For years, Wyoming has ranked among the worst states for workplace deaths.

And 2006 was no exception. According to report released today by the AFL-CIO, Wyoming was second worst in the nation in terms of job fatalities.

The state's rate of work-related deaths was 12.9 per 100,000, or more than three times the national average.

But for as many years as Wyoming has garnered low ratings, state officials have pointed out the influence work-related traffic accidents - including wrecks by over-the-road truckers - have on such statistics.

Further, J.D. Danni, state Occupational Safety and Health Administration program manager, noted the actual number of workplace fatalities actually decreased to 36 in 2006, down from 46 in 2005. At sites under OSHA jurisdiction, the number of fatalities dropped from 12 to 10.

The federal OSHA encourages states to develop their own job safety and health programs. Wyoming has an approved state plan, which is administered through the Wyoming Department of Employment.

Danni said transportation incidents the past couple years have accounted for 40 percent to 50 percent of workplace deaths in the state.

Another factor is the nature of work in Wyoming. Many workers toil in occupations like oil and gas, and construction. So dangers are inherent, he said.

"We try to take a proactive approach to this, but it's constant training, constant vigilance, getting the employer buy-in and getting employee buy-in," Danni said.

The AFL-CIO said the "safety net" of regulation and oversight provided by agencies like OSHA is seriously frayed.

"In Wyoming, there are only eight OSHA inspectors," the report said. "At this ratio, these inspectors are only able to inspect workplaces in the state, on average, once every 69 years."

Danni said OSHA could use more inspectors, but noted the agency's budget was cut this year.

The AFL-CIO also noted a disparity in the average size of penalties Wyoming employers are assessed.

In fiscal year 2007, the report said, the average OSHA fine for Wyoming employers who allowed "conditions creating a substantial probability of death or serious physical harm to workers" was $377, while the U.S. average was $909. The total average penalty in state cases involving deaths was $3,952.

Danni said employers receive reductions based on such factors as company size, safety programs and prior visits by OSHA.

In general, "if it's a smaller employer, there's going to be more of a reduction given to that employer," he said, adding that the majority of Wyoming companies have fewer than 20 employees.

"Our nation's system of rules and enforcement has fallen embarrassingly short of its goal of ensuring workplace safety," AFL-CIO President John Sweeney said in a press release.

Alaska had the worst performance in the AFL-CIO analysis with a fatality rate of 13.8 per 100,000 workers. Rhode Island and New Hampshire were deemed the safest states.

Business Editor Tom Mast can be reached at tom.mast@trib.com, or call 307-266-0574.