2014 marked the worst year for workers in Wyoming when 37 died on the job.  That benchmark marks the deadliest year for workers in Wyoming since 2007 when 48 died.  This data has been confirmed by the U.S. Department of Labor.

Meredith Towle – Occupational Epidemiologist for Wyoming suggest that there is a correlation between the number of workplace deaths and the number of active high risk jobs in the state.  Towle suggest that Wyoming’s downturn in energy may result in fewer fatalities in 2015.

Data for 2015 is still being collected by state and federal officials, however it appears that that fatalities for 2015 were lower than 2014.

As Wyoming’s 5th Annual Workers’ Memorial Day approaches, this report reminds laborers of the risks that can occur when they leave for work each day.  This is why it is imperative that safety rules and regulations be followed.

“Ranking first in workplace fatalities should not be acceptable to any of us,” Wyoming Trial Lawyers Association executive director Marcia Shanor said. “On this Workers’ Memorial Day, as we mourn the deaths of 37 of our friends and neighbors, we call upon our policy makers to take action. We have not done enough.

Wyoming continues to see a rise in unemployment in the energy industry, yet that does not mean that there will be less injuries or fatalities on the job.