Gov Mead: Wyoming Needs To Reduce Worker Fatality Rate

Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead says more may need to be done to combat the state's high workplace fatality rate.

Mead told a meeting of the Wyoming Oil and Gas Industry Safety Alliance Tuesday that new state workplace safety legislation might not be enough to reverse Wyoming's ranking as one of the most dangerous states for workers. Mead says he'd be open to stiffer fines and penalties if the state does not lower the number of workplace deaths in the next couple years.

Earlier this year, the Wyoming Legislature passed a bill that starts a matching-grant program for companies to receive training or safety equipment. The legislation also created seven new safety consultants to help identify workplace safety issues at individual companies. Mead says the current approach is a good first step but "we want results."