Learn which workers are at higher risk for on the job accidents
In a review of workplace deaths by occupation, 24/7 Wall Street identified the 10 most dangerous jobs in America. People who work in these jobs are more likely to have deadly slip and fall accidents, inadvertent contact with dangerous substances or equipment, and, sometimes, violent confrontations. The fatality rates for these jobs were more than double the rate compared to other jobs, and in some cases, over 20 times higher.
Here are the top 10 most dangerous jobs:
- Loggers: The logging industry is full of extremely physically demanding jobs. In addition, many times individuals are working in remote locations, miles away from the nearest hospital. Common causes of logging related work injuries include blows from falling branches or trees, chainsaw accidents, and accidents involving vehicles or heavy equipment.
- Fishing Related Workers: Commercial fishing is very physical work, with the potential for sprains, strains, repetitive motion injuries, and accidents involving crushing, dismemberment, or drowning. Like loggers, people who work on fishing boats are often out in the water in very remote locations, far from any hospitals or other medical personnel should they become injured.
- Aircraft Pilots and Flight Engineers: Pilots often have varied work schedules that, in many cases, involve overnight layovers. Being a pilot or a flight engineer can be a demanding job that may lead to exhaustion.
- Roofers: Roofers have to lift heavy loads, climb, bend, and kneel all day long, often in extremely hot weather. A fall from the roof of a house or other building can lead to serious injuries. Over 80 percent of roofing related accidents are categorized as falls, slips, and trips.
- Recyclable Material Collectors: The most common cause of death for recyclable material collectors is transportation accidents. Workers may be injured while driving their trucks or while on foot picking up recyclable materials from the bins on the side of the road.
- Steel and Structural Iron Workers: Many structural iron and steel workers work at extreme heights. They are required, in many cases, to raise, place, and unite iron or steel girders, columns, or other structural pieces to form framework, and in some cases, entire buildings or bridges. Because they may be working very high off the ground, a slip and fall or trip and fall can be fatal. However, the most common cause of injury is being hit by an object.
- Truck Drivers and Sales Workers Who Drive For Their Jobs: People in these occupations spend many hours on the road, so they are at high risk for deaths and injuries from vehicular accidents.
- Farmers, Ranchers and Agricultural Managers: Injuries and deaths in this occupation generally involve some type of motorized vehicle such as harvesters, tractors, etc. However, over half of the injuries to agricultural workers come from slips, trips, and falls.
- Construction Workers and/or First-line Supervisors in Construction Trades: Construction work can be a dangerous job. However, job site supervisors seem to be at a greater risk for a fatal accident than the normal laborer. In many cases, construction supervisors work on roadways, where they are struck by a passing vehicle. Other construction related accidents may involve being struck by a falling object or falling from a building.
- Miscellaneous Agricultural Workers: Almost half of all deaths to agricultural workers were caused by a motor vehicle such as a tractor. Agricultural workers are also prone to a variety of injuries. Fortunately, most injuries in this occupation are relatively minor with short recovery times.
Need Help With a Work-Related Accident?
If you or a loved one has had an accident at work or developed an injury or illness due to workplace exposure, you may be entitled to compensation. At The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker, we handle workers’ compensation claims for deaths, injuries, and illnesses. You can count on us to do everything in our power to get your claim approved quickly. Call us at 800-333-0000 for a free consultation.
