Most people go to work every morning, taking for granted that they will come home safely at the end of the day. But certain industries make coming home less likely, with high death rates that might make someone think twice about the job they do.

Laboring in fields or on construction sites or working as a logger or in the mining industry can put employees in dangerous situations, resulting in accidents that can cause serious injuries and even death.

Preliminary results of the National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries in 2013 from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) show a total of 4,405 fatal on-the-job injuries in the United States in 2013.

The rate of fatal workplace injuries was 3.2 per 100,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) workers. But several industries have much higher death rates per 100,000 FTE workers.

Do you work in one of those risky industries? Here are the 10 most dangerous jobs in America (see our most recent article about this topic), according to preliminary BLS data as reported by Business Insider:

  1. Construction Laborers
    Fatalities: 215
    Fatality rate: 17.7
    These workers perform physical labor at construction sites, which can include using power and hand tools, digging trenches and preparing the worksite. They also erect scaffolding, set braces to support the sides of excavations and clean up debris and rubble.
  2. Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers
    Fatalities: 27
    Fatality rate: 21.5
    These workers repair or install wires or cables used for electrical power.
  3. Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers
    Fatalities: 220
    Fatality rate: 21.8
    Workers in this industry produce livestock, crops and dairy products.
  4. Driver/Sales Workers and Truck Drivers
    Fatalities: 748
    Fatality rate: 22.0
    These workers are drivers of trucks and other vehicles with an established territory or route to sell or deliver goods, such as food products or a commercial laundry service. The workers might also stock merchandise, collect payments or take orders along the route.
  5. Mining Machine Operators
    Fatalities: 16
    Fatality rate: 26.9
    In a continuous operation, these workers control mining machines that tear metal, coal, rock, sand or stone from the mine face and load it into shuttle cars or conveyors.
  6. Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors
    Fatalities: 33
    Fatality rate: 33.0
    These workers collect recyclable materials and refuse and transfer it from containers into trucks.
  7. Roofers
    Fatalities: 69
    Fatality rate: 38.7
    Workers in this industry repair and install building roofs and use a variety of materials, including metal, asphalt and shingles.
  8. Aircraft Pilots and Flight Engineers
    Fatalities: 63
    Fatality rate: 50.6
    These workers pilot and navigate the flight of a variety of aircraft that carry passengers and cargo, usually on scheduled routes.
  9. Fishers and Related Fishing Workers
    Fatalities: 27
    Fatality rate: 75.0
    Workers in this industry catch fish and other marine life for food, animal feed and bait.
  10. Logging Workers
    Fatalities: 59
    Fatality rate: 91.3
    These workers cut down trees in thousands of acres of forest. This timber provides material for many products and goods.

Sources:

About the Author

Ken Harrell joined Joye Law Firm in 1994, and has been the managing partner since 2006. With 30 years of experience, he protects the rights of injured South Carolinians, including cases involving workers’ compensation, car accidents, and defective products. Ken also leads the firm’s referral practice, helping to ensure that our clients receive the best possible representation. He is a past president of South Carolina Injured Workers’ Advocates, and has served as the co-chairman of this organization’s legislative affairs committee for 12 years.

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