Top 10 Dangerous Occupations in America
Terry Bryant December 4th, 2007
After 9/11 the sense of safety and security in the mind of the Amercian worker changed significantly. Before that 1 in 6 workers felt that his job was dangerous. Now 1 in 4 believe they have a dangerous job. Foreigners in the workplace cause discomfort and people from waiters in eateries to employees with the U.N. are wary of colleagues and people of middle-eastern origin.
There has been a massive change in how safety measures are implemented now versus per 9/11. Precaution is the byword and employees across industries have undergone security training, safety training, and crisis training. Unfortunately, these steps have not resulted in less fear. Rather, they serve to highlight the dangers that many of us were previously unaware of.
In comparing the top 10 most dangerous occupations in 2003 and 2006, there is only one occupation that is new to the list and that is refuse collectors. Garbage collectors and those who work with recyclable materials are exposed to all kinds of threats – biological, mechanical, chemical, and even physical. There is a real hazard of an explosion in your face from an old battery or getting a nick from a rusted blade and not noticing it until it’s too late. Another concern is being exposed to disease-carrying vermin. Sadly, many avoidable fatalities occur when impatient motorists try to overtake or bypass garbage trucks and in the process hit the garbage-truck driver.
Here are the 10 most dangerous American jobs as of December 2006:
- Timber cutters and loggers
- Fishers and crabbers
- Commercial pilots
- Construction workers/Ironworkers
- Refuse collectors
- Farmers and ranchers
- Roofers
- Electrical power-line installers
- Drivers transporting goods and livestock
- Cab drivers and chauffeurs
Another job that did not make the top 10 list but has significant potential for danger is that of offshore workers. Based on figures for 2006-2007 the main cause of major and fatal injuries were related to slips/trips/falls, being trapped, struck by or striking against equipment or injuries associated with lifts/pulls/pushes or swinging of loads. The majority of the injuries reported were due to fractures or injuries to the upper limb.
Offshore workers are also susceptible to ill health and disease. The most common ones reported are food poisoning, chickenpox, and decompression related effects.
At Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law, we have represented thousands of injured workers many of whom are offshore workers. If you are injured on the job, we’d be happy to talk with you about your legal rights and help make sure that those rights are protected.
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