American employers spend a staggering amount on workers’ compensation costs each year to cover employees who are hurt, injured or otherwise incapacitated while on the job. While workers across virtually all industries assume some level of risk in the workplace, those in specific industries, and those who hold particular job titles within those industries, are far more likely to suffer a serious injury, illness or even death while working. Here is a look at some of today’s most dangerous ways to make a living.
As a logger/forestry professional
According to Time magazine, logging workers face more dangers on the job than American workers in any other occupation. An estimated 78 fatalities occur for every 100,000 people in the profession, with many of these deaths being the result of unsecured trees falling, human error and problems with chainsaws and related logging equipment.
As a fisherman or woman
Though they do not face as high a risk of injury and death as logging professionals, those who fish by trade face an especially high risk of suffering an on-the-job injury or fatality. The very nature of the uncontrolled environment where people in this industry work is partly to blame for the problem, with many injuries and deaths resulting from falling through open hatches, insufficient fishing vessels or employees getting limbs caught in machinery and equipment used in commercial fishing.
As a pilot or flight engineer
Pilots and flight engineers face a considerable risk of suffering injury or death every time they clock in for work. The nature of the job places them at risk for engine and mechanical failures, or for problems and crashes that come as a result of inclement weather. Insufficient training may also be a factor in the number of American pilot and flight engineers injured or killed while at work each year.
As a roofer
Roofing is an inherently dangerous profession, which is why it is critical that those in this industry receive proper training and wear appropriate protective gear to avoid becoming part of the statistic. It is entirely too easy to fall when working on roofs with varying pitches and heights, and these falls frequently lead to broken bones, back injuries, puncture wounds and related injuries, many of which require expensive medical treatment and care.
While most professionals assume some degree of risk while at work, it is the obligation of the employer to protect workers to the fullest extent possible. If you have suffered an on-the-job injury or lost a loved one in a work-related fatality, you may find it useful to speak with an attorney.