CHEYENNE-Wyoming set a record last year for the number of workers killed on the job, a new state report shows.

A total of 48 workers died in job-related accidents, an increase of 33 percent from 2006, according to the Wyoming Department of Employment, Research and Planning.

The rate of increase may be somewhat misleading, however, because the number of deaths in 2006 - 36 - was unusually low, state economist Sara Saulcy said.

A total of 43 workers died in 2004 and 46 died in 2005, which was the previous record high.

"Because we don't have that many (worker deaths) to begin with, one or two accidents can really make a big difference in terms of the percent increase in fatality rates," Saulcy added.

No industry saw a decline in fatalities. All major industries added at least one death since 2006, the figures show.

The additional deaths were spread across several job types and industries, with transportation-related deaths contributing the largest portion of the increase.

Transportation-related accidents accounted for more than 70 percent of all worker deaths in 2007, with a total of 34 deaths. That's an increase of 11 from the previous year, or nearly 50 percent.

Several factors may have contributed to the large number of transportation fatalities, Saulcy said.

Wyoming workers drive long distances. The harsh weather in southern Wyoming this year may also have contributed, she said.

Another reason for the high number of deaths may be the long distances injured drivers must travel to receive medical attention.

"Lets say you are at Teapot Dome and you overturn your pickup truck," Saulcy said. "It could be a while before anyone knows you are even gone, especially if you are traveling by yourself."

Aircraft accidents claimed the lives of six people in 2007.

Seven workers died when they were struck or compressed by objects and equipment on the job, the same as in 2006, the report shows.

A total of four workers each in the leisure and hospitality industry and in the professional and business service industry died in 2007.

The construction industry lost a total of seven workers, three more than in 2006.

There is no obvious reason for the 75 percent increase in construction-related deaths, Saulcy said, but it could be linked to a rise in the amount of construction work in the state.

Six workers in the agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting industries died in 2007, twice as many as in 2006. All six deaths in that category were related to animal or livestock production, Saulcy said.

She said the increase can be partly attributed to the use of all-terrain vehicles, and the distance that injured people in rural areas must travel to get medical care.

"That's part of the risk you take for living in a rural area," Saulcy said.

The mining industry lost nine workers in 2007, up one from the previous year.

Wyoming Mining Association spokesman Marion Loomis said companies are always looking for ways to improve safety, including award programs for employees who take steps to keep from getting hurt or killed.

"The industry is making a huge commitment, has been over the years, and we work very hard every day to make sure the employees get home safely," Loomis said.

Wyoming's per-capita worker death rate has ranked among the top in the nation in recent years.

The rate of deaths per 100,000 workers was the second highest in the country in 2006, despite the large decrease in fatalities that year. Alaska was ranked first.

The record fatality numbers this year drew a sharp reaction from Wyoming state AFL-CIO spokesman Kim A. Floyd, who pointed a finger at mineral companies that he said are rushing to extract resources ahead of possibly tighter regulations when the Bush presidency ends.

"It's a crying shame that workers have to spill their blood in the name of progress and the name of energy development," he said.

Floyd added that the lack of affordable housing in Wyoming's mineral regions could be contributing to the increase in worker highway deaths by forcing employees to commute long distances.

Dan Neal, spokesman for the Equality State Policy Center, said the number of worker deaths should be falling, not rising to record levels.

He said it might be time to hire more safety inspectors or look at increased fines for companies that don't adhere to safety regulations.

"I think it behooves us to look closely at the fines side of things, and maybe (the Occupational Safety and Health Administration) needs to go in after some of these injury accidents and fatal accidents occur and impose some stiff fines, and try to get the attention of businesses," Neal said.

"It's too bad that working people have to face stats like these," he added.

Contact Jared Miller at (307) 632-1244 or jared.miller@trib.com.

Wyoming occupational fatalities, 1993-2007

2007-48

2006-36

2005-46

2004-43

2003-37

2002-32

2001-40

2000-36

1999-32

1998-33

1997-29

1996-28

1995-32

1994-35

1993-36

Wyoming occupational fatalities by event or exposure, 2007

Transportation accidents-34

Contact with objects and equipment-7

Exposure to harmful substances or environments-3

All other events and exposures-4

Wyoming occupational fatalities by industry, 2007

Agriculture, forestry, fishing, hunting-6

Mining-9

Construction-7

Trade, transportation, utilities-13

Professional and business services -4

Leisure and hospitality-4

Accommodation and food services-3

Source: Wyoming Department of Employment, Research and Planning

2007�48

2006�36

2005�46

2004�43

2003�37

2002�32

2001�40

2000�36

1999�32

1998�33

1997�29

1996�28

1995�32

1994�35

1993�36

Wyoming occupational fatalities by event or exposure, 2007

Transportation accidents�34

Contact with objects and equipment�7

Exposure to harmful substances or environments�3

All other events and exposures�4

Wyoming occupational fatalities by industry, 2007

Agriculture, forestry, fishing, hunting�6

Mining�9

Construction�7

Trade, transportation, utilities�13

Professional and business services �4

Leisure and hospitality�4

Accommodation and food services�3

Source: Wyoming Department of Employment, Research and Planning]]->