Most Dangerous Jobs in the U.S. According to OSHA
Two agencies in the U.S. monitor dangerous jobs and workplace accidents. Both the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) maintain statistics about the most dangerous occupations in the U.S.
OSHA primarily maintains these statistics to help employers lower fatality and injury statistics. Employers in dangerous fields are required to follow OSHA mandates regarding safety procedures. The following jobs are statistically the most dangerous according to OSHA.
Construction
Construction accidents and fatalities are among the greatest priorities of OSHA regulations. OSHA recognizes four types of accidents that most frequently result in fatalities at construction sites and requires employers to educate their employees on these dangers.
The Fatal Four Hazards for construction work are:
- Falls
- Getting caught in or between equipment
- Getting struck by objects or equipment
- Electrocution
OSHA provides handouts, group activities, and various regulations to try to minimize these four dangers. If you work in construction, you should take advantage of these resources to protect yourself from injuries.
Logging
The logging industry contributes some of the most catastrophic injuries in the workplace in the U.S. Loggers regularly work with powerful equipment and large machines that tear apart and chew up wood. Sadly, anything that can easily destroy wood is just as devastating to the human body.
If you work in the logging industry, you need to show respect for workplace safety rules regarding the use of machinery. Failure to respect safety rules is one of the primary causes of accidents in this industry.
Local Delivery Truck Drivers
While truck accidents are relatively uncommon on highways, they are significantly more common on city streets. This is because long-haul truck drivers have different training and work requirements than local drivers.
Long-haul truck drivers spend hundreds of hours training to get a license and must continue to prove their qualifications throughout their career. Delivery truck drivers often drive vehicles that don’t require any additional training. However, these vehicles are still larger than the average car, which means they can cause significantly more damage in an accident.
Furthermore, delivery drivers aren’t under the same constraints that long-haul drivers are under. There are no limitations on the hours they can drive in a day or on when they have to take breaks. This often means that delivery drivers are more likely to be fatigued.
If you have a delivery truck driver job, you should resist any instructions that require you to drive while distracted, tired, or in unsafe conditions.
Refuse Collectors
Refuse collectors also typically drive large vehicles in urban conditions. They also regularly stop the vehicle on public streets and exit the vehicle. This means they face similar threats to delivery drivers. However, they may face a heightened risk of being hit while outside their vehicle.
Refuse collectors spend almost all of each stop standing on or near the road. They must load the truck from the back, which puts them in great danger if a vehicle hits the truck from behind. Also, some refuse collectors ride on the outside of the vehicle while it is in motion.
All of these activities mean that refuse collectors face a significant threat of being involved in an accident where another vehicle strikes them directly. If you collect refuse, you should always wear bright colors and be wary of anyone driving unsafely near your vehicle.
Working in Dangerous Jobs
Millions of people work in dangerous jobs in this country. However, only a tiny fraction of those people suffer serious or fatal injuries. If you work in a dangerous job, you can reduce your chances of being in that fraction by understanding the dangers of your job and doing your best to avoid them.
If you’ve been injured on the job, contact Benton Accident & Injury Lawyers today. We offer a free consultation with a Dallas personal injury attorney.
We proudly serve in Dallas County and its surrounding areas:
Benton Accident & Injury Lawyers
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Phone: (214) 556-8321
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