Eight names were on the list of those who died on the job in 2024 in Idaho. 

The year before, it was 24. 

The smaller number was a slight consolation to Brad Cederblom. 

“I don’t know what the difference is, but I’m glad to see it down,” said the president of the Northern Idaho Central Labor Council. 

About 25 people attended the annual gathering at the North Idaho Worker’s Memorial at Coeur d’Alene City Park on a cool, cloudy Monday evening. 

It was a somber occasion, marked by the playing of taps, calls to correct workplace wrongs and a prayer by Dale Broadsword, president of the Idaho Alliance for Retired Americans. 

“We pray for families, friends and neighbors who have lost their lives at work, that your grace and peace be with their loved ones," he said. "We pray for those whose lives were lost due to our unjust systems and the circumstances of their work.” 

Cederblom said they honored all workers who died on the job, not just unionized workers.  

“Most on this wall behind me are not union,” he said, “but did die in Idaho.” 

That list included: 

• Tobin Takado Bolter, 27. The Ada County Sheriff’s deputy was shot during a traffic stop April 21. 

• Felipe Acebedo Criollo, 43. Crushed by an excavator bucket near Blackfoot. 

• Shawn B. Bettencourt, 50. Fell from the bucket of an excavator near Salmon. 

• Brian Brown, 50. Crushed in an expandable trailer near Boise. 

• Kyle Sexton, 24. A tow truck operator who was crushed when a vehicle rolled off the tow truck. 

• Ralph AnDyke, 77. Fell while adjusting a trailer tarp in Lewiston. 

• Kody Hansen, 33. An Ada County paramedic who was heading home after a long shift when his vehicle was hit head-on by another vehicle that was passing a truck. 

• Steve Powell, 70. Died from exposure after suffering an ankle fracture on the job near Twin Falls. 

Cederblom said Monday’s memorial was being held 54 years to the date when the Occupational Safety and Health Act was enacted April 28, 1971. 

He said it “ushered in the most worker-friendly safety we’ve had.” 

Still, more safeguards are needed.  

Cederblom said 5,283 people died on the job nationwide last year; 135,000 died of occupational disease and 55 died of heat exposure. 

He said workplace homicides rose 28% last year and workplace suicides were up 5.2%. 

States with the highest worker fatality included Wyoming at 16 worker deaths per 100,000; West Virginia, 8.3 per 100,000; Arkansas, 7.5; Montana, 7.1 and North Dakota, 6.9. 

Industries with the highest fatality rates were agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, 20.3 per 100,000; mining, quarrying and oil and gas extraction, 16.9 per 100,000; transportation and warehousing, 12.9 and construction 9.6. 

"The cost of job injuries and illnesses is enormous, estimated at $174 billion to $348 billion a year — an undercount of the real impact on society, families and communities," according to a report by the AFL-CIO

Ironworker Mike Keith encouraged people to check on family and co-workers regarding workplace safety.

“It doesn’t hurt to ask a simple question, 'How are you?'” he said. 

Keith said if you see job hazards, say something. 

“Stop what you’re doing and correct the situation,” he said. 

    Brad Cederblom speaks during the annual gathering at the North Idaho Worker’s Memorial at Coeur d’Alene City Park on Monday.
  

    Fritz Wiedenhoff rings the bell as names of Idaho workers who died on the job in 2024 are read during a ceremony on Monday.
  

    The North Idaho Worker's Memorial at Coeur d'Alene City Park on Monday.
  

    Jake Bieker plays taps during the North Idaho Worker’s Memorial ceremony at Coeur d’Alene City Park on Monday.