What Are The Most Dangerous Jobs in America?

For some North Carolina workers, a bad day on the job means missing a deadline or getting yelled at by the boss. For others, it could mean becoming seriously injured or worse. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, on-the-job deaths have increased by 9% between 2014 and 2019. So that begs the question- what are the most dangerous jobs in America?

What Are The Most Dangerous Jobs In America?

Given the nature of their work, some jobs are more dangerous than others. Let's review the top three most dangerous jobs in America, and then we will discuss other lesser-thought-of industries that pose dangers to workers.

1. Logging

Fatalality Rate:  111 per 100,000 workers
Total deaths (2018): 56
Salary: $41,230
Most common fatal accidents: Contact with objects and equipment

Logging, one of the most dangerous jobs in America, is 33 times more dangerous than any other. They routinely come into contact with heavy equipment and logs, making them more likely to become injured. The timber industry is vital to the American economy, and everyone depends on the products that come from timber to function in the modern world. But behind this industry is a group of some of the bravest men and women in our workforce.

Although the timber business provides many benefits to North Carolina, it has its dangers. If you Google, "what are the most dangerous jobs in America," you will see logging pop up between spots 1 and 2 every year. Logging always lists the top 10 most dangerous jobs in America. Anytime you cut down giant trees that could crush even the tallest and strongest workers, there is a risk of something going seriously wrong. But logging truck accidents are another dangerous industry that is sometimes overlooked.

2. Aircraft Pilots or Engineers

Fatalality Rate: 53 per 100,000 workers
Total deaths (2018): 70
Salary: $121,430
Most common fatal accidents: Transportation incidents

Pilots fly all kinds of aircraft, like small planes, helicopters, commercial planes, fighter jets, and more. These private pilot accidents are why piloting is one of the most dangerous jobs in America.

3. Derrick Operators in Oil, Gas, and Mining

BLS Category: Derrick, rotary drill, and service unit operators, oil, gas, and mining
Fatal injury rate: 46 per 100,000 workers
Total deaths (2018): 20
Salary: $51,390
Most common fatal accidents: Transportation incidents, contact with objects and equipment

Derrick operators set up and maintain oil rigs and oil equipment. This job can be physically draining and challenging and also one of the most dangerous jobs in America.

4. Healthcare Hazards

Healthcare involves providing health services to individuals. Care occurs in many environments, such as:

• hospitals
• clinics
• dentists' offices
• out-patient surgery centers
• nursing homes
• birthing centers
• and more

Healthcare workers face dangers not typically found in other occupations, such as

• bloodborne pathogens
• biological hazards
• chemical and drug exposures
• waste anesthetic
• gas exposures
• respiratory hazards
• ergonomic injuries from repetitive tasks and lifting
• lasers
• workplace violence
• harm from radioactive material, x-rays, and laboratories

Nursing Injury Stats and Facts

Healthcare and social assistance have more injured workers than other occupations. These workers had one of the highest rates of work-related injuries and occupational illnesses than any other sector in the private industry in 2017. That year, healthcare and social assistance had 582,800 injuries and illnesses, which is 153,900 more than the second-highest sector, manufacturing.

Nursing assistants were among the occupations with the highest rates of musculoskeletal disorders in 2017. Nursing assistants had an incident rate of musculoskeletal disorders of 166.3 per 10,00 workers. By comparison, the average rate for all workers that year was 30.5.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, most injuries to registered nurses occur in a hospital setting. Female nurses sustain 91.2% of the total injuries and illnesses, and over half of the injured RNs have worked for their employers for over five years.

Nurses older than 45 experience a higher percentage of injuries, and tend to be more severe. More than 25% of work injuries occur in the back, with a median recovery time of seven days.

5. Construction Jobs

The Occupational Safety Hazards Association has coined the term "fatal four" to describe the industries' top construction site hazards. These fatal four groups just might be why construction is one of the most dangerous job in America. These include:

1. falling from heights or into uncovered holes
2. being caught in between two objects or in machinery
3. being struck by a falling object or
4. getting electrocuted.

These significant hazards should receive proper attention and training to minimize the risk of construction deaths and injuries.

Falls

Falls are one of the top four causes of construction worker fatalities. Construction workers often have to work on scaffolding, on ladders, or near holes. Employers should provide workers with personal fall arrest equipment. Adequate perimeter protections should be installed. Floor openings should be covered and labeled. Finally, employers should ensure ladders and scaffolds are used safely.

Being Struck By an Object

An object striking another top cause of construction worker fatalities. Employers should ensure workers are never placed between moving and fixed objects. Workers should also be given high-visibility clothing if they work near equipment and vehicles.

Being Caught-in/in Between a Trench or Excavation

A third top cause of construction worker fatalities is caught in/between a trench or excavation. Employers should ensure trenches and excavations have adequate protective systems, especially if they are five or more feet deep. In addition, trenches and excavations should be sloped, shored, benched, or equipped with a shield system.

Electrocutions

Finally, electrocutions are the fourth top cause of construction worker fatalities. Employers should ensure all utilities and power lines are located and identified before beginning work, especially when working at heights. Employers should make sure workers are placed a safe distance away from power lines and only use electric tools that are grounded or double-insulated. Ground-fault circuit interrupters should be used to prevent electrocutions.

How To Stay Safe as a Construction Worker

Training is critical when teaching employees how to stay safe at the construction site. Some of these safety measures include the following:

• Always wear protective head equipment
• Use stabilization equipment when working on scaffolding or high beams
• Cover, secure and label floor openings
• Avoid positioning between two machines or heavy objects
• Make sure trenches are secured adequately before entering
• Identify utilities before working and maintain a safe distance from power lines

Untrained workers may not know what safety equipment to use or precautions to take before working on a dangerous site. Employers may not have the proper safety devices to keep their workers safe.

Working in manufacturing puts you at risk of severe injuries if you are unaware of proper safety standards. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration helps to ensure you stay safe by setting specific guidelines for training and education.

According to OSHA, your employer must provide you with training and education about all potential safety hazards within your workplace. This includes teaching you the necessary skills to use properly and safely operate the equipment.

Training Requirements for Construction Workers

OSHA requires that your employer provide you with a program that includes specific things. It must have a section explaining what the training will cover and why it is essential. It also must include a section that lets everyone know their roles and responsibilities. Then, you need to receive training and education specific to your role and position.

For example, if you operate a particular machine, you would receive training on how to do that safely. If you rotate positions, you will need training on all the various machines or equipment you will use. The program also needs to include training about identifying and handling hazards. Your employer should have a simple plan that makes it easy for you to report any issues. Construction often one of the most dangerous jobs in America, which makes training essential to worker safety.

Construction Workers' Rights in North Carolina

Construction workers in North Carolina have dangerous jobs, and workers can die when employers do not provide adequate safety protections. When this happens, the worker’s survivors may want to learn more about their legal options, including the possibility of pursuing workers’ compensation death benefits or even a lawsuit if appropriate. Our firm’s webpage on construction site injuries may be helpful to those who want to learn more about this topic.

It seems like everywhere you look nowadays, there are construction projects in the works. Since construction is one of the most dangerous jobs in America, it's important to know your rights as a construction worker. Most people don’t even consider whether those construction sites are safe, but those who work in construction know the dangers. Heavy machinery, proximity to moving traffic, and job performance at great heights can put workers’ safety in danger. One recent incident highlights just how dangerous this job can be.

Four Were Injured in a Construction Accident

In that recent accident, one person was killed, and four others were seriously injured when a retaining wall collapsed while they were working on it in a commercial parking lot. While it’s unclear how the wall fell, OSHA is investigating the incident, which could take weeks to complete. This accident is another reason why construction is one of the most dangerous jobs in America.

While the emotional tragedy of an incident like this can be utterly devastating, there are also genuine physical and financial ramifications. Injured workers often need extensive medical care that they might not be able to afford without the income provided by their job, which they can’t work because of their injuries. Families of workers killed in workplace accidents can also face financial uncertainty.

Commonalities Between The Most Dangerous Jobs in America

We can learn a lot by comparing the most dangerous jobs in America. The highest fatality rates tend to be in places with regular contact with heavy machinery, driving for long periods, or working from dangerous heights. Some jobs combine these factors and the risk factor for workers increases. For example, electricians work with dangerous equipment at a great height, from which falling can be deadly. Similarly, construction workers operate heavy machinery, lift heavy objects, and work at heights.

Regardless of the workplace's danger, an employer must create a safe working environment. Where risks cannot be eliminated, employees should be trained to protect themselves and given proper safety equipment. Employers are also obligated to provide workers' compensation to injured employees that covers their wages and medical expenses, among other costs.

Pursuing a Workers’ Compensation Claim

A workers’ compensation in NC claim might answer your financial woes, allowing you or your loved one to obtain needed medical care and financial stability until work can resume. Successfully pursuing one of these claims isn’t always easy, though, so it might be wise to work closely with a legal professional. Knowing how to pursue a workers comp claim in NC is crucial if you work in one of the most dangerous jobs in America. Hopefully, then you can secure stability and focus on the road ahead.