North Dakota Workplace Death Rate Among Highest in U.S.

May 11, 2021

An annual report using data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows North Dakota’s rate of workplace deaths remains among the highest in the country.

The annual report released by the AFL-CIO shows that 37 North Dakota workers died in 2019 due to on-the-job injuries. The rate of 9.7 deaths per 100,000 workers was third-highest in the nation, behind Alaska and Wyoming, the Bismarck Tribune reported.

“This year’s report is yet another reminder of the dangers facing working people in North Dakota every single day,” North Dakota AFL-CIO President Landis Larson said in a statement. “Now with COVID-19, it’s more important than ever to protect working people.”

Nationally in 2019, 5,333 workers were killed on the job and an estimated 90,000 died from occupational diseases. The overall rate of fatal job injuries was 2.8 per 100,000. according to the labor union federation.

It’s the 30th year the AFL-CIO has released the findings on the state of safety and health protections for workers in the country.

North Dakota’s ranking has changed little in recent years. In 2016, the state had 28 workplace deaths and ranked fifth in the nation; in 2017, the state had 38 deaths and ranked second; and in 2018, it had 35 deaths and ranked third.