Workers in the United States face many risks. Workplace accidents can happen in every industry but some workers are more likely to be killed on-the-job than other workers. We all know that blue-collar, hard labor jobs tend to see more accidents and injuries, but what occupations have been deemed the most dangerous in the country?
The list contains several blue-collar jobs but it also includes some higher paying professions that may surprise some workers and employers. Before we get into which jobs are the most dangerous, the report also includes the list of the most common causes of fatal work accidents in 2012.
The most common cause of fatal work injuries is caused by transportation accidents, with 41 percent of fatalities being attributed to traffic incidents. Following transportation accidents is a list of causes: 17 percent is caused by homicide and violence, 16 percent are caused by equipment or being struck by an object, 15 percent are caused by slip, falls and trips, seven percent are attributed to harmful substances, three percent due to fires and explosions and one percent is caused by other incidents.
The occupation deemed most dangerous based on the 2012 National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries is logging. What other occupations are considered to be some of the most hazardous in the U.S.? The list of the most dangerous jobs and their hazards are listed below:
- Logging: falling trees and equipment accidents.
- Fishing: heavy equipment, drowning and sea weather.
- Pilots and flight engineers: air disturbances, high altitude, flying
- Roofers: heat stroke and falls.
- Structural iron and steel workers: falls and heavy machinery.
- Garbage and recycling collectors: hazardous materials, heavy equipment and road accidents.
- Electrical power line workers: electrocution and falls.
- Truck drivers and sales professionals: road accidents and exhaustion.
- Farmers, ranchers and agricultural managers: heavy equipment and working with large animals.
- Construction workers: dangerous equipment and power tools.
Workers should be aware of the hazards they face and take steps to reduce these hazards if at all possible. Employers are also responsible for keeping workers safe and free from being injured in the workplace.
Source: Time, “These Are the Top 10 Most Dangerous Jobs in the U.S.,” Kelly Conniff, Jan. 15, 2014