The Most Hazardous Jobs of 2018
April 19, 2018
Workplace accidents can happen at any time, especially when you least expect them. However, there are some industries that are known to be more dangerous, and the cause of more fatal injuries than other occupations. For example, the construction industry presents many more workplace hazards on a daily basis than working in an office.
For the most part, the people who pursue work in these fields accept the fact that a certain degree of danger comes with the job. However, some injuries are avoidable if safety protocols are routinely followed, and workers are properly trained.
Statistical Analysis
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) compiled a list of the top ten most dangerous jobs of 2018, based on the fatal work injury rate, which is the number of fatal work injuries per 100,000 workers. Occupations that have a higher percentage of workplace fatalities rank higher on the list.
Before the BLS developed this new way to measure the dangerousness of a job, these rankings were based on the total number of fatalities in a year. This would put truck drivers and material moving occupations at the top of the list. In 2016, 1,388 workers in these two industries alone suffered fatal workplace injuries, based on data collected by the BLS. This is a seven percent increase from 2015, and the highest it has been since 2007. In addition, approximately 25 percent of these work-related fatalities were drivers.
This is clearly not a top 10 list that businesses and employers strive to be on.
The List
The most hazardous jobs of 2018 include the following:
- Grounds Maintenance Workers
– 17.4 per 100,000 fatal work injury rate
– 217 fatalities - Supervisors of Construction Workers
– 18.0 per 100,000 fatal work injury rate
– 134 fatalities - Farmers, Ranchers and Agricultural Managers
– 23.1 per 100,000 fatal work injury rate
– 260 fatalities - Truck Drivers and Other Drivers
– 24.7 per 100,000 fatal work injury rate
– 918 fatalities - Structural Iron and Steel Workers
– 25.1 per 100,000 fatal work injury rate
– 16 fatalities - Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors
– 34.1 per 100,000 fatal work injury rate
– 31 fatalities - Roofers
– 48.6 per 100,000 fatal work injury rate
– 101 fatalities - Aircraft Pilots and Flight Engineers
– 55.5 per 100,000 fatal work injury rate
– 75 fatalities - Fishers and Related Fishing Workers
– 86.0 per 100,000 fatal work injury rate
– 24 fatalities - Logging Workers
– 135.9 per 100,000 fatal work injury rate
– 91 fatalities
All employees, regardless of the industry they are working in, are entitled to a safe work environment. Accidents can happen, but every employer should make sure that all workers are properly trained, that safety protocols are enforced at all times, and that workers feel comfortable coming forward if there has been an injury or safety violation of any kind.
Baltimore Workers’ Compensation Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Advocate for Injured Workers
If you have been injured on the job, do not hesitate to contact the Baltimore Workers’ Compensation lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton. We will fight to secure the full benefits you deserve, including lost wages, medical expenses, and any other costs related to your injury. To schedule a free consultation, call us today at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online.
