delivery-truck drivers, and 20 percent for restaurant cooks, according to the BLS survey.

For the first time, the bureau reported the injury and illness tolls on state and local government workers, and they exceeded that of private industry workers last year. In the private sector, the incidence rate was 106 cases per 10,000 full-time workers, while it was 180 cases per 10,000 state government employees, and 185 cases for those in local government.

One reason: the state and local government ranks include substantial numbers of police, fire fighters, prison guards and other high-risk workers.

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If members of the next Congress don’t see eye to eye on many issues, it won’t be for want of optical medical attention.

Two of the seven physicians added to the ranks of lawmakers in the upcoming 112th Congress are ophthalmologists – Sen.-elect Rand Paul, R-Ky., and Rep.-elect Nan Hayworth, R-N.Y.

And if anyone needs a prescription upgrade, Sen.-elect John Boozman, R-Ark., an optometrist moving up from the House, may be able to help.

Dems prone to teeth-grinding can turn to two newly elected GOP dentists, Reps.-elect Alan Nunnelee of Mississippi and Steve Sutherland of Florida.

In all, there will be a total of 20 physicians in the 112th, up from 16 in the current Congress. Only two are Democrats – Del. Donna Christensen of the Virgin Islands and Rep. Jim McDermott of Washington.

E-mail Lee Bowman at bowmanl@shns.com and Lisa Hoffman at hoffmanl@shns.com.