Wyoming Occupational Fatalities Drop to Record Low in 2009
Wyoming occupational fatalities declined by 14, from 33 in 2008 to 19 in 2009, a 42.4% decrease (see Figure). Additionally, in 2009 the 
number of work-related deaths fell to their lowest level since the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries program began collecting data in 1992. The reduction was associated with a 35.3% drop in transportation accidents (11 in 2009 compared to 17 in 2008). Three industries each had four fatalities: Natural Resources & Mining; Construction; and Wholesale & Retail Trade.
Transportation & Warehousing had three deaths, all of which were transportation accidents. The remainder occurred in three other industries: Manufacturing; Accommodation & Food Services; and Other Services Except Public Administration. More than half of all fatalities were the result of transportation accidents (57.9%), a result consistent with other years.
Transportation accidents are the most common cause of work-related death. As seen in Table 1a, from 2001 to 2009, a total of 310 people died while on the job. Of the total, 47.1% (146) resulted from transportation accidents. 
Nearly one-third of all deaths occurred in Natural Resources & Mining (32.6%), followed by Trade, Transportation, & Utilities (30.3%).
Variations in fatalities from year to year are, to some extent, the result of the random nature of work-related accidents. The only events that show a consistent pattern in Wyoming are transportation events, highway accidents in particular. For historical analysis and data go to http://doe.state.wy.us/LMI/CFOI/toc.htm.