Most of us face few hazards in our jobs. But for some workers, the risk of serious injury or death is never far from their thoughts. A recent survey found the most dangerous jobs in America include loggers, fishers, and pilots.
These jobs entail high rates of workplace fatalities, according to the 2016 Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS).
Alarmingly, the number of deaths on the job is rising. In all, 5,190 civilian workers lost their lives on the job in 2016. That equates to an average of 3.6 deaths per 100,000 full-time employees, a rise of nearly 6 percent since 2015.
Logging has consistently topped surveys of the most dangerous job in America. Logging takes place in mountainous regions in northern Georgia.
Logging is the most dangerous job in America
A report in Time noted loggers have a fatal accident rate of 135.9 deadly accidents per 100,000 workers. Other professions appearing in the top 10 most deadly jobs are roofers, truck drivers and farmers. Loggers suffered 91 fatal accidents in 2016, a high number given the relatively small number of workers in the trade.
In past years, workplace accidents were not recorded. A report in USA Today noted fatal accidents were first tallied after 1970 when Congress, under President Richard Nixon, passed the Occupational Safety and Health Act. In that year, 14,000 workers died.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, was established under that act to improve safety standards in the workplace. Workplace deaths have more than halved since 1970. Â In 2016 there were 5,200. Some jobs remain considerably more dangerous than others.
While workplace fatalities are rare for teachers and administrators or writers, the death rate remains high in some professions.
The second most dangerous profession after logging is fishing. Aircraft pilots and flight engineers do the third most dangerous job.
Roofers have the fourth most dangerous job. Roofers suffered 101 fatal injuries and 3,150 nonfatal injuries in 2016.
Other professions included in the 10 most dangerous jobs were refuse and recyclable material collectors, iron and steel workers, truck drivers and other commercial drivers, agricultural workers and construction workers.
Every year, workers lose their lives in industrial accidents in Georgia. In many cases, poor work practices or negligence may be to blame for deaths. If you lost a loved one, call our Georgia wrongful death lawyers at (404) 913-1529.