Top 10 Most Dangerous Jobs

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The total number of deaths in the American workplace in 2006 was 5,703.

Many online references still show the workplace fatality statistics published in 2002, five years ago, or in 2006. However, these figures have been updated by the BLS, Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2007 and show significant changes.

One of the most dramatic changes has been within the Fishing Industry, which suffered extremely high occupational death rates in the 1990s. but fell to Number Three on the Top 10 List in 2006. Unfortunately, Fishing rose to the Number One slot again with a whopping 141.7 deaths per 100,000 workers.

The Fishing Industry exeprienced 400 deaths per 100,000 employees in Alaskan fishing and shellfishing (crabs, etc.) jobs in the 1990s. In 2002, fishing deaths overall dropped to 71 per 100,000. In 2006, Fishing dropped to 3rd place overall in the Top 10 Most Dangerous Jobs in America, but with a higher death rate -- 86.4 deaths per 100,000 workers.Fishing fnally reclaimed the Number One spot recently.

A TV show I have watched with awe is Deadliest Catch on the Discovery Network. Real crab fishers in the Bering Sea make a living working many hours a day, often in the dark, without a break for long stretches of time.

New ship hands sometimes cannot take the pressure and the amount of hard work and long hours required.

Clips and Full Episodes of Deadliest Catch are shown online Here.

Deadliest Fans Blog.

Workplace aircraft fatalities increased by alarge margin in 2006, bringing Aircraft Pilots to the Number Two spot in the Most Dangerous Jobs Top 10 list with 82.2 deaths per 100,000 pilots, up from 70 per 100,000 five years earlier in 200, but down form 2006. This number decreased to put Aircaft Pilots in the current Number Three spot.

The Timber Industry (loggers, lumberjacks) held the Number One spot for many years with 92.4 deaths per 100,000 reported in 2006, which was a decrease from 118 in 2002. Current fatalities around 81/100,000 places Timber at Number Two overall.

Structural Iron and Steel Industry workers remain in the Number Four slot, with 47 deaths per 100,000 emplyees reported in 2006, down from 58, five years earlier. However, deaths have risen to 61/100,000 in the Number Four slot on the Top 10 Most Dangerous Jobs list.

Even though the Top 10 Most Dangerous Jobs in America are all high-risk, they are generally high paying jobs as well.

[Reference: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) fatalities records, 2007]

Collectors of refuse and recyclables are Number Five on the Top 10 list, but were not in the Top 10 at all in 2002. With the increasing number of buinesses, dwellings, and vehicles in America, drivers and movers of materials such as waste and discard suffer an increased risk of being struck by a vehicle while working or of having a traffic related accident of their own on the job.

Route Sales workers and Truck Drivers have been combined into a single category since 2002, while Taxi drivers and chauffeurs made up the Number 10 position in the Most Dangerous Job as reported in 2006, but did not make the list in 2002 and did not make the current list. "Miscelaneous Agriculture Jobs" fil the Number 10 position currently and it is difficutl to know what that desingation specifically includes; it may include migrant workers and undocumented workers as well new documented immigrants and general farm laborers and casual employees paid in cash.

As it turns out, almost half of all workplace related injuries happen among drivers or material movers, such as truckers, forklift operators, trash collectors, recyclers, cabbies, movers ("Two Men and a Truck"), and chauffeurs.

An additional occupation that has appeared to suffer increased deaths is the cluster in the Mining Industry. See this link for the story of the Coal Mining Disaster in Ahten County that involved my great uncle aand his work.

Mining and Disaster: The Millfield Coal Mine Disaster

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Many other jobs have danger as well as stressful conditions at times, such wild animal handling in zoos, parks and research around the world.

Wild Animal Handler, Example from Australia Zoo:

Keeper - Crocodiles. Department: Crocodiles; Reports to: Head keeper

Position Description: As a Crocodile keeper, you will undertake a structural training program to gain the knowledge and experience to work with and around crocodilians. This traineeship is competency-based and generally take three to four years to complete. All Keepers have a responsibility for the care and well being of animals under your attendance. They must be understanding and sensitive to the needs of the animals under their care. Keepers are responsible for the animal exhibit's, involved with maintenance and landscaping and presenting at daily demonstrations....Duties within this position:

• Undertake cleaning and maintenance of animal enclosures.
• Assist with the planning, development and construction of animal enclosures.
• Conduct animal health checks.
• Prepare food and conduct feeding of animals in accordance with diet requirements feeding schedules and procedures.
• Maintain records of observations and reports on animal behaviour and breeding.
• Conduct environment and enclosure safety checks.
• Undertake hands on care of animals.
• Undertake animal enrichment programs.
• Conducting water testing.
• Maintaining water treatment equipment.
• Conducting systematic equipment checks.
• Dispensing pool chemicals.
• Provide a high standard of customer service.
• Undertake public speaking and/or delivering demonstrations.
• Work within the guidelines of health and safety procedures to ensure both animal and personal, and visitor security.
• Commitment to Australia Zoo's confidentiality and privacy policies.
• Participate in performance training and development reviews or programs as requested by the company both on and off the job.
• Other duties as requested by the Head Keeper, Curator or Zoo Director.
• Attend meetings as requested by Supervisor.
• Weekend availability and own transport essential.

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Another dangerous job is any that may be included with military duty in conflict zones and war.

US Armed Forces Careers

Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine

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If you are concerned about danger on your job or at your workplace, see the US Federal Government guidelines for avoiding and alerting employers to Imminent Danger in the workplace.