In 1970 Congress passed the Occupational Safety and Health Act. That year there were 14,000 workplace fatalities – almost three times as many as fatalities that occurred in 2016. As part of the act, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, was established to set and enforce safety standards in the workplace.
Since 1970 standards have improved and workplace fatalities have decreased. There has been a greater emphasis on employee training, a better understanding of the importance of safety gear, and increased knowledge of safety procedures.
Still, there are some jobs that are more dangerous than others by nature. No matter how strict the safety standards are, there are always accidents and fatal errors. The majority of the jobs on the following list require frequent use of heavy machinery, close proximity to hazardous substances, or working in potentially dangerous environments. For employees and employers in such industries, the risks associated with such occupations can result in extended periods of time off before they can return to work, costly workers’ compensation claims, and a decrease in work morale.
The Top 10 Most Dangerous Occupations
Fatality rates for each of these jobs are more than double the rate across all occupations, and in some cases over 20 times higher.
10. Miscellaneous Agricultural Workers
- Fatal injuries in 2016: 17.4 per 100,000 workers
- Total: 156 fatal injuries, 12,710 nonfatal injuries
- Most common accident: Struck by object
- Median annual wage: $22,520
9. First-line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers
- Fatal injuries in 2016: 18.0 per 100,000 workers
- Total: 134 fatal injuries, 6,090 nonfatal injuries
- Most common accident: Falls, slips, and trips
- Median annual wage: $62,980
8. Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers
- Fatal injuries in 2016: 23.1 per 100,000 workers
- Total: 260 fatal injuries
- Most common accident: Falls, slips, and trips
- Median annual wage: $66,360
7. Driver/Sales Workers and Truck Drivers
- Fatal injuries in 2016: 24.7 per 100,000 workers
- Total: 918 fatal injuries, 80,180 nonfatal injuries
- Most common accident: Overexertion and bodily reaction
- Median annual wage: $36,670
6. Structural Iron and Steel Workers
- Fatal injuries in 2016: 25.1 per 100,000 workers
- Total: 16 fatal injuries, 1,440 nonfatal injuries
- Most common accident: Struck by object
- Median annual wage: $51,80
5. Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors
- Fatal injuries in 2016: 34.1 per 100,000 workers
- Total: 31 fatal injuries, 6,170 nonfatal injuries
- Most common accident: Falls, slips, and trips
- Median annual wage: $35,270
4. Roofers
- Fatal injuries in 2016: 48.6 per 100,000 workers
- Total: 101 fatal injuries, 3,150 nonfatal injuries
- Most common accident: Falls, slips, and trips
- Median annual wage: $37,760
3. Aircraft Pilots and Flight Engineers
- Fatal injuries in 2016: 55.5 per 100,000 workers
- Total: 75 fatal injuries, 470 nonfatal injuries
- Most common accident: Overexertion and bodily reaction
- Median annual wage: $105,720
2. Fishers and Related Fishing Workers
- Fatal injuries in 2016: 86.0 per 100,000 workers
- Total: 24 fatal injuries
- Most common accident: N/A
- Median annual wage: $27,110
1. Logging Workers
- Fatal injuries in 2016: 135.9 per 100,000 workers
- Total: 91 fatal injuries, 900 nonfatal injuries
- Most common accident: Struck by object
- Median annual wage: $37,590
The jobs on the list don’t just have a higher fatality rate – they also have an elevated risk of serious nonfatal injuries. The nonfatal injury rate for many of the jobs on this list are well above the national rate of 783 nonfatal injuries per 100,000 full-time workers.
If you work in one of these occupations and have experienced a work related injury, don’t hesitate to contact the lawyers at Erwin McCane & Daly today. We’re committed to representing injured workers and protecting your rights. With over 30 years of experience you can rest easy knowing we’ll work to maximize your benefits and compensation.
