The latest yearly report shows the long-term downward trend continues for workers compensation claims in Minnesota. Labor and Industry Commissioner Ken Peterson says there are fewer workers injured on the job and it’s costing employers less to pay for it. Peterson says in 1997 the state had 176-thousand workers comp injuries and in 2014 there were 96-thousand — “a big drop.” Peterson credits better training and technology, plus greater awareness of safety on the part of employers as well as employees. He says construction is a little more dangerous than the average workplace, but a lot safer than it used to be — and Minnesota construction sites seem to be safer than in other states. But Peterson says construction is still dangerous work, pointing to last year’s fatal accident at U-S Bank Stadium.