According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics‘ most recent study, there were 4,547 occupational injury fatalities in 2010. The majority of these injuries occur in only a handful of occupations that are the most dangerous ways to earn a living in the United States. Certain jobs carry an underlying danger that can reach up to 116 fatalities per 100,000 workers.1. Fishing- The most dangerous job in the country on average since 1992. The fatality rate is 116 per 100,000 workers, 29 in total.
2. Logging Workers- Logging fatalities have increased 63.8% from 2009 to 2010 (36 fatalities to 59) with more than half of the incidents resulting from being struck by an object. The fatality rate is 91.9 per 100,000 workers, 59 in total.
3. Aircraft Pilots and Flight Engineers- Transportation accidents, including crashes, were a leading factor in the rate, which is 70.6 per 100,000 workers, or 78 in total.
4. Farmers and Ranchers- New technology and equipment has led to the bulk of injuries and fatalities on the job, which are usually transportation accidents. The fatality rate is 41.4 per 100,000 workers, or 300 in total.
5. Mining- Heavy machinery and explosives relate to the high fatality rate of 19.9 per 100,000 or 172 in total; and mining machine operators in particular have an even higher rate at 38.7 per 100,000 or 23 fatalities in 2010.
6. Roofers- Falls are the leading cause in fatal injuries with 32.4 per 100,000 workers and 57 in total.
7. Trash and Recyclable Collectors- Transportation accidents are the main cause in trash and recyclable fatalities, and it is also the fourth most dangerous for nonfatal injuries. The fatality rate is 29.8 per 100,000 and 26 workers in total.
8. Truck Drivers- Highway crashes are the leading cause of fatalities due to incredibly long hours, quick turnarounds, and the extremely heavy 40 ton truck. 683 truck drivers died in 2010 with a fatality rate of 21.8 per 100,000.
9. Stuntman- Lighting yourself on fire, recreating car wrecks and falling from extreme heights have not been made any safer of the years despite new technology and computer-generated images in movies. The latest figures showed the fatality rate at 2.5 out of every 1,000 stunt workers.
10. Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers- 134 police and sheriff’s patrol officers lost their lives on the job in 2010, a 40% increase from the previous year. Fifty seven of the tragedies were highway accidents and forty eight were reported as homicides. The fatality rate is 18 per 100,000 workers, with 133 in total.
Pulgini & Norton, LLP attorneys have handled workers’ compensation claims for over 25 years in and around Boston and its surrounding areas. If you or a family member has been injured at work and would like to seek legal assistance, please contact us at (781) 843-2200 or (888) 344-2046 or email us.
Cited Sources:
10 Most Dangerous Jobs in the US, boston.com, June 4, 2012
The 10 Most Dangerous Jobs in the U.S., Yahoo.com, June 4, 2012