10 most dangerous jobs in the US
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From the relatively exotic to the seemingly mundane, certain occupations carry an underlying danger that can reach up to 116 fatalities per 100,000 workers.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ most recent figures, there were 4,547 fatal occupational injuries in 2012, or four fewer than reported in 2009. The majority of these injuries occur in a handful of sectors representing the most dangerous ways to earn a living in the country. — Bankrate.com
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Fishing
Risk factors: The producers of “Deadliest Catch” don't need to create much artificial drama, as fishers and fishing workers have, on average, the most dangerous jobs in the country. Malfunctioning gear, inclement weather, and transportation incidents all factor into the fact that this profession has the country’s highest fatality rate, a distinction it has held since 1992.
Fatality rate: 116 per 100,000 workers; 29 total
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Logging workers
Risk factors: Total logging fatalities in the United States increased from 36 in 2009 to 59 in 2010, with more than half of the incidents resulting from being struck by an object. Dangers abound when you spend most of your days outside with heavy machinery, frequent bad weather, and occasional high altitudes.
Fatality rate: 91.9 per 100,000 workers; 59 total
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Aircraft pilots and flight engineers
Risk factors: Though pilots are often financially compensated for the inherent dangers and responsibilities of their jobs, no amount of money can change the fact that it’s a long way down. It’s no surprise transportation accidents, including crashes, were a leading factor in the rate.
Fatality rate: 70.6 per 100,000 workers; 78 total
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Farmers and ranchers
Risk factors: Working the land may be one of the oldest professions, but new efficient technology has done little to make the job any safer. Long hours and close, consistent contact with heavy machinery and equipment represent the bulk of injuries and fatalities on the job, which is largely represented by transportation incidents.
Fatality risk: 41.4 per 100,000 workers; 300 total
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Mining
Risk factors: Heavy machinery, close quarters, and explosive materials all play into mining’s high fatality rate, which took into account the 2010 incidents of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig and Upper Big Branch Mine in West Virginia. Mining machine operators have an even higher rate, at 38.7 per 100,000 workers, or 23 fatalities in total.
Fatality risk: 19.9 per 100,000 workers; 172 total
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Roofers
Risk factors: It doesn’t take a history in roofing to know the biggest danger is not a sunburn or a hammered finger. Falls are the leading culprit in fatal injuries, while other nonfatal injuries such as fractures make general construction work among the most injury-prone jobs.
Fatality rate: 32.4 per 100,000 workers; 57 total
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Refuse and recyclable material collectors
Risk factors: Trash and recyclable collectors don’t get enough credit for maintaining order in society. Trash collector strikes are never a pretty thing and neither is the high fatality rate, which is mostly due to transportation incidents. It also was the fourth most dangerous occupation for nonfatal injuries, primarily lacerations.
Fatality rate: 29.8 per 100,000 workers; 26 total
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Truck drivers
Risk factors: Incredibly long hours and quick turnarounds complicate an already dangerous situation with a truck of up to 40 tons in highway settings. Highway crashes are the leading cause. Overexertion (23 percent of reported nonfatal injuries) from long-term poor posture contribute to additional health problems
Fatality risk: 21.8 per 100,000 workers; 683 total
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Stuntman
Risk factors: Even with the increased use of computer-generated images, or CGI, in movies, the job is still regarded as one of the most dangerous in the country due to long hours and obvious dangers of their stunts. A stuntman for the Broadway musical “Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark” claimed he sustained a concussion and knee injuries.
Fatality rate: The last available figures reflected 2.5 fatalities per 1,000 workers.
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Police and sheriff patrol officers
Total police fatalities in the United States increased by 40 percent, from 96 in 2009 to 134 in 2010. Of those 134 fatal injuries, 57 were sustained during highway incidents and 48 involved homicides.
Fatality rate: 134 total
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