- Wyoming tops the list as the state with the most fatal injuries
- The state in second place is North Dakota, followed by Mississippi
- Maryland takes 5th place as the safest place, reveals the study, before bridge incident
A new study has revealed that Maryland is one of the safest states in America for workers, according to fatality injuries.
A company specializing in fall protection, Edge Fall Protection, recently analyzed fatality injury rates using the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics data to find which states are the most dangerous and which states are the safest.
Michael McCarty, Chief Safety Officer at Edge Fall Protection, comments the following on the study and the recent Francis Scott Key bridge collapse event:
“Exploring the data from our latest study was both eye-opening and heart-wrenching. Seeing the numbers laid out like this isn’t just about stats on a page, but it is also a reminder that behind every number is a person, someone’s family member, friend, or colleague. Our findings bring attention to a reevaluation of workplace safety across the nation. Especially in states like Wyoming, North Dakota, and Mississippi, where the risks are alarmingly high, it’s clear we need to bridge the gap between existing safety protocols and the real-world needs of our workers.
A bridge collapse like the one in Baltimore, where workers were performing routine maintenance of filling potholes, is the most dramatic but also just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the risks construction workers face daily. These workers, often seen but overlooked by the passing public, are integral to the functioning of society, ensuring that the roads and bridges we rely on are safe and operational.
The construction industry is known for its high-risk environments, where the potential for deadly accidents is significant due to factors like working from heights without safety guardrails, operating heavy machinery, and, in this case, working on structures that may not be as sound as they appear such as in railyards. This tragic incident is a reminder of the dangers that surround construction workers and the importance of highlighting safety measures.”
The study clearly identifies where dangers can be found around the country, possibly due to gaps in safety measures or the types of jobs that dominate these areas.
- Wyoming – Wyoming tops the list with a fatal injury rate of 12.7, a reminder of the risks present in some of the state’s key industries, including agriculture, forestry, fishing, hunting, transportation, and utilities. Wyoming’s workforce faces significant hazards, opening up the need for a closer examination of safety practices.
- North Dakota – Following closely, North Dakota’s rate of 9.8 highlights the dangers in its booming oil, mining, construction, and agriculture sectors. Every fatal injury rate which occurred in North Dakota happened within the categories of agriculture, forestry, hunting, mining, quarrying and oil and gas extraction. There were zero fatality injuries in other areas due to the nature of work in the state. Their 9.8 figure reflects the importance of a call to action for improved safety measures and training for workers especially in more rural areas where help is not as easily accessible as manufacturing areas.
- Mississippi – With a rate of 6.9, Mississippi’s ranking shows the challenges in sectors such as manufacturing, construction, and wholesale trade. The highest incidence of fatal injury occurred within its construction industry. This serves as a wake-up call for improved regulatory oversight and safety education for those being hired for each individual construction project.
- New Mexico – Tied with West Virginia, New Mexico’s rate of 6.8 reflects risks in industries like oil and gas extraction. The data signals an urgent need for strategic safety interventions and support for workers in these industries.
- West Virginia – West Virginia’s coal mining industry is a significant contributor to its rate of 6.8. This score places a spotlight on the importance of safety technologies and protocols in mining operations. In addition, a high rate in their transportation and utilities sector calls for an overview of safety protocols in these areas.
- Louisiana – Louisiana’s rate of 6.4 is indicative of the dangers in the state within the mining, construction, manufacturing, and transportation sectors. This state has incidence of fatal injury rates in 7 of the 13 sectors which could be indicative of an overall issue with statewide workplace safety issues that should be addressed to prevent further issues.
- South Carolina – At a rate of 6.1, South Carolina’s positioning points to risks in construction and transportation and utilities. These areas which typically require consistent safety measures at various locations and worksites require significant safety training that may be lacking and leading to higher rates.
- Arkansas – Arkansas, sharing its rate with South Carolina at 6.1, faces challenges in industries like agriculture and manufacturing. But their highest reported injuries are in the transportation and utilities industry. This brings forward the need for safety measures to be put into place regardless of the differing worksites, as well as a potential oversight for less experienced workers.
- Nebraska – Nebraska’s agricultural backbone is reflected in its rate of 5.8. While agriculture causes the highest fatal injury rates in the state, it is followed closely by transportation and utilities, and construction. These scores make a point of the necessity for improved safety measures in farming operations and related industries as well as ensuring that less experienced workers are supervised until they understand safety measures in various situations.
- Tennessee – Rounding off the list, Tennessee’s rate of 5.7 shines a light on the dangers in the agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting sectors. This state is in the top 5 for agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting fatal injury rates, followed by construction, wholesale and retail trade, leisure and hospitality, and manufacturing. Though because the other areas are relatively low comparatively, intense focus should be put into the agriculture industry and making sure proper safety training is completed in these areas.
Top 10 Most Dangerous States
| State | Injury Rates |
| Wyoming | 12.7 |
| North Dakota | 9.8 |
| Mississippi | 6.9 |
| New Mexico | 6.8 |
| West Virginia | 6.8 |
| Louisiana | 6.4 |
| South Carolina | 6.1 |
| Arkansas | 6.1 |
| Nebraska | 5.8 |
| Tennessee | 5.7 |
Top 10 Safest States
| State | Injury Rates |
| Rhode Island | 1.4 |
| Connecticut | 2.0 |
| Massachusetts | 2.4 |
| New Jersey | 2.7 |
| Maryland | 2.8 |
| Oregon | 2.8 |
| New Hampshire | 2.8 |
| Minnesota | 2.8 |
| California | 2.9 |
| New York | 2.9 |
Methodology:
Data from the US Bureau of Labor and Statistics was gathered for all states regarding injuries, illnesses, and fatalities. The fatal injury rates are recorded by state of incident and industry. Once the data was gathered, it was then ranked from highest to lowest to determine which state reported the highest number of incidents and the lowest number of incidents.
About the Company:
EDGE offers a full line of fall protection systems and safety products to a diverse customer base nationwide ranging from OSHA-approved safety railings, horizontal lifeline systems, davit cranes, rigid rail, and fall restraint systems. Their team also offers turnkey installation services and anchor inspection / testing. They can advise on the latest OSHA regulations and state-specific rules such as Cal-OSHA.
