A workplace accident watchdog says the number of work-related deaths in Newfoundland and Labrador so far in 2009 is a concern.

There have been 41 work-related deaths in the province since Jan. 1.

"The year is not over yet, so it is very high," said Leslie Galway, the CEO of the Workplace, Health, Safety and Compensation Commission.

The number includes the 17 people who lost their lives when a Cougar helicopter crashed off St. John's in March. Galway said even when those deaths are taken out of the equation, there are still 10 other people who died in workplace accidents, and another 14 who died of job-related diseases.

She said in 2000, there were 38 work-related deaths in the province. By 2005, the number had dropped to 25. This year, she said, is looking worse.

"We didn't look good in 2005 and the number was 25 and we get up to this year and we're already at 41, we know we're quite a bit above the national average," Galway said.

She believes part of the problem is that the message of workplace safety hasn't been fully getting through to people.

"We do have to step back and we have to ask 'well, what is involved in these fatalities?' "

Galway said there is some good news. While the number of deaths has risen, she said the total number of accidents causing missed time at workplaces in the province is going down.