Kate Lorenz, CareerBuilder Editor
While many of us go to our jobs every day without even thinking that we might suffer a paper cut, there are thousands of other workers in peril every time they punch the clock. From inner city violence to acts of nature, professionals put their lives at risk to keep the community safe, keep store shelves stocked with food, keep our utilities running, and build our roads, cars and homes.
In August, the Bureau of Labor Statistics released its annual report identifying the industries and occupations that had the most fatal work injuries. In 2008, there were 5,071 fatal work injuries and a fatality rate of 3.6 per 100,000 workers in the United States -- a drop from 5,657 and 4.0 respectively in 2007. While this decrease is something to be optimistic about, there are other factors to consider.
According to the BLS, economic factors likely played a role in the fatality decrease. Hours worked at the national level fell by one percent in 2008, and some industries that have historically accounted for a significant share of worker fatalities, such as construction, experienced larger declines in employment or hours worked. One might speculate the economy also be factored into the rise of workplace suicides, which were up 28 percent to a series high of 251 cases in 2008.
Are you curious to see if your job is one of the most hazardous? These were the most fatal occupations and industries last year:
Jobs with the highest fatality rates
The following 10 occupations had the highest fatality rates in 2008:
1. Fishers and related fishing workers
Fatality rate*: 128.9
Fatality rate: 115.7
3. Aircraft pilots and flight engineers
Fatality rate: 72.4
4. Structural iron and steel workers
Fatality rate: 46.4
Fatality rate: 39.5
6. Refuse and recyclable material collectors
Fatality rate:: 36.8
7. Roofers
Fatality rate: 34.4
8. Electrical power line installers and repairers
9. Driver/sales workers and truck drivers
Fatality rate: 22.8
10. Taxi drivers and chauffeurs
Fatality rate: 19.3
Jobs with the most fatalities
The following 10 positions saw the most deaths in 2008:
Number of victims: 908
Most common manner of death: 66 were highway-related.
2. Construction trades workers
Number of victims: 720
Most common manner of death: 37 were attributed to falls
Number of victims: 248
Most common manner of death: 14 fall-related fatalities and 12 were struck by objects
Number of victims: 144
Most common manner of death: 38 were highway-related and 33 were homicides
Number of victims: 33
Most common manner of death: 19 highway-related fatalities
6. Grounds maintenance workers
Number of victims: 128
Most common manner of death: 20 deaths each from falls and being struck by an object
Number of victims: 124
Most common manner of death: 52 homicides
8. Vehicle and mobile equipment mechanics, installers, repairers
Number of victims: 110
Most common manner of death: 30 were struck by objects
9. Supervisors, construction and extraction workers
Number of victims: 108
Most common manner of death: 24 fall-related deaths
Number of victims: 102
Most common manner of death: 15 from being struck by an object and 13 from falls
Most dangerous industries
These industries led in the number and rates of fatalities in 2008:
1. Construction
Number of deaths: 969
Fatality rate: 9.6
2. Transportation and warehousing
Number of deaths: 762
Fatality rate: 14.2
3. Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
Number of deaths: 651
Fatality rate: 29.4
4. Government
Number of deaths: 522
Fatality rate: 2.3
Number of deaths: 404
Fatality rate: 2.5
6. Professional and business services
Number of deaths: 389
Fatality rate: 2.7
7. Retail trade
Number of deaths: 290
Fatality rate: 2
Number of deaths: 233
Fatality rate: 2.2
Number of deaths: 175
Fatality rate: 4.2
10. Mining
Number of deaths:: 175
Fatality rate: 18
*Fatality rate is the number of fatalities per 100,000 workers
Next: Confessions of a Truck Driver >>
Sep 11th 2009 @ 2:11PM william devito
what about firefighting?
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Sep 11th 2009 @ 5:35PM Tucson FF
these days, firefighting has become relatively safe as opposed to the old days. With the creation of safer gear and a less interior approach to fighting fires, its much safer these days. I feel its more dangerous driving emergency apparatus on the strees than being on a fire scene. I've seen more firefighters/EMTs/Paramedics injured or killed in car accidents on duty than on fire scenes.
Sep 11th 2009 @ 4:55PM Debbie
i agree with you William...I'm a Paramedic we have to put up with crazy weather, structures, traffic, and carazy people
Sep 11th 2009 @ 5:46PM Kurt
Average 100 firefighters die per year in the US
Sep 11th 2009 @ 6:01PM joan
You did not mention coal mine workers
Sep 11th 2009 @ 6:43PM Chris
Fireighting has become much safer. The very involved training we go thru and the advancement in technology and new gear standards.
Sep 14th 2009 @ 6:39PM Anthony
Thank God, Firefighters have in the last 50 years dropped the numbr of deaths due to their jobs because of the drastic decrease in Volenteer Fire Depts. The quality and type of equiptment has also had a great impact on loss of life. The only problem is Firefighters have one of the highest records for injuries associated with their job. This is not attributed to poor job performance but is related to the most difficult jobs there is.
Sep 11th 2009 @ 7:12PM petcrafts
Firefighters should CERTAINLY be on the list.
Sep 11th 2009 @ 7:45PM derek
What about the MEN and WOMEN of our Armed Services. Wake up people thousands have died in just the past 7 years, what about Vietnam, Korea, WWII, WWI and not to mention the true Patriots that secured and made this land pssible for us to live as a multinational home under one roof, the United States of America. I am medically retired Army Staff Sergeant and a Purple Heart recipiant do to an I.E.D and multiple other medical damage, with saying that I am 100% disabiled. I would love to fish for crab or drive an 18 wheeler on the ice roads and other bs, but when did you serve your country? Movies scared you? The real thing of WAR is more horrifing and continues to haunt not just me but all soldiers. White, African-American, Hispanics, and other walks of life willing to do what needs to be done for freedom. The Iraqies that were bad got what they deserved so I hope they have their virgins and have a seat at the table with Allah. Doubt it. Being a soldier is by far the scariest, terrifing, and most of all deadliest job. To those who have served 9/11 is more than a date to remember but a day that caused Soldiers, Seamen, Mariens, and all that are doing their hardest at keeping this country safe, this day consumed our lives. So fish and build with caution, wear the right gear and trust me you do not have to worry about being blown up multiple times (15) for me. I wish you all safety and spend a little bit more time with your children.
Sep 11th 2009 @ 8:27PM dougy iron
there may be more dangerous jobs then walking steel and being an ironworker,but the history has show that on today, 8 years ago,many more heroes died then there will ever die on a job in this country. remember those that fell.
doug
local 580
Oct 13th 2009 @ 1:19PM Mark
The private industries tops the list. No padded government jobs here (military not included). Get away from your idiot box (TV) and realize who is actually doing the work in this country and are the real heroes.
Sep 11th 2009 @ 4:08PM jdymes101
damn, i thought it would be "THE MILITARY"!
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Sep 11th 2009 @ 2:24PM Jennifer Slater
They said Government jobs. Like what about my husband fighting in Iraq, can't we just says MILITARY SOLDIERS?. or how about those men and women in fighting fires?, getting shot by bullets like police officers. HOOAH GO ARMY.
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Sep 11th 2009 @ 8:19PM LEE
I AGREE FIRRFIGHTERS ARE THE THE MOST DANGER ON LAND ,THEY ARE MY HEROS
Sep 11th 2009 @ 2:28PM kim
What about a truck driver in Iraq or Afganistan for kbr/halliburton or related companys.
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Sep 11th 2009 @ 2:28PM Ember
Thanks for all the freeloading ads and sales pitches. I was looking for statistics not your poorly veiled recruiting crap. Here let me indoctrinate you with my religious, political and child rearing opinions.
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Sep 11th 2009 @ 6:08PM peter
Get a life, Ember. Just ignore the ads and read the content that interests you. The ads serve a purpose. If you're not interested, ignore them.
Sep 11th 2009 @ 5:38PM kevin
u got issues!!!
Sep 11th 2009 @ 2:29PM PK
Fatality rate is low due to training, but working on the flight deck of an Aircraft Carrier. Got to focus on the job at all times and keep your head on a swivel.
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Sep 11th 2009 @ 2:29PM sgentilejr
Women say they want equal pay, but they must also consider that men do many jobs that women simply do not want to do or cannot qualify for such as the dangerous jobs listed above. If more women were iron workers, commercial fishermen, loggers, roofers etc. then the wage disparity gap between men and women would narrow or close. If is far easier and safer to be a secretary, receptionist or other office worker and work in a air conditioned and heated office with a toilet nearby, than it is to work 20 stories in the air in the heat, wind and rain as an iron worker does with minimal toilet facilities, if any at all. Thus there will always be a pay gap in overall earnings of men and women. Not too many ladies want to work on telephone poles restoring electric service in the middle of an ice storm when the temperature is 10 degrees. And that ladies is why a pay gap exists....not because we do not appreciate your skills and talents.
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