Fatal Occupational Injuries: Ranking America’s Deadliest & Safest Jobs

February 23, 2024—A construction laborer in Mobile, Alabama, was guiding a massive 2,000-pound concrete pipe into position for a water and sewer line project. As he worked from within a deep trench, the person operating the excavator accidentally caused the suspended pipe to shift. In an instant, the laborer was crushed between the pipe and the trench wall, suffering fatal chest injuries.

September 8, 2022—A worker at an oil well site in Odessa, Texas, was removing wrist pins from the counterweights of a pump jack. As he hammered away, the counterweights unexpectedly rolled, trapping him in the rotating equipment. He was killed instantly.

These two real-life incidents offer just a glimpse into the harsh reality of workplace fatalities in the United States. Every year, thousands of workers lose their lives. Employers must do better, particularly in high-risk injuries like construction, oil extraction, and transportation. With the release of the latest Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries Summary, 2022 by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), we can analyze which industries and occupations demand the most attention.

U.S. Workplace Fatalities Increased in 2022

A life was claimed by a work-related injury every 96 minutes in 2022, according to BLS data.

2022 saw an increase in both the number and the rate of occupational fatalities in the United States. 5,486 workers lost their lives, an increase of 5.7% from 2021. The occupational fatality rate was 3.7 deaths per 100,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) workers, slightly up from 3.6 in 2021.

Several key trends emerged:

• Transportation incidents remained the top cause of workplace fatalities, responsible for 37.7% of deaths. This may include all types of motor vehicle collisions, as well as aviation, railroad, and maritime accidents.
• Transportation and material moving occupations saw the highest number of fatalities with 1,620 deaths in 2022. “Material moving occupations” generally refer to jobs that involve the transportation, loading, and unloading of materials, goods, or products within various industries.
• Construction and extraction workers followed with 1,056 deaths, an 11% rise from 2021. “Extraction workers” may include those employed in industries such as mining, oil and gas extraction, and quarrying, where they extract resources like oil, ores, and minerals.

The Most Dangerous States for Workers

Certain states consistently report occupational fatality rates far higher than the national average. Higher rates can be attributed to the prevalence of higher-risk industries, such as transportation or forestry, in the region.

In 2022, the states with the highest fatal injury rates were:

• Wyoming: 12.7 fatalities per 100,000 workers
• North Dakota: 9.8
• Mississippi: 6.9
• New Mexico: 6.8
• West Virginia: 6.8

Louisiana was close behind, with a fatal injury rate of 6.4.

Why Wyoming?

Looking at statistics from the past three years, we can see that Wyoming has consistently topped the list, with a fatality rate of 12.7 per 100,000 workers in 2022, 10.4 in 2021, and 13 in 2020. The state's economy is heavily reliant on high-risk industries like agriculture, transportation, mining, and construction—sectors that have some of the highest fatality rates nationwide. Factors such as long driving distances, remote worksites far from medical care, and challenging weather conditions have been cited as additional reasons for Wyoming’s high occupational fatality rate.

America’s Deadliest Industries & Occupations

We’ve reviewed which states have the highest fatality rates, but what about industries and specific occupations? As a reminder, the national average was 3.7 fatalities per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers in 2022.

The three most dangerous industries were:

• Farming, fishing, and forestry: 23.5 fatalities per 100,000 workers
• Transportation and material moving: 14.6
• Construction and extraction: 13.0

Occupations with the highest fatal work injury rates were:

• Logging workers: 100.7 fatalities per 100,000 workers
• Roofers: 57.5
• Fishing and hunting workers: 50.9
• Helpers in construction trades: 38.5
• Aircraft pilots and flight engineers: 35.9
• Drivers/sales workers and truck drivers: 30.4
• Refuse and recyclable material collectors: 22.6
• Structural iron and steel workers: 21.3
• Underground mining machine operators: 20.1
• Miscellaneous agricultural workers: 20

For more information, see our article Deadly Jobs: A Deep Dive into U.S. Worker Fatalities.

The Safest States & Occupations in the U.S.

Certain industries, occupations, and states consistently show lower rates of fatal workplace injuries, which not only reflects the prevalence of inherently safer workplaces and tasks but is also a direct indication of more effective safety measures.

Educational and health services was the safest industry in the United States in 2022, with just 0.8 fatalities per 100,000 workers. Retail trade came in second with 2.1 fatalities per 100,000 workers.

Occupations with the lowest fatal injury rates were:

• Office and administrative support: 0.6 fatalities per 100,000 workers
• Professional and related: 0.7
• Management, business, and financial operations: 1.3

The lower fatality rates in these industries and occupations can be attributed to the nature of the work itself. Jobs that involve sitting at a desk, working at a computer, or managing other professionals are inherently less dangerous than those requiring manual labor or the operation of heavy machinery, not to mention working outdoors.

Why Are Some States Safer than Others?

In 2022, the states with the lowest fatal injury rates were:

• Rhode Island: 1.4 fatalities per 100,000 workers
• Connecticut: 2
• Massachusetts: 2.4
• New Jersey: 2.7
• Oregon: 2.8

The consistently low rates in these states can be attributed to several key factors. Their economies are centered around lower-risk industries, such as healthcare, education, and professional services, rather than high-risk sectors like construction or agriculture. Their urbanized environments and smaller geographic sizes can provide more effective regulation and enforcement of safety standards. Additionally, these states benefit from strong safety training programs and, in some cases, a significant union presence, all of which contribute to safer working conditions and a lower risk of fatal injuries.

OSHA’s Role: Occupational Fatality Investigations & Citations

When a workplace fatality occurs, employers are required to report the incident to OSHA within eight hours. OSHA then investigates the incident to determine whether any violations of safety standards occurred. These investigations must be completed within six months, and OSHA decides whether to issue citations based on their findings.

Citations issued by OSHA can vary in severity and cost based on the violation. In the February 2024 construction accident in Mobile, OSHA issued two citations: one with a $9,795 penalty for failing to inspect rigging equipment, and another with no monetary penalty for using improperly marked lifting accessories. In the September 2022 oil well incident in Odessa, OSHA issued four citations totaling $15,746, addressing unprotected fall hazards, inadequate energy control, and unguarded machinery. These penalties were later reduced through settlements.

While occupational fatalities have decreased significantly since the 1970s, thanks to improved safety standards and enforcement, any workplace death is unacceptable. OSHA's role is crucial, but the agency simply doesn't have the resources to inspect every workplace or prevent every potential violation. Citations and fines, while important, are not sufficient punishment for employers whose negligence results in a worker's death.

No matter the industry, the location, or the occupation, one thing holds true: employers must provide safe workplaces for their workers. They must comply with OSHA standards and take proactive steps to protect their workers. It's not just about avoiding penalties—it's about ensuring that every worker goes home safely at the end of the day.

Every worker has the fundamental right to a safe job. No matter what.