Most Dangerous Jobs in the U.S. According to OSHA
In 2023, there were 5,283 workers killed on the job in the United States, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Overall, there were 3.5 deaths for every 100,000 full-time equivalent workers, but some jobs have a much higher rate of fatal work injuries.
Below are the ten most dangerous jobs with the highest rate of fatal injuries according to the BLS and information from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
Logging
Logging is consistently ranked as the most hazardous occupation, with a fatal injury rate of 98.9 per 100,000 workers. In 2023, there were 52 loggers fatally injured on the job.
Many accidents are attributed to improper operation of equipment, inadequate training, or poor supervision.
Fishing and Hunting
Workers involved in hunting and fishing had a fatal injury rate of 86.9 per 100,000 workers. This field involves work in hazardous conditions, including adverse weather and using dangerous equipment. Agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting is the most dangerous industry by fatality rate.
Roofers
With a fatal injury rate of 51.8 per 100,000 workers, roofing is particularly dangerous due to the risk of falls from significant heights. In 2023, there were 113 fatal injuries among roofers.
Roofers face a fatal fall rate about ten times higher than all other construction jobs combined.
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors
Workers who collect trash and recycle face one of the most dangerous jobs in the U.S. These workers had a fatal injury rate of 41.4 per 100,000 workers.
Most fatalities in this field involve transportation-related incidents, the most common type of fatal workplace event, accounting for almost 37% of worker deaths in 2023.
Aircraft Pilots and Flight Engineers
This occupation does not include commercial airline pilots, but it does include commercial pilots and flight engineers. These workers usually fly their own equipment and small aircraft for charter flights, aerial photography, rescue missions, or firefighting. This job had a fatal injury rate of 31.3 per 100,000 workers in 2023.
Construction Trade Helpers
Construction trade helpers or laborers are usually responsible for performing unskilled labor to assist skilled tradespeople. These workers are particularly vulnerable to being injured when OSHA standards are violated.
According to OSHA, the most frequent violations involve:
- General fall protection
- Fall protection training
- Scaffolding
- Ladders
- Communication about hazards
- Respiratory protection
- Eye and face protection
- Machine guarding
In 2023, the fatal injury rate for construction trade helpers was 27.4 per 100,000 workers.
Delivery Truck Drivers and Driver/Sales Workers
Car accidents and other motor vehicle accidents are one of the leading causes of accidental death in the U.S. In 2023, truck drivers and other delivery and sales drivers had a fatal injury rate of 26.8 per 100,000 workers. Transportation incidents were the leading cause of workplace fatalities in this occupation and overall.
Grounds Maintenance Workers
It may be surprising to see groundskeepers on this list of the most dangerous jobs, but these workers face many hazards on the job. This occupation may involve landscaping and grounds maintenance work in commercial and residential settings, often in inclement weather. They may work at heights, use dangerous equipment, and apply pesticides and fertilizer.
This occupation includes many specific roles, such as tree trimmers or arborists, landscapers, groundskeepers, and greenskeepers.
According to a 2023 study, grounds maintenance workers consistently have fatal injury rates about five times higher than average for all occupations.
The most common causes of these deaths are:
- Transportation accidents, usually while driving between job sites or on a large site
- Falls from heights
- Slip and fall accidents
- Contact with equipment and objects, such as wood chippers, chainsaws, and falling tree limbs
- Acute exposure to toxic substances and environments
Grounds maintenance workers had a fatal injury rate of 20.5 per 100,000. In 2023, there were 226 fatal injuries among groundskeepers.
Miscellaneous Agricultural Workers
Agricultural workers may be injured or killed in accidents involving:
- Heavy machinery such as combines and tractors with a risk of amputation, entanglement, and crush injuries
- Livestock
- Exposure to herbicides, pesticides, and other dangerous chemicals
- Environmental hazards such as extreme heat which can cause heat stroke
- Falls from heights
- Grain silos, which can risk suffocation
In 2023, there were 146 fatalities among these agricultural workers. There were 20.2 fatal work injuries per 100,000.
Structural Iron and Steel Workers
Iron and steel workers often work at great heights while using heavy, vibrating power tools. They may work in cramped spaces in environments exposed to loud noise, dust, and chemicals.
In 2023, structural steel and iron workers had a fatal injury rate of 19.8 per 100,000.
An Experienced Workplace Accident Lawyer Can Help if You’re Injured on the Job
While some jobs are more dangerous than others, it is important to know what to do if you’re injured while on the job, no matter what your occupation is. If you were injured at work, a skilled workplace accident lawyer can help you explore your legal options, including a workers’ compensation claim.
Contact The York Workers’ Compensation Lawyers At Elrod Pope Accident & Injury Attorneys For Help Today
For more information, please contact our [RELATED PRACTICE AREA] lawyers in South Carolina and North Carolina at Elrod Pope Accident & Injury Attorneys to schedule a free consultation today.
We proudly serve York County, Lancaster County, and its surrounding areas in South Carolina:
Elrod Pope Accident & Injury Attorneys York
6 N Congress St, York, SC 29745
(803) 902-7399
Open 24hrs
Elrod Pope Accident & Injury Attorneys Rock Hill
212 E Black St, Rock Hill, SC 29730
(803) 324-7574
Open 24hrs
Elrod Pope Accident & Injury Attorneys Lancaster
204 A S Main St, Lancaster, SC 29720
(803) 902-7065
Open 24hrs
Elrod Pope Accident & Injury Attorneys Fort Mill
1201 Carolina Pl Suite 102D, Fort Mill, SC 29708
(803) 902-4045
Open 24hrs
Elrod Pope Accident & Injury Attorneys Lake Wylie
264 Latitude Ln #102A, Lake Wylie, SC 29710
(803) 902-3608
Open 24hrs
We also proudly serve Mecklenburg County and its surrounding areas in North Carolina:
Elrod Pope Accident & Injury Attorneys Charlotte
1100 S Mint St #109, Charlotte, NC 28203
(980) 340-8620
Open 24hrs
