It is no secret that many types of work are dangerous. A recent list reveals the top 10 most hazardous jobs in the country.
Minnesota workers can find their hazardous jobs in that list, and many are in the top five.
About the list
A list of the 10 most dangerous jobs in the country according to a CNBC article based on 2018 statistics from the Bureau of Labor shows that there were 5,250 work-related deaths that year. Transportation accidents were responsible for 40% of those deaths followed by contact with objects or equipment, such as a fatal accident while operating machinery.
In the top spots
Logging workers suffered the most fatal injuries in 2018. Out of 53,600 loggers, there were 74 fatalities. Next was commercial fishing workers where injuries and fatalities mostly involve falls from or incidents aboard boats. Aircraft pilots and flight engineers took third place. Of the 84,070 aircraft workers, there were 70 fatalities, mostly in plane crashes.
Most common hazardous work
Roofers hold the number four spot in the list of most dangerous jobs. Out of 160,600 workers, there were 96 fatalities in 2018 and 2,060 injuries. Slips, trips and falls account for most of the roofing deaths or injuries. The number five spot went to collectors of refuse and recyclable materials caused mostly by transportation-related accidents. Out of 115,130 workers, there were 37 deaths and 1,490 injuries recorded in 2018. Here are the next five most dangerous jobs rounding out the top 10:
- 6: People who drive for a living, including salespeople and truck drivers
- 7: Farmers, ranchers and other agricultural workers
- 8: Structural iron and steelworkers
- 9: First-line construction or extraction supervisors
- 10: First-line landscaping, lawn and groundskeeping supervisors
Help for injuries
Local workers fit into many of the occupations listed. While fatalities certainly happen in the workplace, injuries are far more common. Employers must carry workers’ compensation insurance, and an employee who sustains a work-related injury is eligible to file a claim. Benefits include coverage for medical expenses and lost wages.