These Are the Most Dangerous Jobs You Can Have in America

Oliver Llaneza Hesse
Oliver Llaneza Hesse / Construction Photography/Avalon/GettyImages

Job fatalities in the U.S. have decreased since 1970, but thousands of on-the-job deaths still happen every year. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is a government agency created in response to the growing number of job fatalities in the U.S. According to OSHA, 3.5 out of every 100,000 people die on the job each year. While most occupations have reasonably low chances, some jobs increase the possibility of danger. See If your profession is on the list.

Helpers in the Construction Trade

The description of the work that construction trade assistants do is complex and demanding. The majority of their work consists of assisting other workers with tasks such as loading and unloading construction materials and transporting them to different work areas.

When this is taken into consideration, the likelihood of being in a situation that could end in death is extremely high. The majority of the time, a fatal accident on the job occurs when a worker slips and falls from a significant height.

Heavy Machinery and Heavy Logs

It is starting to become clear to us that jobs are typically the ones that present the greatest risk. Workers in the logging industry definitely have one of the lowest median annual salaries, and they face a significant danger of both fatal and nonfatal injuries on the job.

Workers in this industry frequently perform their duties outside, in secluded locations that lack convenient access to urgent care facilities. In 2018, there were 75 fatalities, and 1,040 nonfatal ones were recorded. Most of the nonfatal ones were caused by dangerous equipment, such as chainsaws and wood shippers.

Very Dangerous Diesel Engine Job

Accidental deaths caused by heavy pieces of machinery falling on people is the leading cause of death on the job for engine specialists who diagnose, adjust, and repair buses and trucks. These professionals are accountable for ensuring that the engines of the vehicles are secure.

There is a good chance that a person will pass away if they are crushed beneath a vehicle that weighs between 10,000 and 40,000 pounds. Workers in this line of work also have one of the highest rates of injury on the list. During just the year 2018, a diesel engine specialist recorded 3,160 different injuries.

Working In Mining Is Not That Ideal

It should come as no surprise that operating mining machinery is one of the most dangerous jobs, given that there are an astounding 9 fatal injuries for every 3,280 jobs in this industry. Heavy machinery operators in the mining industry are responsible for operating equipment such as cranes and cement mixers.

When you throw in some power tools here and there, along with some air hammers and earth tampers, you've got yourself a potential killer situation. As machines are an essential part of their jobs, it should come as no surprise that accidents involving machines are the leading cause of death in this industry.

The Dangers Surrounding Construction Equipment Operators

The workplaces of engineers and people who operate machinery are not always the safest places to be. When operating heavy machinery, flying objects are the primary cause of fatal injuries and should be avoided at all costs. There is a purpose behind the presence of warning signs as well as instructions on how to operate potentially hazardous machinery.

These engineers and equipment operators make frequent use of bulldozers, pumps, derricks, and various other forms of power equipment when excavating the grade and pouring concrete. As a direct consequence of this, there were a total of 39 fatal accidents involving this machinery in the year 2018.

Worrying Stats In Construction Laborers' Profession

Construction work is consistently ranked among the most physically demanding jobs available anywhere in the world. It should not come as a surprise that there are a great number of fatal accidents due to exhaustion because working long hours shifts during hot or cold days is challenging.

If you want to achieve the American dream, it is not ideal to have a job that requires you to put in a lot of hard work, have a typical annual salary of $36,000, and work in an environment that is hazardous. Despite that, the very possibility of not coming home at the end might not be all that appealing.

Policework Is Definitely Dangerous

When we think of people who have integrity, the first people that typically come to mind are law enforcement officers and other members of the armed forces. Despite this, working as a police officer who is also responsible for the community can be an extremely stressful job.

In most cases, a job description for law enforcement will include a number of potentially hazardous components. According to the findings of some statistical studies, approximately one-half of the fatal injuries sustained by police officers on the job is the result of being struck by vehicles while attempting to issue citations. The other half takes place during the process of fighting crime.

First-Line Supervisors – Being Around Heavy Machinery

Working with heavy machinery and equipment, the supervisor of mechanics, installers, and repairers are responsible for ensuring that safe practices are followed in the workplace. In some cases that involve being in very close proximity to dangerous machinery, and automated production lines.

Both men and women who work in the field are frequently required to perform their jobs while perched precariously atop scaffolding or other potentially hazardous platforms. In addition to this, the level of payment does not correspond to the level of responsibility.

Repair Workers – Getting Through Nooks And Crannies

The general maintenance workers will perform everything from plumbing, carpeting, electrical, heating, and cooling to repairs for assigned equipment. Therefore, it is understandable why workers in this profession are in a group at risk of fatal injuries.

The rate of fatal injuries in this industry is shockingly high, coming in at 12.5 per 100,000 workers in 2018. When you just look at the numbers, the job doesn't seem very appealing. This industry is indeed a hostile working environment.