Every year, workers suffer thousands of deaths on the job. However, there is more to determining the most dangerous industry than the death rate. Workers should also consider the number of nonfatal injuries.
If you are in any of the following jobs, you want to familiarize yourself with the risks and take steps to avoid them. If you are still unable to avoid injury, there may be compensation available to you and your family.
Agricultural industry jobs
Logging workers are at the top of the list for most dangerous jobs. Logging workers provide raw material for goods by harvesting forests. The fatal injury rate is 111 per 100,000 workers, 33 times the nationwide average. The heavy machinery they use to cut trees and logs often causes their injuries.
Oil, gas and mining jobs
Derrick operators in the oil, gas and mining industry get fatal injuries from the dangerous equipment they work with. They set up and maintain the drilling equipment used to mine the earth for minerals. Their fatal injury rate is 46 per 100,000 workers.
Construction jobs
Roofers and construction helpers commonly get injuries from slips and falls. Both jobs require workers to move heavy materials and complete intense projects while high in the air. Roofers have a fatal injury rate of 41 per 100,000 workers, and construction helpers have a fatal injury rate of 18 per 100,000 workers.
Safety first
Being a worker in a dangerous industry is difficult. It is important you get proper safety training and follow safety protocols in the workplace.
Unfortunately, taking the necessary precautions is not always enough to stop you from getting injured. The best thing to do is to know your rights and prioritize getting the compensation and benefits you deserve after an injury occurs.