North Dakota: Second Deadliest State to Work

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released the numbers for fatal work injuries in 2009, and North Dakota ranked the second deadliest state in the nation to work, per capita. The most deadly state to work in is Montana.

In 2008, North Dakota had 28 work-related deaths. The state had three fewer workplace deaths in 2009, but the national numbers also fell, pushing North Dakota from third to second. Nationally, there were 5,214 on-the-job deaths in 2008 and 4,340 in 2009.

Of the 25 North Dakota deaths last year, 11 were caused by transportation incidents, four from contact with objects and/or equipment, six falls, three were due to exposure to harmful substances or environments, and one death is undetermined.

In Montana, there were 50 work-related deaths in 2009: 22 were transportation incidents, 13 assaults and violent acts, seven from contact with objects and/or equipment, and three from exposure to harmful substances or environments. Neither state had deaths caused by fires or explosions.

What are the deadliest occupations nationwide?

So which occupations are the deadliest? If you guessed a military occupation, you are wrong. Military occupational deaths only comprise 2 percent of the total fatal work injuries in 2009.

The highest, at 23 percent, were transportation and material-moving occupations, and, of that 23 percent, 15 percent were motor vehicle operators.

The second deadliest occupation is that of a construction worker. However, construction worker deaths are down by 16 percent from 2008, and the year before showed a 19 percent decrease. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics contributes economic factors as one of the reasons for the fewer fatal work injuries, as construction workers are logging fewer on-the-job hours.

Am I going to be murdered at work?

People in the work force should be happy to hear that workplace homicides are down. In 2008, there were 526 murders at work, versus 521 in 2009.

Shooting one's co-workers was the most popular choice at 420. There were 48 stabbings, and 53 workplace homicides which were not categorized.

Does race matter?

Of the fatal work injuries that occurred in 2009, 70 percent were white. Only 1 percent were of American Indian or Alaskan Native descent.

Who is more likely to die on the job? Men or women?

Sorry guys, but, of the 2009 reported work deaths, 93 percent were men.

So, in summary, if you live in North Dakota or Montana, and you're a white male with a job in transportation, maybe you should consider finding another job.

Sources:

"Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries News Release", United States Bureau of Labor Statistics