Most (and Least) Dangerous States for Workers

 

• Oregon ranks first in worker fatalities and second in the number of injuries and illnesses, making it the most dangerous state for workers.
• On the flip side, Maryland shines as the safest state with the lowest number of work-related fatalities.
• Farming, fishing, and forestry are the most dangerous industries to work in the US, with the highest number of deaths.

New study reveals that workers in Oregon have an elevated risk of dying on the job compared to workers in the rest of the United States.

 

The safety experts at Protex have compiled a list with the most dangerous states for workers based on their level of unsafety in terms of work environment, alongside the most dangerous jobs in the country.

 

The study has identified five main factors that determine which US states pose the highest risk. These factors include fatalities in the workplace; nonfatal work injuries and illnesses; health insurance costs; cost of living and minimum wage.

Oregon (68.70 total score)

Oregon is the most dangerous state for workers. The Beaver State has the highest number of worker deaths in the country in the last five years, at a rate of 6.70 per 100.000 workers. It also has the second highest number of work injuries, 3.9 per 100.000, propelling the state to the first place on the list.

 

Since forestry ranks as the most dangerous job industry to work in based on the study, it is no surprise that Oregon, whose landmass is almost 50% forests, might contribute to this alarming fatality rate.

Vermont (60.75 total score)

In second place is Vermont where workplace injuries are quite common, with 3.9 injuries and illnesses per 100 full time employees. Vermont has the second-most expensive private healthcare in the US, which makes it more challenging for workers in case of an accident in the workplace.

 

The death rate of workers in Vermont is also higher than many other states, with a rate of 3.85 per 100,000. Truck drivers are more at risk of dying than other professions while working in the state because of the weather conditions. In addition to this, the cost of living is also very high, which adds to the fact that Vermont is not a great place for workers.

Wyoming (60.26 total score)

Rounding out the top three is Wyoming. Workers in this state face a high fatality rate of 4.44 per 100,000, which is higher than in other states. Additionally, the rate of nonfatal work injuries is also high, with 3 such injuries per 100 employees. A large number of worker deaths in Wyoming are transportation-related accidents, due to the massive intersections that the state has.

 

The minimum wage is among the lowest in the nation, and healthcare costs are among the highest. All these factors make Wyoming rank ahead of Alaska.

Alaska (58.83 total score)

Alaska ranks fourth as the most dangerous state to work in. It has a high death rate of 3.89 per 100,000 workers, and also one of the highest numbers of workplace injuries, with 3.3 per 100. The state is known for having more high-risk jobs like fishing, and logging.

 

Commercial fishing in Alaska is considered as one of the riskiest jobs in the US based on the study due to the unpredictable weather, isolated areas, and the dangers that come with working on the freezing waters that surround it.

 

Additionally, private healthcare is the most expensive in the nation, making Alaska not a good choice for workers.

West Virginia (58.32 total score)

West Virginia ranks among the top five, with 4.02 deaths per 100,000 workers recorded in the last five years. Most of these deaths happen in the agriculture and mining fields. All these factors make workers face bigger challenges in the workplace.

 

The minimum wage allowed in The Mountain State is one of the lowest. Additionally, private healthcare costs a lot, which makes 3.3 injuries or illnesses per 100 workers much scarier.

Safest States for Workers

Maryland (24.26 total score)

 

Maryland takes the first spot as the safest state to work in. It has one of the most affordable healthcare insurance costs compared to other states. Additionally, the state records only 2.44 fatalities which is lower than many other states across the country.

 

This highlights that Maryland workplaces are generally safe and well-regulated, providing a secure environment for employees.

Washington (24.99 total score)

Washington ranks second as the least dangerous state for workers. Despite having almost 4 nonfatal work-related injuries and illnesses per 100 full time workers, the state has the lowest number of workplace fatalities, having only recorded 0.06 deaths per 100,000 workers in the past five years. Besides, the Evergreen State has a higher minimum wage and affordable healthcare insurance costs.

 

Overall, these factors make Washington an attractive workplace, with a strong focus on ensuring the safety and well-being of its workers.

Virginia (27.52 total score)

Virginia ranked third in the list with 2.76 deaths per 100,000 workers fatalities. Besides, health insurance costs are relatively low in Virginia, and the minimum wage is also low, which could be contributing to the low rate of 2.3 workplace injuries and fatalities per 100,000 workers.

Arizona (27.86 total score)

Arizona secures fourth place as the least dangerous state for workers with only 1.45 deaths per 100,000 workers in the last five years. However, the state has reported 3.1 non fatal work-related injuries and illnesses per 100 workers which is higher than the national average. Additionally, healthcare insurance coverage in Arizona is relatively low, while the cost of living is higher.

New Jersey (29.63 total score)

Rounding out the top 5 safest states to work in is New Jersey. The Garden State has a relatively high cost of living, but in the last five years, it has had fewer workplace fatalities among other states, 2.67 per 100,000 workers. Additionally, the state offers affordable healthcare insurance and a reasonable minimum wage.

 

Overall, New Jersey is an excellent place to work and live,with its commitment to creating a safe work environment for its residents.

Most dangerous jobs in the US

Farming, fishing, and forestry is the most dangerous industry to work in the US, with 23.5 fatalities per 100.000 workers. People in this field face a range of risks and dangers, including exposure to heavy machinery, dangerous chemicals, and unpredictable weather conditions.

Second on the list is the transportation and material moving industry. Workers in this industry face a greater risk of accidents and injuries, including falls, vehicular collisions, and accidents caused by heavy machinery. 14.6 deaths per 100,000 workers are recorded in these fields.

 

Construction and extraction ranks third with 13 fatalities per 100.000 laborers. People in this industry often perform physical tasks, work at big heights, handle hazardous materials, and operate heavy machinery. These activities expose them to significant risks that can impact their safety and health.

 

In fourth place is the Protective Service field. The nature of this work exposes workers to various threats and risks, including physical assaults, injuries, and even fatalities. The number of deaths related to this category is 10.2 per 100.000 workers.

 

Installation, maintenance, and repair follows with 8.8 fatalities per 100,000 workers.  People in this field often face dangerous situations, including exposure to harmful chemicals, falls, electrical shocks, and burns.

 

Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance ranks sixth. People working in this industry are exposed to many risks including falls, electrical hazards, exposure to chemicals, and other safety hazards.

 

A spokesperson from Protex commented on the findings:

 

“Keeping a workplace safe is crucial for successful work and the well-being of employees. Workplace injuries not only pose physical risks but also lead to emotional and financial difficulties for workers.

 

When safety is compromised in any aspect, it negatively affects productivity and overall welfare. It is important to prioritize a secure workplace environment, ensuring proactive safety programs are in place, inclusive of new technologies such as AI/computer vision, for employees’ safety and peace of mind.

Methodology

The study identified five factors indicating which US state is the most dangerous for workers. Each of these factors was given a numerical score to rank each state. The data for each state was scaled, weighted, and totalled to produce the final ranking for this study.

 

The impact of each factor was assessed, and a different numerical weight was assigned accordingly to determine what makes it dangerous for working.

Some states were excluded from the ranking because of a lack of key Bureau of Labor Statistics injury, illness, and fatality data such as South Dakota, North Dakota, Rhode Island, New Hampshire.

 

Here are the factors, along with their respective weights:

 

Workplace fatalities: 40%
Nonfatal work injuries and illnesses: 30%

Cost of living: 5%

Average Cost of Health Insurance (2024): 15%

Minimum Wage: 10%

 

The data for each factor was collected from the following sources:

 

• Workplace fatalities: OSHA.GOV
• https://www.osha.gov/fatalities#&sort[#incSum]=0-1-1-0&page[#incSum]=1&size[#incSum]=10&filter[#incSum]=2023–AL—-
  
• Nonfatal work injuries and illnesses: BLS.GOV https://www.bls.gov/charts/injuries-and-illnesses/rate-of-total-recordable-cases-by-state.htm
• Cost of living: https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/cost-of-living-index-by-state
• Average Cost of Health Insurance (2024): CMS.GOV & OPM.GOV
• https://www.cms.gov/ https://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/
• Minimum Wage: DOL.GOV https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/minimum-wage/state
• Most dangerous jobs:https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/cfoi.pdf

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