Business briefs

On-the-job fatalities in 2009 lowest since 1992

The number of workers who died on the job fell by 17 percent last year to the lowest level in nearly two decades, as workers logged fewer hours during the recession, the Labor Department said Thursday. The 4,340 workplace fatalities recorded in 2009 was the smallest total since the Bureau of Labor Statistics first began tracking the data in 1992. It's the second straight year that fatal work injuries have reached a historic low, following a 10 percent drop in 2008. High unemployment and layoffs in more dangerous industries like construction played a major role in the decrease, the agency said. The construction unemployment rate is 17.3 percent, nearly double the overall jobless rate of 9.5 percent. Workers on average logged 6 percent fewer hours last year than in 2008. Labor Secretary Hilda Solis called the decrease encouraging and pledged to continue her agency's stepped-up enforcement of workplace safety laws. For the second straight year, commercial fishing was the deadliest occupation in the country, with a fatality rate about 60 times higher than the average rate for all workers.

Sears Holdings Corp. reports disappointing second quarter

Sears Holdings Corp. cut its second-quarter loss by more than half as profit margins perked up at its Kmart chain, the retailer led by billionaire Edward Lampert said yesterday. Still, the company's results fell short of expectations. Weak shopper spending and increased competition, especially on food, led to a revenue decline. Sears shares dropped $6.22, or 9.2 percent, to $61.03. Kmart, long considered an also-ran behind heavyweights like Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Target Corp., had shown signs of resilience as the economy headed south. But in the three-month period ended in late July, the bigger competitors fought back. "Competition really did ramp up this quarter," said Morningstar analyst R.J. Hottovy. "And retailers are fighting each other for a share of consumers' wallets." For the quarter ended in late July, the owner of Sears and Kmart lost $39 million, or 35 cents per share. That's better than last year's loss of $94 million, or 79 cents per share last year. Excluding one-time adjustments the current quarter's loss amounted to 19 cents per share. Revenue slipped slightly to $10.46 billion, down from $10.55 billion last year.

Hicksville company recalls more herb supplement

Hicksville-based J&H Besta Corp. is recalling an additional lot of Slim-30 Herb Supplement because it contains weight-loss ingredients that have not been approved for the product. The company said the product was found by Food and Drug Administration lab analysis to contain N-Desmethyl sibutramine and traces of sibutramine, drugs used as an appetite suppressant for weight loss. The Food and Drug Administration has not approved this product, so its safety and effectiveness is unknown. Also, sibutramine can substantially increase blood pressure and pulse rate in some patients and might be a risk for patients with a history of coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, arrhythmias or stroke. No illnesses or injuries have been reported. The product, marketed as a natural herb for weight loss, was sold online and to distributors and retail stores nationwide. The affected code is 6032101. Consumers should not consume the Slim-30 Herb Supplement and should return it immediately to the place of purchase for a full refund. The company recalled Lot 032009 in July. For more information consumers can call 516- 735-1436. - Wire and staff reports