Seventeen workers die on the job every day, according to the American Society of Safety Engineers.

Professors at the University of Minnesota Duluth say "education" is the way to put an end to this tragic problem.

Laura Langemo tells us about the Environmental Health and Worker Safety Program.

Tragically, 10 Northlanders were buried this year after losing their lives on the job.

Worker safety is an issue recognized as a priority by the federal government, but there's more to it than just meeting the requirements of the National Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

The University of Minnesota Duluth says keeping workers safe is a science - one that is studied in the Environmental Health and Worker Safety Program.

"There is a need to consider safety whenever you are doing something. It takes people to understand and know what needs to be done in order for it to be done safely."

The Environmental Health and Worker Safety Program is an intensive one-year Masters program.

It began back in the 1970's and has had about 700 graduates.

"It provides the education we need and the learning skills and then also goes on to give us hands on experience which will prepare us for real jobs."

According to the American Society of Safety Engineers, nearly 50 workers are injured every minute of every work week. It's unfortunate and it's expensive.

Worker's compensation costs have skyrocketed, reaching $1.5-billion a year.

"We teach that safety is a good business sense and that safety is a part of the job and it's a part of the business itself."

Even though business is a vital aspect of the curriculum, the program's ultimate goal is to save lives.

"As a safety professional, you learn that it's really about the worker and how he should leave that day in the same condition he got to work."

In Duluth, Laura Langemo the Northlands NewsCenter.

U-M-D officials are still accepting applications for the Environmental Health and Worker Safety and Program.

Also any business that needs help with worker safety is encouraged to contact U-M-D for assistance.