Any job can prove dangerous, but some rise above others in terms of accidents and deaths. According to Business Insider, the top five deadliest jobs in the United States are:
5. Aircraft Pilots and Flights
The risk of a crash is a constant source of danger for pilots and other people who work on aircraft, but this is only one hazard inherent in the occupation. Sitting in a cramped position for hours at a time puts pilots at risk of developing dangerous blood clots. Flying at high altitudes increases the risk of skin cancer.
4. Construction Workers
Construction site hazards take many forms, from falling objects striking workers to accidents involving cranes and other heavy equipment. Fires and explosions also cause many job injuries. Hazards such as exposure to toxic chemicals can cause severe occupational diseases over time. Construction laborers are often required to work in high areas, which creates a potentially fatal hazard in the event of a fall.
3. Roofers
Working from heights is a daily hazard facing roofers. Another job risk in this profession is exposure to the elements. There is typically little or no shade at all on a roof, and long times spent working in direct sunlight can result in heatstroke and other serious health problems.
2. Logging Workers
The timber industry has long been among the most dangerous in the United States. Some of the major risks facing workers in this profession include:
Getting hit by falling trees
Limbs getting caught in shifting piles of logs
Injuries involving choker wires
While one-time accidents account for many logging accidents, the daily toll of strenuous labor provides an added source of danger. Injuries to the back and neck can put a logger out of work for a long period of time. Working with chainsaws and other power equipment can also result in debilitating vibration-related injuries.
1. Fishing and Hunting
The deadliest occupation in America by far is fishing and hunting. The rate of fatal injuries in this occupation during the study period was 132.1 per 100,000 workers per year. Fishing brings workers far from land on often unsteady waters having to contend with shifting equipment and tilting decks. Hunting involves the use of firearms, traps, and other potentially dangerous equipment. Both occupations can prove extremely strenuous and expose workers to dangerous and unpredictable elements.
Anyone who is injured on the job has legal rights. If you have suffered an on-the-job injury, pursuing a workers’ compensation claim can help you obtain the financial relief you need to make it through this difficult time. Don't hesitate to reach out to Shay + Associates Law Firm if you require the expertise of a skilled personal injury lawyer in Springfield or Decatur, Illinois.