Every job comes with some occupational hazards. However, working in certain industries puts some people at an increased risk of suffering catastrophic or fatal injuries on the job.
In this post, we will look at the 10 most dangerous jobs in the U.S. We also explore what you should know if you or your loved one works in one of these positions.
The top 10 most dangerous jobs
According to 2018 data recently analyzed by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the 10 most dangerous jobs are:
- Logging workers (74 fatal injuries, 1,040 non-fatal injuries)
- Fishers (30 fatal injuries)
- Pilots and flight engineers (70 fatal injuries, 490 non-fatal injuries)
- Roofers (96 fatal injuries, 2,060 non-fatal injuries)
- Waste collectors (37 fatal injuries, 1,490 non-fatal injuries)
- Truckers and drivers/sales workers (966 fatal injuries, 78,520 non-fatal injuries)
- Farmworkers (257 fatal injuries, 280 non-fatal injuries)
- Steel and iron workers (15 fatal injuries, 800 non-fatal injuries)
- First-line supervisors of extraction and construction workers (144 fatal injuries, 5,390 non-fatal injuries)
- First-line supervisors of groundskeepers and landscaping services (142 fatal injuries, 1,990 non-fatal injuries)
Why these occupations are so dangerous
Based on the data presented by the BLS, workers in these occupations suffer most of their injuries in transportation-related accidents. Machinery and falls also caused many fatal and non-fatal injuries.
If you or a loved one works in these roles, you must take the appropriate safety precautions. Such measures include wearing proper safety gear at all times and securing necessary training before using powerful equipment.
Protecting yourself after an accident
Unfortunately, workers can only do so much to stay safe, especially when a job is inherently unsafe. We cannot control the weather or the behaviors of reckless drivers; we cannot predict a tripping accident or when a machine might malfunction.
Because of this, it is essential to understand that there may be remedies for work-related injuries and fatalities. Benefits like workers’ compensation could be available after an occupational accident, regardless of fault. Third-party negligence claims may also be appropriate.
If you work in a dangerous occupation, you likely already recognize the risks to your safety. However, you should also recognize your rights and legal options regarding compensation after an accident.
