The Wyoming Department of Workforce Services’ Research & Planning section reported a notable increase in occupational fatalities for 2023, County 10 reports.
The number of workplace deaths rose from 34 in 2022 to 45 in 2023, reflecting an increase of 11 fatalities, or 32.4%.
The increase in workplace deaths does not necessarily indicate a decline in workplace safety. Factors such as the random nature of accidents, as well as the inclusion of homicides and suicides that occur at work, contribute to year-to-year fluctuations.
Workplace fatalities are counted based on the location of the injury rather than the worker’s residence or the location of death. This ensures accurate tracking of incidents within state boundaries.
In 2023, nearly 38% of occupational fatalities occurred in the natural resources and mining sectors, accounting for 17 deaths:
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting: 9 deaths (20.0% of total fatalities)
- Mining, quarrying, and oil & gas extraction: 8 deaths (17.8%)
Transportation and warehousing recorded 13 fatalities (28.9%), and the construction industry saw three deaths (6.7%).
Transportation incidents were the leading cause of workplace fatalities, making up two-thirds of all deaths (66.7%) in 2023. These incidents include highway crashes, pedestrian vehicular incidents, aircraft crashes, and water vehicle incidents.
The fatality data is compiled by the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) program, a joint initiative between the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services’ Research & Planning section and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The CFOI methodology includes:
- Data from OSHA reports, workers’ compensation, vital records, coroner’s reports, media reports, and police crash reports
- Coverage of regular employees, volunteers, and self-employed individuals
- Collaboration with other states to include relevant data on interstate incidents
The CFOI program’s figures may differ from those of other agencies, such as OSHA, due to variations in scope and methodology.
