CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming again saw more workplace deaths than the national average in 2017.

Twenty people died on the job in Wyoming last year, down from 27 in 2016.

According to the Wyoming Department of Workplace Services, the state had a fatality rate of 7.7 workers per 100,000 full-time employees, more than twice the national rate and the third-highest rate behind Alaska and North Dakota.

The Wyoming Tribune Eagle reports that motor vehicle crashes have been a major contributor to work deaths. Many involve out-of-state drivers who may not be familiar with the state's extreme weather or terrain.

The state also has many jobs in high risk jobs in fields like manufacturing, oil and gas, transportation and agriculture. However, there were no deaths in oil and gas or manufacturing last year.

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