Dangerous jobs refer to jobs that cause the most injury or deaths. I am very proud of the men and women who work these jobs and put their life at risk for our country. The top ten most dangerous jobs are Fisherman, Loggers, Pilots and Flight Engineers, Iron and Steel Welders, Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors, Farmers and Ranchers, Roofers, Sales and Truck Drivers, Police Sheriff and Patrol Officers.
Fishermen have a very dangerous job with 142 deaths per 100,000 workers. National Institute for Occupational Safety reported that in 2006, commercial fishing had the most dangerous job in the United States. Fishermen risk their lives to catch and haul millions of tons of seafood to consumers. Alaska’s commercial fishermen work in the harshest environments. They have to deal with isolated fishing grounds, high winds, seasonal darkness, very cold water and icing. They also have a very short fishing season that causes them to work extremely long days and they become fatigued and physically stressed. Since the USCG implemented new safety requirements in the early 1990’s, there have been fewer fatalities, but Fishermen still have the most dangerous job in the United States.
A logger is a man who harvests lumber. There are 82 deaths per 100,000 workers, which makes this a very dangerous job. Loggers are sometimes referred to a “lumberjack”, “woodcutter” or “woodhick”. If you are a woman, you may be called a “lumberjill”. A logger’s job is very dangerous due to their task of cutting and skidding logs out of the woods. There have been many injuries and deaths every year from falling trees and branches as well as rolling logs. Loggers are required to use safety items including a hard hat, hearing protection, eye protection and chainsaw chaps. They use chainsaws and a have big tractors called a skidder with power winches attached to chains which can be very dangerous. Loggers have remained consistent as being one of the most hazardous industries in the United States.
Pilots and Flight Engineers also have a dangerous job with 88 deaths per 100,000 workers. There are several reasons why commercial pilots have dangerous work environments. They spend many hours away from home due to their flights having overnight layovers. Airline pilots often become fatigued that is caused by many hours of flying through different time zones. Pilots must also stay alert and be quick to react if something does go wrong, especially during takeoff and landing. Flight Engineers have hazardous jobs because they are testing experimental planes, which could be dangerous since they are the first to try them. Pilots who are crop-dusters may be exposed to toxic chemicals, which can put them at risk. Helicopter pilots have a job that is dangerous due to the rescue work they have to perform. Pilots and Flight Engineers really take risks when it comes to their job.
Structural Reinforcing Iron and Metal Workers really have a dangerous job because they risk falling and there are 61 deaths per 100,000 workers in this industry. The workers climb several stories to place and install iron or steel girders, columns, and other construction materials to form building, bridges, and other structures. Even though they have harnesses and other safety gear, they face a very high risk of fatal injuries from falls. Iron and Steel Welders work in all kinds of weather except when it is wet, icy, or extremely windy conditions.
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector’s job can be dangerous if households throw away hazardous materials that they have to dispose. Sometimes there are explosions with these hazardous materials, which their job can become fatal. They also risk traffic accidents. A lot of motorists are very careless around these workers when they want to get around them while the workers are collecting and this causes accidents. There have been 42 deaths out of 100,000 workers.
A Roofers job can be very intense and dangerous. There are 34 deaths per 100,000 workers. When Roofers climb on top of a house to build or repair a roof, they risk falling from the roof as well as the scaffolds and ladders. They also risk burning themselves on flammable, toxic materials they may use. Some other dangers that roofers face are windy conditions, walking on a steeply pitched roof and they must watch out for any electrical equipment. A Roofer must stay alert to stay safe from their dangerous job.
Farmer and Ranchers have a dangerous job because of the tractors and machinery they use to plant, cultivate and harvest crops. These machines are very heavy and often have occupational accidents, which is often fatal. There are 38 deaths per 100,000 workers in the farming industry.
Electrical Power Line Installer and Repairer climb up power poles and towers to install or fix consumers electricity when the lights go out. They have a high risk of injury due to falls since the power lines are usually off the ground and they have to climb to get to them. They also have a risk of electrocution from contact with the high-voltage power lines. There are 35 deaths per 100,00 workers for the Electricians.
Sales Drivers and Truck Drivers have a dangerous job because of their extensive driving. There are 27 deaths per 100,000 workers for the truck drivers. Sales workers sell their firm’s products over established routes and truck drivers transport goods as well as cars and livestock. These drivers spend a majority of their time on the road, which puts them at a very high risk of highway accidents. Ice Road Truckers have the highest dangerous job out of all the truck drivers. Ice Roads are built from gravel and crushed stone piled high on top of permanently frozen ground. It can be treacherous driving on Ice Roads and even more so in the winter months.
Agricultural Workers work in crop production, which risk exposure to pesticides and other hazardous chemical sprayed on crops or plants. The agriculture workers that work on mechanized farms have to navigate the hazards of tools and heavy equipment and those agriculture workers that work directly with animals, have a risk of being bitten or kicked. There are 22 deaths per 100,000 workers in the Agricultural Industry.
With the World having so many dangerous jobs, if we come across a Fisherman, Logger, Pilot or Flight Engineer, Iron or Steel Welder, Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector, Farmer or Rancher, Roofer, Sales or Truck Driver, or Police Sheriff or Patrol Officer, we should stop and thank them for the risk they take for every consumer out there and that they are very much appreciated.
Sources:
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/fishing/
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/logging/
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos107.htm
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos215.htm#outlook
http://www.wikipedia.com
