10 Most Dangerous Jobs in America
Every job comes with some inherent dangers. You may suffer from sudden injuries like slips, trips, and burns. You may also suffer from chronic injuries like chemical exposure or tendinitis that require the help of a team of skilled Denver workers’ compensation attorneys. What are the most dangerous jobs? Here are the 10 most dangerous jobs in the USA, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
#10 Electrical Workers
Electrical workers spend their time with high-voltage power lines and other electrically charged equipment. In addition to dangers from electrical equipment, they’re also in danger from working on power lines and other elevated surfaces. Electrical workers suffered 26 fatal deaths in 2017. In addition, 1,710 more workers suffered non-fatal injuries. Both electrical shocks and falls are causes of injury and death for electrical workers in the United States.
#9 Landscaping Professionals and Lawn Maintenance Workers
Power tools are common in the landscaping industry. This power equipment contributes to a high injury rate for landscaping professionals. Chainsaws, lawnmowers, and tractors can all produce injuries. Falls from elevated surfaces are another common cause of injury. Landscapists suffered 53 fatalities on the job in 2017. Another 1,040 workers suffered non-fatal injuries. The fatality rate is 21 workers per 100,000 people in the landscaping industry.
#8 Farmers and Agricultural Professionals
Farmers work with a variety of vehicles and heavy machinery. The farming industry is one of the few industries where injuries are highly likely to result in death. In 2017, there were 258 farm workers killed in motor vehicle and industrial equipment accidents. Another 100 workers suffered non-fatal injuries. The death rate is 58.9 percent of all injuries.
#7 Transportation and Sales Drivers
Delivery drivers spend their time on the road. Any work that takes drivers on the open roads for long periods of time poses a risk for transportation accidents. Nine hundred seventy-eight delivery drivers died in the line of duty in 2017 — another 77,470 suffered injuries. With a large number of people who work in the sales and delivery industry, these figures represent a 26.9 fatality rate per 100,000 workers in the industry.
#6 Iron and Steel Workers
People who work in the iron and steel industry work in a variety of environments. Tall buildings, bridges, and other structures can all pose risks for workers in the iron and steel industry. The iron and steel industry suffers 33.3 fatal injuries for every 100,000 workers. With 14 fatal injuries in 2017, there were another 1,280 non-fatal injuries in the year for iron and steel workers. Most people who are injured in the industry suffer falls from elevated surfaces.
#5 Sanitation Workers and Recycling Professionals
Sanitation workers line the streets each day. Their vehicles start and go often during their work. Drivers may not always see sanitation workers on the roads. Sometimes, distracted driving results in devastating injuries to sanitation workers.
In 2017, 30 sanitation workers died on the job in the United States. One thousand three hundred forty sanitation workers suffered from non-fatal injuries. The total fatality rate was 34.9 deaths per 100,000 workers. Accidents relating to vehicles are the most common cause of death for sanitation workers in the United States.
#4 Roofers
Roofers work on elevated surfaces. They also work in extreme weather conditions. Falls from roofing, scaffolding, ladders, and other equipment can result in injuries. 45.2 roofers lose their lives each year for every 100,000 workers in the industry. Ninety-one suffered fatal accidents in 2017. Also, the roofing industry has a high non-fatal injury rate with an additional 2,810 roofers suffering from non-fatal accidents in 2017.
#3 Pilots and Flight Engineers
According to CNN, airplane accidents are on the rise. The Aviation Safety Network reports that 15 fatal airplane accidents in 2018 resulted in 556 total fatalities worldwide. In the United States, 51.3 pilots and flight engineers suffer a fatal injury for every 100,000 workers. Another 630 pilots and flight engineers have serious non-fatal injuries each year. For pilots, the leading cause of injury is accidents in the operation of aircraft.
#2 Loggers
Loggers work in dangerous conditions in remote areas. When incidents occur, workers are often far away from medical help. Fifty-five loggers died on the job in 2017. Another 350 workers suffered from non-fatal injuries. Falling trees and equipment-related injuries are the top causes of logging deaths in the United States. The overall death rate in the logging industry is 87.3 deaths per 100,000 workers.
#1. Fishing
The highest fatality rate for any industry in the United States is fishing. One hundred workers lose their lives for every 100,000 workers each year. Forty-one workers suffered fatal injuries in 2017. One hundred twenty more workers suffered from serious injuries. The top cause of death in the fishing industry is drowning. Fishers often work in dangerous conditions, on slippery surfaces, and in extreme weather conditions.
What Is the #1 Most Dangerous Job?
According to Time, the most dangerous job in the USA is commercial fishing. Fishers suffer 100 deaths per 100,000 workers each year in the United States. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 41 professional fishers suffered fatal injuries in 2017. Another 120 suffered non-fatal injuries. Drowning is the most common source of death for professional fishers.
Denver Workers’ Compensation Lawyers
Our Denver workers’ compensation attorneys can help you if you’re hurt at work. You may deserve compensation through the workers’ compensation system, or a third-party lawsuit for negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct. Employers have an obligation to provide a safe working environment for their employees. When they don’t, and you get hurt as a result, there’s a good chance that you can claim financial compensation for your injuries and losses.
When you’re hurt in an accident at work, you have injuries and losses. You may be unable to earn an income to support yourself and your family. Your chosen career path may change forever. Our attorneys can help.
There’s no cost to consult with our legal team. We’re prepared to fight for your rights and pursue the maximum amount of compensation possible. See how we can represent you for no money up front. Call us today for your free and confidential consultation.
