Dangerous Jobs
Your job may seem boring, but, hey, at least it isn't dangerous. As a whole, work fatalities dropped to 5,488 in 2007 from 5,840 in the previous year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Take a look at the ten deadliest jobs in America, ranked by fatality rate (the number of deaths per 100,000 workers).
10. Police & Sheriff’s Patrol Officers
Fatality rate: 21.4
Total deaths: 143
Though danger comes with the territory, law enforcement is safer than you might think.
9. Refuse & Recyclable Material Collectors
Fatality rate: 22.8
Total deaths: 18
Despite more intensive safety measures that have helped to lower the fatality rate since 2006, garbage collectors are still exposed to harmful chemicals and dangerous machinery.
8. Driver/Sales Workers & Truck Drivers
Fatality rate: 26.2
Total deaths: 908
Truck drivers travel long distances for many hours, increasing the likelihood of highway accidents.
7. Electrical Power-Line Installers & Repairers
Fatality rate: 29.1
Total deaths: 30
Dangers include falls from tall electrical towers and electrocution from high-voltage power lines.
6. Roofers
Fatality rate: 29.4
Total deaths: 79
Falls from ladders, scaffolds and roofs are the main cause.
5. Farmers & Ranchers
Fatality rate: 38.4
Total deaths: 285
Farming may sound tame, but working with heavy machinery and harmful chemicals makes this job risky.
4. Structural Iron & Steel Workers
Fatality rate: 45.5
Total deaths: 40
Despite using safety harnesses and scaffolding when working at great heights, steel workers are still at risk to deadly falls.
3. Aircraft Pilots & Flight Engineers
Fatality rate: 66.7
Total deaths: 82
Especially at risk are test pilots who fly new or experimental planes, crop-duster pilots that may be exposed to harmful chemicals and those who operate rescue helicopters.
2. Logging Workers
Fatality rate: 86.4
Total deaths: 76
Responsible for cutting and hauling trees, logging workers can suffer fatal harm from falling branches and heavy machinery. Bad weather is also a contributing factor.
1. Fishers & Related Fishing Workers
Fatality rate: 111.8
Total deaths: 38
This group is at risk of getting entangled in nets and other gear or getting swept over board. Another problem: Injured workers are far from medical attention.
»Replay Slideshow
»Best Jobs in America
»Worst Jobs in America
»Special Report: Your Job, Your Life