Here are ten of the most dangerous jobs in America, based on injury and fatality rates, as well as overall risk factors:
1. Logging Workers
- Fatality Rate: 135.9 per 100,000 workers
- Dangers: Working with heavy machinery, chainsaws, and unpredictable tree falls. Logging often takes place in remote, dangerous locations with harsh weather conditions.
2. Fishing Workers
- Fatality Rate: 86 per 100,000 workers
- Dangers: Rough seas, dangerous equipment, and long hours in extreme weather. Commercial fishing is hazardous due to the nature of the work and the remote locations.
3. Aircraft Pilots and Flight Engineers
- Fatality Rate: 57 per 100,000 workers
- Dangers: Small aircraft crashes, often due to mechanical failure or adverse weather conditions. Pilots of non-commercial flights are at higher risk than commercial airline pilots.
4. Roofers
- Fatality Rate: 47 per 100,000 workers
- Dangers: Working at great heights with the risk of falls, slips, and heat exposure. Roofers face danger from both the work environment and unpredictable weather conditions.
5. Construction Workers
- Fatality Rate: 40.2 per 100,000 workers
- Dangers: Heavy machinery, heights, electrical hazards, and the potential for being struck by objects. Construction is physically demanding and dangerous due to the tools and equipment involved.
6. Garbage Collectors
- Fatality Rate: 34.9 per 100,000 workers
- Dangers: Working with heavy equipment and exposure to dangerous substances. Garbage collectors also face hazards from traffic and the risk of being struck by vehicles.
7. Iron and Steel Workers
- Fatality Rate: 29.8 per 100,000 workers
- Dangers: Working at extreme heights and handling heavy materials. Steel and iron workers face a high risk of falls, equipment malfunctions, and being struck by objects.
8. Truck Drivers
- Fatality Rate: 26.8 per 100,000 workers
- Dangers: Long hours on the road, hazardous driving conditions, and fatigue. Truck drivers face a high risk of accidents, often due to inclement weather or mechanical failure.
9. Farmers, Ranchers, and Agricultural Workers
- Fatality Rate: 23.1 per 100,000 workers
- Dangers: Heavy machinery, unpredictable livestock, and exposure to chemicals. The physical demands of farming and ranching, combined with working in isolated areas, increase the risk of injury.
10. Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers
- Fatality Rate: 20.6 per 100,000 workers
- Dangers: Electrocution, falls from heights, and exposure to hazardous conditions during storms or repairs. Power-line workers often work in extreme weather conditions to restore power.
These jobs require physical labor, exposure to hazardous environments, and the use of dangerous tools and machinery, leading to high injury and fatality rates. Many of them also involve working in remote or difficult locations, which increases the risks.