Honoring Workplace Safety Heroes on National Workers Memorial Day

On a quiet Tuesday morning in Sioux Falls, the hum of construction equipment along the Big Sioux River and the steady rhythm of shift changes at the John Morrell plant serve as a stark reminder: every job carries risk. This week, South Dakotans will pause to honor those who never made it home from work—victims of preventable tragedies that too often fade into statistics. The Workers’ Memorial Day event, led by Moira Beznoska, associate director of a local advocacy group, isn’t just a ceremony. It’s a call to action for a state where agriculture, manufacturing and healthcare dominate the economy—and where workplace safety standards can imply the difference between life and death.

For Sioux Falls, a city of 200,000 where the unemployment rate hovers below the national average, the stakes are personal. The South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation reported 12 workplace fatalities in the state in 2025 alone, a figure that doesn’t account for the countless injuries that leave workers disabled or traumatized. Nationally, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates that a worker dies on the job every 99 minutes in the U.S. But here, in a region where small farms and family-owned businesses outnumber corporate giants, the conversation around workplace safety is often overshadowed by economic pressures and a cultural emphasis on self-reliance.

Beznoska’s event, held at the Sioux Falls Convention Center near the bustling Phillips Avenue corridor, will feature names and stories—not just numbers. Among them: a 34-year-old construction worker who fell from a roof in Rapid City last November, a 52-year-old nurse who contracted a fatal infection from a needlestick injury at a Sioux Falls hospital, and a 28-year-old farmhand crushed by equipment near Brookings. These aren’t outliers. They’re the human cost of a system where underreporting is rampant, and where small businesses—especially in rural areas—often lack the resources to implement OSHA’s recommended safety protocols.

The Hidden Toll: Why South Dakota’s Workplace Fatalities Are Underreported

The National Council for Occupational Safety and Health (COSH) has long argued that official BLS data undercounts workplace deaths by as much as 30%. In South Dakota, where agriculture employs nearly 10% of the workforce, the gap is even wider. Farming and ranching are consistently among the most dangerous industries in the U.S., yet many incidents go unreported given that they occur on family-owned operations exempt from OSHA oversight. A 2024 investigation by the Argus Leader found that nearly half of the state’s workplace fatalities in the previous five years involved agricultural workers, but only a fraction were classified as such in federal records.

Beznoska’s group is pushing for change. “We’re not just remembering the dead,” she said in a recent interview with KELO-TV. “We’re fighting for the living—those who are still showing up to jobs where they fear for their safety every day.” Her organization is advocating for three key reforms: expanding OSHA’s jurisdiction to cover small farms, increasing penalties for safety violations, and creating a state-level workers’ compensation fund for undocumented workers, who often avoid reporting injuries for fear of deportation.

But resistance is fierce. South Dakota’s legislature, dominated by business-friendly conservatives, has repeatedly blocked efforts to strengthen workplace safety laws. In 2023, a bill to require annual safety training for all construction workers died in committee after lobbying from the Associated General Contractors of South Dakota. The group argued that such mandates would “burden small businesses” and “stifle economic growth.” Meanwhile, the state’s fatality rate has crept upward, with 2025 marking the highest number of workplace deaths since 2018.

Sioux Falls’ Most Dangerous Jobs—and Who’s at Risk

In Sioux Falls, the risks are concentrated in three industries: construction, healthcare, and meatpacking. The John Morrell plant, one of the city’s largest employers, has been cited multiple times by OSHA for violations related to machine guarding and chemical exposure. In 2024, a worker lost three fingers in a preventable accident; the company paid a $12,000 fine but avoided admitting fault. “It’s a slap on the wrist,” said a former Morrell employee who requested anonymity. “They’ll pay the fine and keep cutting corners because it’s cheaper than fixing the problem.”

Healthcare workers, too, face growing threats. The Sanford Health system, which employs over 12,000 people in the region, has seen a rise in workplace violence incidents, with nurses and aides reporting assaults by patients at an alarming rate. A 2025 survey by the South Dakota Nurses Association found that 68% of respondents had experienced verbal or physical abuse on the job in the past year. Yet only 15% of those incidents were formally reported, often due to fear of retaliation or a belief that “it’s just part of the job.”

Construction remains the deadliest sector. In 2025, four of South Dakota’s 12 workplace fatalities occurred on construction sites, three of them in Sioux Falls. Falls from heights, electrocutions, and being struck by objects are the “Fatal Four” hazards identified by OSHA, and they account for nearly 60% of construction deaths nationwide. In Sioux Falls, where the skyline is rapidly changing with fresh apartment complexes and commercial developments, the pressure to meet deadlines often trumps safety. “We witness it all the time,” said a local OSHA inspector who spoke on condition of anonymity. “Contractors rushing to finish a project before winter, workers skipping safety harnesses because ‘it’s just a quick job.’ Then someone ends up in the ER—or worse.”

The Psychological Cost: When the Job Doesn’t Kill You, But It Breaks You

Not all workplace injuries are physical. The mental health toll of dangerous jobs is an often-overlooked crisis, particularly in industries where trauma is routine. First responders, healthcare workers, and even retail employees in high-crime areas report alarming rates of PTSD, anxiety, and depression. In Sioux Falls, the Helpline Center, a local crisis hotline, has seen a 40% increase in calls from workers struggling with job-related stress since 2020. “We’re hearing from nurses who can’t sleep because they’re haunted by a patient’s death, construction workers who have panic attacks at heights, and even fast-food employees who’ve been robbed at gunpoint,” said the center’s director, Janet Kittams.

The stigma around mental health in the workplace is particularly acute in South Dakota, where stoicism is often equated with strength. A 2024 study by the University of South Dakota found that only 12% of workers who experienced job-related trauma sought professional help, compared to a national average of 28%. “There’s this idea that if you can’t handle the stress, you’re weak,” said a Sioux Falls firefighter who has battled PTSD for years. “But when your job is to run into burning buildings or tell a family their loved one didn’t make it, how do you just ‘shake it off’?”

What’s Being Done—and What’s Still Missing

Despite the challenges, You’ll see signs of progress. The Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce has partnered with local businesses to launch a “Safety First” initiative, offering free OSHA compliance training for small employers. The South Dakota Safety Council, based in Sioux Falls, has also ramped up its outreach, hosting workshops on everything from fall prevention to mental health first aid. And in 2025, the state legislature finally passed a bill requiring all public-sector employees to receive annual safety training—a small but meaningful step.

Yet advocates like Beznoska argue that these efforts don’t go far enough. “Training is great, but it’s not enough if employers aren’t held accountable,” she said. “We need stronger enforcement, higher penalties, and a cultural shift where safety isn’t seen as an expense but as an investment in people.” Her organization is pushing for a state-level “Workers’ Bill of Rights” that would guarantee protections like paid leave for injured workers, whistleblower protections, and mandatory mental health support for high-risk industries.

For now, though, the burden falls on workers to advocate for themselves. And in a state where unions are weak and job security is fragile, that’s easier said than done. “People are scared to speak up,” said a Sioux Falls nurse who was fired after reporting unsafe staffing levels at her hospital. “They’ll say, ‘What if I lose my job? What if no one else hires me?’ So they stay quiet, and the cycle continues.”

The Local Resource Guide: Who You Need in Your Corner

Given my background in occupational safety advocacy and labor policy, I’ve seen firsthand how the right professionals can make the difference between a workplace that’s merely compliant and one that’s truly safe. If you’re in Sioux Falls and this issue hits close to home—whether you’re a worker, an employer, or a family member of someone injured on the job—here are the three types of local experts you should know:

Workplace Safety Consultants (OSHA Compliance Specialists)

What they do: These consultants help businesses—especially small and mid-sized ones—navigate OSHA regulations, conduct safety audits, and implement training programs. In Sioux Falls, where many employers are exempt from federal oversight due to their size, these experts are critical for filling the gap.

What to glance for:

• Certifications like Certified Safety Professional (CSP) or Occupational Health and Safety Technician (OHST).
• Experience in your specific industry (e.g., construction, healthcare, agriculture).
• A track record of working with local businesses—question for references from Sioux Falls employers.
• Familiarity with South Dakota’s state-specific regulations, which can differ from federal OSHA standards.

Red flags: Consultants who promise “guaranteed OSHA compliance” (no one can guarantee that) or who push expensive, one-size-fits-all training programs without assessing your workplace’s unique risks.

Employment and Workers’ Compensation Attorneys

What they do: If you’ve been injured on the job, denied workers’ compensation, or retaliated against for reporting safety violations, these attorneys can help you navigate the legal system. In South Dakota, where workers’ comp laws are notoriously complex, having a local expert is essential.

What to look for:

• Specialization in workers’ compensation and employment law—not just personal injury.
• Experience with South Dakota’s Department of Labor and Regulation and the state’s workers’ comp appeals process.
• A history of taking cases to trial, not just settling quickly (this shows they’re willing to fight for you).
• Membership in organizations like the South Dakota Trial Lawyers Association or the Workers’ Injury Law & Advocacy Group (WILG).

Red flags: Attorneys who charge upfront fees for workers’ comp cases (most work on contingency) or who pressure you to accept a lowball settlement without exploring all your options.

Occupational Health and Mental Health Professionals

What they do: These providers specialize in treating job-related injuries and illnesses, from repetitive stress injuries to PTSD. In Sioux Falls, where healthcare is a major employer, many of these professionals also work with hospitals and clinics to improve workplace safety protocols.

What to look for:

• For physical injuries: Occupational medicine physicians or certified hand therapists (for repetitive motion injuries).
• For mental health: Psychologists or counselors with experience in trauma, PTSD, or workplace stress.
• Affiliations with local healthcare systems like Sanford Health or Avera Health, which often have specialized occupational health programs.
• Willingness to work with your employer’s workers’ comp insurance to ensure coverage for treatment.

Red flags: Providers who dismiss your symptoms as “just stress” or who don’t take the time to understand the unique demands of your job.

One final note: If you’re an employer reading this, don’t wait for a tragedy to take action. The South Dakota Safety Council offers free consultations for businesses looking to improve their safety programs. And if you’re a worker who’s been injured or feels unsafe, know that you’re not alone. Organizations like the South Dakota Workers’ Action Network can connect you with resources and support.

Ready to identify trusted professionals? Browse our complete directory of top-rated workplace safety experts in the Sioux Falls area today.