North Dakota union leaders make plea for safer workplaces

FARGO — As the Occupational Safety and Health Administration marked its 50th year on Wednesday, April 28, union leaders in North Dakota took time during the annual Workers Memorial Day to make a plea for better workplace safety conditions in the state.

Erick Brekke, vice president of the Northern Plains United Labor Council, said the 18 workers from all parts of the state who died on the job last year placed North Dakota at No. 3 in the nation for the most dangerous workplaces, behind only Alaska and Wyoming.

That followed 37 workplace deaths in 2019, which was a rate of 9.7 deaths on the job per 100,000 employees.

While OSHA has helped in many ways, Brekke said in the online program streamed from the F-M Labor Temple, "Our work isn't done yet."

Read more: https://www.inforum.com/business/workplace/7005616-North-Dakota-union-leaders-make-plea-for-safer-workplaces