No matter how well one prepares for the future, some jobs still come saddled with the looming specter of death more so than others. The Bureau of Labor Statistics regularly releases documents regarding the most dangerous jobs in the United States in terms of both fatalities and injuries – some of which may come as something of a surprise. While taking responsibility and care to prevent injury or death on the job is always advisable, it is an unfortunate truth that even the most astute worker can still suffer the consequences of another’s negligence or a freak accident.
1. Coal Miner
By this point, most people are aware of the dangers associated with coal mining. If the cave-ins, cramped spaces, and other hazards do not directly lead to a serious injury – or death – the miners themselves have to contend with severe exhaustion and a number of different health problems associated with inhaling coal dust on a regular basis. Should they survive the short-term, the long-term health issues such as “black lung” or the depressed immune system that results from pushing the body way too hard carry with them a number of tragic, potentially fatal symptoms.
2. Commercial Fisherman
The popular Discovery Channel series The Deadliest Catch opened up the public’s consciousness to the terrible dangers that lurk in the commercial fishing industry. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, it ranks as one of the most hazardous careers in the United States, with the highest relative risk of any others on the list. Drowning is the most common cause of death, usually as a result of extreme weather conditions capsizing boats.
3. Cop
Not only do cops and other law enforcement officials have to deal with the persistent threat of homicide, but a far heightened risk of car accidents when engaging in chases or attempting to apprehend a criminal or suspect – usually on a highway. Beyond that, technological advances lead to weaponry with a higher probability of killing a police officer, sheriff, or anyone else who impedes the progress of a crime in progress. In spite of the danger, though, most of them still persist in the interest of public safety and a higher purpose.
4. Logger
Loggers, also referred to as timber cutters, and others in the lumber industry face the second-highest fatality rate in the United States, with fishermen at the first. Being struck by an object ranks as the most common cause of death, with 81% of fatalities resulting from these accidents. However, deaths can also come from the extremely dangerous equipment used in the process of logging as well. Saws, cranes, axes, and other sharp or otherwise powerful implements can sever limbs and result in major blood loss or other fatal side effect.
5. Taxi Driver
The worst career hazard associated with taxi driving involves homicide, with 80% of the on-the-job fatalities claimed by these murders. Customers escaping the law or in an altered state of consciousness due to drugs or alcohol can injure, if not outright kill, an “anonymous” target for a number of different motivations – and taxi drivers, unfortunately, prove an easy outlet. However, the risk understandably declines for those working in areas with lower crime rates. Not only must they deal with the lingering threat of homicide, but spending almost an entire day inside a car also increases the chances of a taxi driver suffering an injury or dying in a crash as well.
6. Aircraft Pilot
98% of aircraft pilot fatalities involve crashing a vehicle. While commercial planes intended to shuttle passengers between locations typically stand as a far safer alternative to driving, the issues really come into play for the much smaller aircraft. Birds, for example, frequently find themselves sadly sucked into the engines of planes. Larger models can withstand some of the damages and continue on affected, but not life-threateningly so, while their more diminutive counterparts may crash and injure or kill all within. There are a myriad of tragedies that can take an aircraft down beyond birds, of course, but survivability generally increases exponentially with size.
7. Power Line Worker
Any job requiring the use of electricity involves considerable health and safety threats, but those involving power lines stand as the riskiest. Whether installing or repairing, 60% of on-the-job power line deaths resulted from electrocution. Children and adults are constantly told to keep away from any wires felled by weaknesses, trees, or weather – and for good reason. But somebody has to ensure that the downed power lines get back in proper working order and protect the citizenry from being harmed by them, and unfortunately this entails great personal danger.
8. Truck Driver
Like taxi drivers, those responsible for the cargo in an 18-wheeler or other massive motor vehicle increase their chances of dying in a collision the more time they spend on the highway. Crashes comprise 68% of truck driver fatalities, and even if they survive the entirety of their careers there are still many other health issues to contend with following retirement. Difficult labor, exhaustion, poor eating habits, and erratic hours may all very well contribute to the large amount of heart attacks and instances of cancer found in truck drivers. In addition, those tasked with hauling hazardous materials face the risk of illnesses resulting from frequent exposure.
9. Roofer
Although falls from considerable heights make up 75% of deaths in the roofing profession, those repairing and installing shingles, sidings, and other materials needed to construct a roof must unfortunately deal with other issues. Because they work near electrical elements, they face the risk of electrocution and other serious injuries. The heavy equipment needed to build or fix a roof can also potentially rip off digits or limbs – if not maim, bisect, or behead.
10. Iron & Steel Worker
Workers dealing with iron, steel, and other metals suffer a fatality rate of 45.5, which comprise 66% of the recorded fatalities. The majority of these deaths come from falling off of steep surfaces, but exposure to heavy machinery and occasionally superheated, melted substances (in the case of those working in factories where the metals themselves are treated and shaped) also contributes to the heightened risk as well. If they do not die, then there is always the possibility of severe injury resulting from working in conjunction with such equipment.
11. Trash Collector
Nearly any job involving trash will heighten the risk of death, injury, or illness. Individuals tasked with driving and transporting refuse spend enough time on or near the road to face accidents – some involving crashes, though the most common fatalities involve a trash collector on foot being struck by another motorist. Other causes for concern include exposure to toxic and hazardous materials on a daily basis, which may lead to an eventually tiresome and lingering death from a serious illness.
12. Construction Worker
The number of potential dangers on the average construction site unfortunately put many of the other jobs on this list to shame. 28% of deaths are vehicular in origin, and 27% involve falling – and those are only the two biggest threats. Heavy machinery, sharp tools and equipment, and the presence of electricity are only some of the hazards faced by construction workers on a daily basis.
13. Electrician
Beyond those working with power lines, general electricians who specialize in other types of wiring and repair also face grave danger every work day. Whether commercial, residential, or developing consumer products, the threat of electrocution always hangs over their delicate jobs. Minor shocks are commonplace, but other factors such as weather, harsh or cramped conditions, and exhaustion all serve to distract and ramp up the possibility of a serious incident. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that 59% of electricians killed while working suffered from an electrocution.
14. Farmer
Ranchers and farmers alike make their money doing one of the most hazardous careers in the United States. Around 50% of on-the-job deaths stem from vehicular accidents, but many, many other dangers exist in this field as well. Hay balers are apparently some of the worst pieces of heavy machinery found on a farm, but even simple ladders and pitchforks still pose some pretty serious threats. Any establishment dealing with large animals such as cattle or horses also must fear deadly kicks or gouging as well.
15. Nonconstruction Laborer
Construction workers undoubtedly suffer from the side effects of backbreaking labor, but so do those outside that industry as well. Nonconstruction labor includes, but is obviously not limited to, some warehouse, factory, and dock positions, and each of them involves their own set of different risks. However, deaths as a result of vehicular malfunction or crash seem to be the most common element between them – in fact, about 36% of nonconstruction worker fatalities stem directly from this. Unfortunately, many employers who hire illegal immigrants for labor frequently increase their odds of perishing on the job due to negligence.
16. Guard
Like their semi-counterparts in the police force, guards – no matter their location – contend with an increased risk of dying due to homicide. Obviously, much of this depends on whether or not they get stationed in an area with a more dire crime rate, though all of them still have to deal with some degree of threat to their physical well-being. 58% of guard deaths reported while on the clock stem from being murdered, though, and many, many more suffer from injuries – some fatal, some not – sustained during an assault or battery incident.
17. Carpenter
In spite of the fact that they work with considerable amounts of heavy machinery and power tools, the leading cause of job-related death amongst carpenters generally involves falling. 43%, actually. But the dangers exist far beyond high surfaces. Saws, nail guns, staple guns, power sanders, hammers, and other tools also pose significant threats as well, either when dropped from significant heights, broken, or used improperly.
18. Welder
The two most common venues of on-the-job death for welders and cutters are falls (at 22%) and fires (at 18%). Beyond that, though, working with superheated plasma and exposure potentially toxic substances also result in severe injuries that may eventually result in a casualty – or even a grave illness. The sheer number of chemicals involved in a welding job can be absorbed into the body through breathing or the skin, with the former as the most common venue. Not to mention all the radiation floating about in addition to the contaminants.
19. Auto Mechanic
Although their jobs routinely involve working underneath heavy machinery with pieces of heavy machinery, auto mechanics actually die on the job more frequently through other causes. Highway accidents account for 21% of these fatalities, and homicides for another 13%. However, the cars themselves and the equipment still pose a number of threats, most especially when a mechanic works underneath a vehicle with unstable suspension or with malfunctioning equipment.
20. Cook
Cooks and kitchen staff members sustain quite a bit of injury, though death is more rare than many other jobs on this list. 33% of physical damages come from contact with an overheated, damaged, or otherwise compromised surface. Slips and falls are also common, though almost never deadly. However, due to the presence of numerous safety hazards – even in the best of conditions – it is entirely possible that a fatal accident can still occur in a kitchen setting over many other comparatively safer environments.
21. Nurse
As with cooks, nurses may not necessarily die on the job, but they run a far higher risk of injury and illness which may potentially lead to perishing. Though frequently exposed to contagious conditions, those in the healthcare profession mostly grapple against exhaustion – and 59% of any extended injuries or illnesses result from overexertion. Of course, working in environments near infectious diseases does not necessarily help, but compromised immune systems and pushing one’s body to the very limits in the service of others can lead to perilous situations.
22. Janitor
Janitors may not necessarily risk death while going about their daily routine, but they still have to cope with the persistent threat of various injuries. Some may occasionally prove fatal, though not quite to the same degree as a fisherman or truck driver. Like nurses, extending themselves to the point of severe exhaustion makes for the majority of health issues – 27% of recorded cases of janitorial on-the-job injuries, in fact. Hurting one’s back or limbs is commonplace, and exposure to toxic cleaning substances on a regular basis may lead to a slow death later on down the line.
23. Supervisor
Along with supervisors, proprietors and sales associates and managers all suffer from a heightened risk of dying on the job. Homicides comprised 63% of supervisor deaths while on the clock. This is unfortunately likely due to the fact that they make for convenient targets for criminals, though other factors may be at play as well. Anyone working in a sales position that requires travel must also contend with an increased chance of injury or death in a vehicular accident.
24. Stock Handler
Both baggers and stock handlers succumb to great exhaustion due to the highly physical nature of their work, with 37% of their on-the-job injuries and illnesses attributed to the condition. Death is uncommon, of course, but anyone handling heavy or unwieldy stock or required to take inventory at great heights run a heightened risk of an accident. Falls or drops can account for a fatality at work, and become especially disconcerting when combined with overexertion.
25. Cashier
Cashier jobs combine the worst of supervisor and stock handler positions. Not only do they face greater odds of being the victim of a homicide while working, they also have to contend with severe exhaustion as well. 92% of cashiers who died at work ended up on the more unfortunate end of a murder, and 27% of their job-related injuries stemmed from severe exhaustion as a result of physical labor, spending a good bit of the work day on the feet, and keeping erratic hours.
Being able to acknowledge the risks associated with a certain career, yet still working it for the sake of the greater good is an incredibly admirable trait. The police officer who protects the citizenry from harm or the commercial fisherman who puts food on their tables do what they do because it is what they want for themselves. All of these men and women deserve the appreciation of those they strive to serve for the sacrifices they make on a daily basis.
