People spend the majority of their waking hours at work, so it's no wonder that workplace safety is such an important focus for every occupation in America. Employees want to go to work and feel safe in knowing they'll be able to return home at the end of the day.
But some jobs have more inherent risks than others, and the unfortunate truth is that accidents happen. Using the most recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, CareerTrends identified the 25 occupations that had the most reported fatalities per 1,000 full-time workers from 2011 to 2013.
It's always wise to exercise care when at the workplace, and taking the necessary precautions is of even greater importance in these occupations.
#25. Sailors and Marine Oilers
Reported fatalities per 1,000 employees: 0.33
Job Description: Sailors stand watch to look for obstructions in path of vessel, measure water depth, turn wheel on bridge, or use emergency equipment as directed by captain, mate or pilot. They also perform a variety of maintenance tasks to preserve the painted surface of the ship and to maintain line and ship equipment.
#24. Taxi Drivers and Chauffeurs
Reported fatalities per 1,000 employees: 0.34
Job Description: Taxi drivers and chauffeurs spend their workdays driving cars, vans or limousines to transport passengers. This puts them at a higher risk for traffic accidents.
#23. Pump Operators
Reported fatalities per 1,000 employees: 0.35
Job Description: Pump operators tend, control or operate power-driven, stationary or portable pumps and manifold systems to transfer gases, oil, other liquids, slurries or powdered materials to and from various vessels and processes.
#22. Landscaping Supervisors
Reported fatalities per 1,000 employees: 0.36
Job Description: Landscaping supervisors maintain grounds of property using hand or power tools or equipment. Mowers and saws present serious injury risk.
#21. Agricultural Equipment Operators
Reported fatalities per 1,000 employees: 0.38
Job Description: Agricultural equipment operators drive and control farm equipment to till soil and to plant, cultivate, and harvest crops.
#20. Explosives Workers
Reported fatalities per 1,000 employees: 0.39
Job Description: Explosives workers place and detonate explosives to demolish structures or to loosen, remove, or displace earth, rock, or other materials.
#19. Gas Derrick Operators
Reported fatalities per 1,000 employees: 0.39
Job Description: Gas derrick operators rig derrick equipment and operate pumps to circulate mud through a drill hole.
#18. Hoist and Winch Operators
Reported fatalities per 1,000 employees: 0.43
Job Description: Operate or tend hoists or winches to lift and pull loads using power-operated cable equipment.
#17. Oil Drill Operators
Reported fatalities per 1,000 employees: 0.43
Job Description: Set up or operate a variety of drills to remove underground oil and gas, or remove core samples for testing during oil and gas exploration.
#16. Truck Drivers
Reported fatalities per 1,000 employees: 0.45
Job Description: Truck drivers operate a tractor-trailer combination or a truck with a capacity of at least 26,000 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW). Truck drivers often drive for long, uninterrupted periods of time, putting them at risk of auto accidents or falling asleep while driving. The job also requires the loading and unloading of heavy materials.
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#15. Barbers
Reported fatalities per 1,000 employees: 0.47
Job Description: Barbers provide barbering services, such as cutting, trimming, shampooing, and styling hair, trimming beards or giving shaves.
#14. Animal Trainers
Reported fatalities per 1,000 employees: 0.53
Job Description: Train animals for riding, harness, security, performance, or obedience, or assisting persons with disabilities. Animal trainers who work primarily with larger animals, like whales or elephants, are at a higher risk.
#13. Paperhangers
Reported fatalities per 1,000 employees: 0.54
Job Description: Paperhangers cover interior walls or ceilings of rooms with decorative wallpaper or fabric, or attach advertising posters on surfaces such as walls and billboards.
#12. Mine Shuttle Car Operators
Reported fatalities per 1,000 employees: 0.57
Job Description: Operate diesel or electric-powered shuttle car in underground mine to transport materials from working face to mine cars or conveyor.
#11. Roofers
Reported fatalities per 1,000 employees: 0.7
Job Description: Roofers work with heavy material at dangerous heights, which makes falling a very serious risk of the job.
#10. Animal Breeders
Reported fatalities per 1,000 employees: 0.96
Job Description: Animal breeders select and breed animals according to their genealogy, characteristics, and offspring.
#9. Athletes
Reported fatalities per 1,000 employees: 1.21
Job Description: Athletes push themselves to their physical limits in the name of competition. While this helps them be more successful in their careers, it can also lead to costly health repercussions.
#8. Door-to-Door Sales Workers
Reported fatalities per 1,000 employees: 1.37
Job Description: Door-to-door sales workers sell goods or services door-to-door or on the street. The uncertain terrain of the job and frequent presence on busy streets are primary risks to safety.
#7. Ranch Workers
Reported fatalities per 1,000 employees: 1.58
Job Description: Ranch workers attend to animals produced for animal products, such as meat, fur, skins, feathers, eggs, milk and honey. Duties include feeding, watering, herding, grazing, castrating, branding, weighing, catching and loading animals. Their constant presence around animals and various heavy machinery presents serious health risks.
#6. Commercial Divers
Reported fatalities per 1,000 employees: 1.85
Job Description: Commercial divers work below surface of water, using scuba gear to inspect, repair, remove or install equipment and structures. They often use a variety of power and hand tools, such as drills, sledgehammers, torches and welding equipment, all of which can cause serious accidents.
#5. Commercial Pilots
Reported fatalities per 1,000 employees: 1.85
Job Description: Pilots navigate the flight of fixed-winged aircrafts or helicopters on nonscheduled air carrier routes.
#4. Tree Trimmers and Pruners
Reported fatalities per 1,000 employees: 1.89
Job Description: Similar to fallers, tree trimmers use heavy, sharp tools to cut away dead or excess branches from trees or shrubs. They also work off the ground in canopies or lifts, which presents the risk of falling.
#3. Fallers
Reported fatalities per 1,000 employees: 9.96
Job Description: A faller's job is to cut down trees, which means they regularly deal with dangerous equipment — such as axes or chainsaws. Falling trees also present obvious safety hazards.
#2. Farmers, Ranchers and Other Agricultural Managers
Reported fatalities per 1,000 employees: 16.49
Job Description: Farmers and ranchers plan, direct, or coordinate the management or operation of farms, ranches, greenhouses, nurseries, timber tracts or other agricultural establishments. The use of heavy machinery is the biggest health risk that the job presents.
#1. Fishers
Reported fatalities per 1,000 employees: 60.36
Job Description: Fishers use nets, fishing rods, traps or other equipment to catch and gather fish or other aquatic animals from rivers, lakes or oceans, for human consumption or other uses.
