Wyoming Is Still The Most Dangerous State For Workers

Most Wyoming jobs are not for the faint of heart. They are rugged and hard. They are also dangerous.

Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has found that Wyoming's injury and fatality rates are 11 to 13 deaths per 100,000 full-time workers. Those numbers are nearly three to four times the national average of 3.3 to 3.5 deaths per 100,000 workers. Wyoming is the most dangerous state for workers per capita, followed closely by North Dakota and Alaska.

This is not a time to cheer that we are #1.

This makes sense when you see the kind of work that is typical in Wyoming. From various construction jobs, which go way beyond just housing, to ranching, farming, coal, gas, and oil extraction and refining.

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The trucking industry has its fair share of injuries due to long distances on fast highways and Wyoming's rugged system of back roads.

The weather makes all of these industries even harder and more dangerous.

There are more fatal incidents involving older workers in Wyoming as an aging population of people still trying to do work that is best suited for younger men.

It's not that the state itself is the problem; it's the industries that Wyoming hosts. Wyoming is a wonderful place to live. Local workers go into the field every day, knowing full well what they are up against. But it is a type of work that they love.

Some regulations have helped in the workforce, but it is also recognized that too much regulation can actually make a workplace less safe. Proper training by experienced employees and vigilance are keys to safety.

Still, some jobs are just more dangerous than others.