According to reports in 2021, the most dangerous jobs in US caused 5,190 fatal work injuries. That represents 8.9% more fatal workplace accidents than in 2020. 3.6 fatalities per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers in 2021 is also the highest rate since 2016.
Most people are undoubtedly aware that holding a desk job is riskier than being a law enforcement officer. You might be surprised to learn that some of the riskiest employment in America are found in some sectors, such as farming or transportation.
profession stability is a significant advantage of taking on a dangerous profession because some of the riskiest occupations in our nation are essential to our infrastructure and daily life. Although these positions are unsuitable for everyone, workers can succeed even in difficult working conditions.
Are you thinking about entering a dangerous line of work and want to know how it compares to others? Learn about the top 10 most hazardous jobs in the US according to Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data for 2020 before deciding if one of these professions is suited for you.
10 Most Dangerous Jobs in US
1. Vehicle Driver
On our first list of most dangerous jobs in us are vehicle drivers. Transporting products, people, and materials is how a driver of a motor vehicle makes a living.
To deliver or pick up merchandise or passengers, they travel to and from retail establishments, distribution hubs, manufacturing facilities, and other areas.
Most of the time, drivers of motor vehicles work from their vehicles, which means that they spend most of their time traveling. Depending on where they are, they may travel considerably and frequently work different hours (any day of the year).
Among the several sorts of motor vehicle operators are:
- Shipment truckers
- Sales drivers
- Material moving workers
- Heavy or tractor-trailer truck drivers
- Tow truck drivers
- Tractor and forklift operators are not included in this category.
At first glance, this may not appear to be a perilous line of employment. However, because of their time on the road, motor vehicle operators have a high rate of injury and fatality.
2. Construction Employee
Construction workers operate as part of a larger construction crew and are responsible for various tasks depending on the project. Many construction workers do things like knock down buildings, lay concrete, and dig tunnels.
A highway maintenance worker, as an example of a construction worker, solely maintains roads, highways, and runways. They safeguard the safety of these facilities by repairing road markings and guardrails.
- Filling potholes is another duty of a highway maintenance worker.
- Increasing the capacity of existing infrastructure.
- Repairing a shattered sidewalk.
- Roads are being prepared for extreme weather.
- Debris removal from highways.
- This group also includes construction craftsmen (excluding roofers), supervisors/managers, and construction laborers.
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Agricultural Employee
Agricultural workers use farm machinery, care for crops, and look after livestock.
Farmers are agricultural experts who cultivate plants or raise animals. Crop farmers cultivate, fertilize, and harvest fruits and vegetables, whereas livestock farmers rear domesticated animals for meat and other animal products.
Farmers and agricultural laborers may do the following duties on a normal day:
- Care for animals
- Use tools and machinery to perform manual tasks.
- Oversee a group of farm workers.
- Animals must be fed or herded.
- Crops can be planted, fertilized, watered, or harvested.
- Buy supplies like seeds or farm equipment.
- Sell food, animal goods, or cattle.
This type of job includes, in addition to farmers and ordinary agricultural workers:
- Ranchers
- Agricultural supervisors
- Various agricultural labourers (e.g., animal breeders, inspectors, etc.)
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Worker in Grounds Maintenance
Landscapes are created and maintained by ground maintenance workers. A grounds maintenance worker’s typical tasks include trimming hedges and trees.
- Watering lawns and gardens.
- Pesticides are being applied.
- Taking down dead trees and shrubbery.
- Tree trimmers, pesticide handlers, and landscapers are all included in this group.
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Retail Salesperson
Retail sales may not appear to be a particularly dangerous occupation. However, with much retail staff getting overworked (particularly during peak seasons) and sometimes misunderstanding the dangers of their jobs, it can become deadly.
Improper training, inexperience, or overexertion are among the probable causes of retail sales workers’ high fatality rates. Assaults and violent attacks, on the other hand, constitute major risks.
Other jobs listed in this category, in addition to retail salespeople, are:
- Supervisors/managers of sales personnel
- Representatives of sales
- Sales representatives
- Various sales personnel (i.e., seasonal employees)
- Door-to-door sales representatives
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Automobiles and Mobile Equipment Installer, Mechanic, or Repairer
Vehicle or mobile equipment mechanics, installers, and repairers work with dangerous vehicles and machinery. They check, service, and repair automobiles and vehicles.
Heavy truck and mobile equipment service technician is another job in this category. They examine, maintain, and repair heavier trucks as well as other equipment such as tractors and rail transit cars.
These roles’ primary responsibilities include:
- Using diagnostic tools to identify the issue.
- Performing basic care and maintenance tasks such as cleaning or
- Parts must be disassembled and reassembled.
- Testing components and systems.
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Worker in Law Enforcement
There are numerous job prospects in law enforcement, including:
- Officers of the law
- Detectives
- Security personnel
- Bailiffs
- Officers of the law
These professions exist to defend property and people’s lives. As a result, law enforcement officers frequently put themselves in danger or face problems while on the job.
A police officer, for example, works for the government to enforce laws and keep communities safe. Police officers may respond to emergency calls, investigate crimes, and issue tickets based on their level of experience and rank.
Some law enforcement officers work for the government, while others work for private companies or individuals.
8. Roofer Roofers install, replace, and repair building roofs.
Roofers employ instruments to ensure the safety and security of shelters by using materials such as shingles or metal.
They frequently specialize in particular areas, such as shingling, solar, or hot roofing. Roofers may be assigned more particular jobs such as flash heat welding or manufacturing HVAC duct ways based on their specialities.
9. Hand Material and Freight Mover
Hand labourers is another name for Hand Material and Freight Workers. Their job description is to manually move cargo and other materials. The main job of hand laborers are:
- Packing products by hand.
- Sorting materials.
- Cleaning equipment, workplaces or vehicles.
- Manually picking up and dropping shipments or deliveries.
- Recording moved material in a logbook.
- This set of workers often works in loading docks, warehouses, or shipment centres.
- Some retrieve products from one area and move them somewhere else, while others may load and unload cargo.
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Metal and Plastic Workers
Metal and plastic workers cut, mould, or shape plastic and metal products with machinery. The input materials into the machines after they have been set up to make various completed products. Metal and plastic employees are also responsible for repairing or correcting worn or damaged tools in the machinery they utilize.
The majority of metal and plastic workers work in factories. The manufacturing industry employs the majority of the workforce.
Conclusion
While many of them are popular job opportunities, they are risky owing to the inherent physical danger. Workers in these jobs may put themselves in dangerous situations if necessary safeguards are not taken.
Transportation, material moving, construction, and extraction activities, for example, accounted for more than 47% of all fatal occupational injuries.
However, these dangerous jobs are necessary to maintain the quality of living that people in the United States have come to expect. People with the right training and temperament can work in dangerous vocations successfully.
Understanding your talents, hobbies, and natural abilities may assist you in determining which (if any) of these riskiest careers in America is a good fit for you.