Among the school district's 205 injury claims, 74 educators, custodians and other employees fell victim to slips or trips, city Safety and Training Officer Phil Cundiff said.

"That's the biggest injury we have," Cundiff said. "It's one of those simple things that people don't focus on."

Still, the school district saw a 14 percent drop in injury claims compared with the 2006-07 fiscal year, part of a citywide 9 percent decrease in workplace injuries. Since July 1, 2007, workplace injuries have cost the city $4,055,740, or about $262,336 less in medical costs and workers' compensation than last year, when the city spent $4,318,076 because of work-related injuries.

Last year's 563 injury claims were a 15-year low for the city, Cundiff said. The 2007-08 fiscal year ended June 30. Cundiff said the cost reduction shows fewer city employees were seriously harmed or needed surgery as a result of accidents.

"The dollars are pretty hard to control because that's up to the doctors," he said. "When the dollars are low, the severity of injuries are low. That's the part that makes you feel good."

Injuries related to the Board of Education cost the city $929,792 compared with $688,310 for the 2006-07 fiscal year. Cundiff attributed the increase to slips and falls. Some who were hurt fell over book bags in classrooms or items in the hallways, he said. Others were injured trying to break up fights between students, he said.

In total, the district lost 455 works days because of injuries, Cundiff said,

Among the high-risk civic professions, Cundiff said new equipment helped reduce injuries at the police and fire departments. Even with new gear, officers and firefighters still frequently slipped and fell, he said.

The police department reported 174 injuries, Cundiff said, also a 15-year low. Fifty-seven claims were from officers attempting to arrest combative people, Cundiff said. The next most common ailment, at 34, was slips, trips and falls, he said.

Cundiff hasn't overlooked the trend toward slips and falls. Working with each departments' safety committee, he said he plans to increase training sessions to educate city workers on how to avoid such accidents.

Police injuries made up more than a third of total costs to the city at $1,508,212, about $710,000 less than last year.

Police Capt. Tom Wuennemann, who handles the injury claims at the department, said he found that new equipment, particularly Tasers, helped reduce officer injuries. The department received its first batch of stun guns in July 2006 and has ordered more.

"There's a number of incidents where they've proven extremely effective," Wuennemann said. "It also acts as a deterrent. Once one person gets Tased, no one else wants to get Tased. "

Most of the 75 injuries at Stamford Fire & Rescue involved examinations for exposure to blood, because firefighters are also first-responders at accident scenes, Cundiff said.

Fire Chief Robert McGrath said the department didn't see many burns because better, costlier equipment lasted longer and reduced injury claims.

"We're cognizant of safety," McGrath said. "We buy the best tools. We take care of them. Everyone watches everyone else."

City Operations recorded about 57 injuries, another 15-year low, Cundiff said. New garbage trucks and Toter collection bins were introduced last year to reduce worker compensation costs related to lifting injuries, he said. The new bins feature a metal handle that hooks onto the back of the garbage trucks, so machines do most of the work.

Smith House, a skilled nursing facility, had about 30 injuries; about seven occurred when disturbed patients attacked caregivers, Cundiff said.

- Staff Writer Jeff Morganteen can be reached at jeff.morganteen@scni.com or at 964-2215.