Workplace safety for women across the United States is under renewed scrutiny as a new study reveals the states where women face the highest risk of fatal occupational injuries. The findings expose stark disparities in workplace danger, highlighting regions where industry conditions, job types, and limited safety protections combine to create disproportionately deadly environments for female workers.
The research by Missouri-based personal injury law firm, Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers, analyzed women’s workplace fatality rates across U.S. states between 2019 and 2023, using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Average annual fatalities per million female residents were calculated to identify where workplaces are most deadly for women.
Wyoming leads the nation with 15.8 fatalities per million female residents, 328.2% higher than the national average of 3.69. Known as the Equality State, Wyoming averaged 4.5 women’s workplace fatal injuries annually between 2019 and 2023, with a female population of 284,881. The deadliest year was 2020, with 6 fatalities, while the lowest was 2023, with 3.
Alaska ranks second with 11.48 fatalities per million female residents, 211.1% higher than the national average of 3.69. Between 2019 and 2023, the Last Frontier saw an average of 4 fatalities annually among a female population of 348,340. The deadliest year was 2019, with 4 fatalities, while 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 recorded no data available.
Montana ranks third with 9.04 fatalities per million female residents, 145.0% above the national average of 3.69. The Treasure State averaged 5 women’s workplace fatal injuries annually between 2019 and 2023, with a female population of 553,062. The worst year was 2019 with 6 fatalities, while 2021 marked the lowest with 4.
Looking at the study, a spokesperson from Beck & Beck commented,
“The findings clearly show that certain states, particularly Wyoming, Alaska, and Montana, face a disproportionate risk of fatal workplace injuries involving women.
“Women’s workplace fatalities often involve transportation incidents, violence, equipment-related injuries, falls, and exposure to hazardous environments. Rural and resource-extraction states face added risks due to industry makeup and longer emergency response times.
“Even states with mid-range rates, such as Missouri, reporting 3.00 female workplace fatalities per million residents, show that these dangers extend far beyond only the highest-risk regions.
“This underscores the need for stronger safety measures. Better training, stricter OSHA enforcement, improved protective equipment, and targeted campaigns for high-risk industries are essential to reducing fatalities among women workers nationwide.”
Table for Extended Results:
| Top 10 States Where Women’s Workplace Fatal Injuries Are Most Prevalent | ||
| State | Women Workplace Fatal Injuries per Million residents | Rank |
| Wyoming | 15.80 | 1 |
| Alaska | 11.48 | 2 |
| Montana | 9.04 | 3 |
| South Dakota | 7.82 | 4 |
| North Dakota | 5.92 | 5 |
| West Virginia | 5.61 | 6 |
| Indiana | 4.77 | 7 |
| Idaho | 4.16 | 8 |
| Wisconsin | 4.15 | 9 |
| New Mexico | 3.99 | 10 |
What Workers, Employers, and Policymakers Should Know About Women’s Workplace Safety
Experts emphasize that reducing fatal workplace injuries among women, especially in high-risk states, requires coordinated action from employers, regulators, and policymakers. Based on the findings, the following steps are critical:
- Strengthen OSHA inspections and enforcement in high-risk industries.
- Expand safety training programs tailored for women in hazardous roles.
- Improve access to protective equipment and ergonomic safety tools.
- Increase reporting transparency for workplace injuries and fatalities.
- Target rural and industrial regions with focused safety campaigns.
Top 10 U.S. States With the Highest Women’s Workplace Fatality Rates
- Wyoming – 15.80
- Alaska – 11.48
- Montana – 9.04
- South Dakota – 7.82
- North Dakota – 5.92
- West Virginia – 5.61
- Indiana – 4.77
- Idaho – 4.16
- Wisconsin – 4.15
- New Mexico – 3.99
Methodology
The study was conducted by Beck & Beck, an experienced law firm specializing in workplace injury representation. They handle everything from initial claim evaluation to medical care coordination and aggressive negotiations with insurance companies.
The study analyzed women’s workplace fatal injury rates across U.S. states between 2019 and 2023, using the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Average annual fatalities per million female residents were calculated to identify the states where workplaces are most deadly for women workers.
Data Sources:
- Fatality Data → https://www.bls.gov/iif/state-data/fatal-occupational-injuries-in-alabama-2023.htm
- Research Data → https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1kYjef0O_P-4fcRaclezqZjBrgegImlYLxxS6vc5kgwo/edit?gid=0#gid=0
- Study By → https://becklawmo.com/