Most Dangerous Jobs in America

While 2017 saw fewer accidental workplace fatalities in the U.S. than the previous year, the 5,147 fatalities that did occur remain among the highest numbers in a decade. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ annual National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries report, drug overdoses have contributed to these high numbers, with drug overdose-related fatalities on the job increasing by at least 25 percent annually in the last five years.

Though no occupation is free from the possibility of accidental fatalities on the job, there are certain occupations that see a higher risk of fatalities. According to the manager of statistics at the National Safety Council, those occupations usually have certain traits in common. They involve:

• Driving for long periods of time
• Working from dangerous heights where a fall could prove fatal
• Working with dangerous machinery

Most Dangerous Occupations

After reviewing workplace fatality rates by occupation, the most dangerous jobs include those that leave workers open to violent confrontations, contact with dangerous substances or equipment, or fatal slip and falls. After reviewing the fatal injury rates for 72 different occupations, the most dangerous were identified, each with a rate of more than double that across all occupations. The most dangerous occupations of 2017 were:

• Fishermen and related fishing workers
• Logging workers
• Aircraft pilots and flight engineers
• Roofers
• Refuse and recyclable material collectors
• Structural iron and steel workers
• Driver/sales workers and truck drivers
• Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers
• Supervisors of landscaping, lawn service, and groundskeeping workers
• Electrical power-line installers and repairers
• Agricultural workers
• First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers
• Maintenance and repair workers
• Construction laborers
• First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers
• Police and patrol officers
• Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators
• Mining machine operators
• Taxi drivers and chauffeurs
• Athletes, coaches, umpires, and related workers
• Firefighters
• Electricians

Certain occupations were not surprising to be dangerous, such as firefighters, police officers, and electricians, as they naturally deal with intrinsically dangerous materials and situations. However, some jobs were more surprising, such as landscaping supervisors, recyclable material collectors, and coaches.

The Cherry Hill Workers’ Compensation Lawyers at DiTomaso Law offer this infographic that lists jobs with the highest rates of workplace fatality and what to do if you are injured on the job.

If you or a loved one has been hurt at your place of work, the affects of an injury can prove devastating physically, emotionally, and financially. At DiTomaso Law, our Cherry Hill Workers’ Compensation lawyers help clients obtain the financial resources to get through this difficult time. To learn more about how we can help or to schedule a free consultation, contact us online or call us at 856-414-0010 today. Located in Center City Philadelphia and Cherry Hill, New Jersey, we serve clients from the surrounding areas, including South Jersey, Cherry Hill, Mt. Holly, and Camden County.