There were 5,703 fatal work injuries in the United States in 2006 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries. Meanwhile, South Dakota lost 37 individuals to work-related fatalities.

Beyond these statistics, what do we know about these fatalities? How did they happen? Who were these people? Were they men or women, old or young? What industries did they work in, and what kind of events did they die from?  Are there any patterns to these deaths? Are there any generalizations that can be made?

Over half of South Dakota’s fatalities in 2006 were caused by transportation incidents. There were six incidents of off-highway transportation accidents and five incidents of non-highway overturns. The balance of deaths due to transportation issues fall under the heading of highway vehicle deaths. The next largest single cause of fatalities is contact with objects and equipment. This category makes up more than 25 percent of fatalities. It is broken into two sub-categories: ‘struck by an object’ and ‘caught in running equipment or machinery.’  The numbers of fatalities in 2006 were nearly evenly divided between these two categories, with five ‘struck by an object’ fatalities and four ‘caught in running equipment or machinery’ fatalities. With good news for South Dakota, there were no published deaths over the last four years reported in two event or exposure categories: exposure to harmful substances or environments, and fires and explosions.

The South Dakota fatalities were quite evenly divided in 2006 between wage and salaried workers and the self-employed. There were 19 fatalities among the wage and salaried workers and 18 within the ranks of the self-employed. The relatively even distribution between these two groups is rather atypical, judging from data from the past few years. Usually one category is higher than the other, although it fluctuates from year to year as to which one is higher.

The industry accounting for the most fatalities in the state in 2006 was agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting. There were 17 fatalities in 2006, or 45.9 percent of the fatalities, for the industry category that makes up just 7.1 percent of workers. Contact with objects and equipment, and transportation incidents were the most frequent types of fatal events in this industry in 2006. This industry group has been the highest in workplace fatalities during each of the last four years (for which data is readily available), with one exception. That exception was 2004, when this industry was tied with trade, transportation and utilities. Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting witnessed 12 fatalities in 2005, seven in 2004 and 13 in 2003.

The South Dakota industry accounting for the next highest number of fatalities in 2006 was the trade, transportation and utilities industry. The number of fatalities in the trade, transportation and utilities industry (which accounts for about 19 percent of workers) stayed fairly constant over the past four years. There were 12 deaths in 2006, seven in 2005, 11 in 2004 and nine in 2003. Since in South Dakota, agriculture makes up the largest share of the agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting category, it is not a stretch to say farming is the state’s most dangerous industry.

After examining the different industries where the majority of the fatalities occurred, it is not surprising to see almost all of South Dakota’s fatalities were men. In fact, men accounted for 89 percent of the work-related fatalities in the state with 33 deaths. The industries mentioned above as constituting the majority of fatalities employ more men than women. There were three female fatalities during 2003, one during 2004, two during 2005, and four the past year. Although detailed data is limited, it appears the majority of female fatalities occurred in conjunction with vehicle accidents of one kind or another.

The table below shows the age groups utilized by the Bureau of Labor Statistics for collecting and reporting data on worker fatalities. As illustrated, South Dakota had no worker-related fatalities in the four youngest age categories during the last four years, with the exception of three deaths in the 20–24 age group in both 2004 and 2005. As the age increments creep up, we see more deaths.

South Dakota Fatal Occupational Injuries by Age
Age Group	Number of Fatalities
	2003	2004	2005	2006
Under 16
16-17
18-19
20-24		3	3
25-34	3			6
35-44	5	4	7	3
45-54	8	5	6	9
55-64	4	6	7	10
65 & Older	7	3	6	7
Total Fatalities	28	24	31	37
Note: Blank cells indicate no data reported or data that did not meet publication criteria. Totals may not add due to unpublished data.
Source: Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor

The work fatalities by age bracket data seems to be bearing out the major demographic trend currently drawing so much attention. Phrases commonly heard in the news in the recent past are “graying of the population” and “retiring baby boomers.”  The fact we are experiencing an era with increasingly good health, the desire of an older population to stay active and the necessity of supplementing retirement incomes has kept a growing number of individuals in the workforce after the traditional age of retirement. The number of worker fatalities in the middle to older age groups has held true for the last four years.

Percentage wise, only 25.0 percent of South Dakota’s total population is 55 and over, and 20.0 percent of the workers are 55 and older. But an alarming 45.9 percent of workplace fatalities are in the 55 and older age group – illustrating there is a disproportionate number of fatalities among older workers. As mentioned above, half of South Dakota’s fatalities were in agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, with agriculture specifically making up the largest share. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the average age of South Dakota farmers was 53.3 in 2002 and 54 in 2006. That is an average age, so there are obviously many who are 55 and older. These two data sets, in concert, indicate many of South Dakota’s fatalities are among older agricultural workers.

The occupational group with the highest number of fatalities was management, with 15 work-related deaths. But managers of farms and ranches accounted for 14 of the 15 fatally injured, again pointing to the dangers involved in farm work. Transportation and material moving occupations had six work-related deaths and construction and extraction jobs, five. Transportation incidents were again the most frequent event resulting in death in all three of these occupational groups.

Nationally, there were 441 assaults and/or violent acts in private industry in 2006. Meanwhile, last year was the first time in the recent past assaults and/or violent acts were listed as the cause of death of South Dakota workers. There were four state deaths attributed to assaults and/or violent acts. Rather surprisingly, they were all in agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting.

Although certainly the most dismal labor market statistics to analyze and discuss, workplace fatality data provide a vital reminder about the importance of safety on the job. The optimal goal would be to have no statistics to report. For information on workplace safety from the U.S. Department of Labor, click here.

Another resource for South Dakota employers to be aware of is the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA’s) Consultation Program. This program, administered by Engineering Extension at South Dakota State University, was developed by OSHA so small employers could receive OSHA assistance without fear of fines or citations. The staff at Engineering Extension conduct safety and health audits, including air quality and noise surveys, at private sector businesses in South Dakota only at the request of the employer. There is no cost to the employer for the service, and it is confidential. The program does not issue fines or citations, and the scope of the visit is up to the employer. The employer agrees to abate any hazards found during the course of the inspection that are classified as serious within a negotiated time frame.

More information on the OSHA Consultation Program can be obtained by calling or emailing:

James Manning, Program Director

South Dakota OSHA Consultation

Engineering Extension

WH  118, Box 510

South Dakota State University

Brookings, SD 57007

Voice: 605-688-4101

FAX: 605-688-6290

e-mail: James.Manning@sdstate.edu

For additional statistical information available from the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, visit www.bls.gov/iif.