- Workers' Compensation
While injuries can occur on any job, there are jobs that are inherently more dangerous and your chances for injury are much higher as well. Compared to other parts of the country, Florida has some unique job opportunities which are among the top 10 most dangerous jobs.
For the year 2018, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports 5.250 fatalities on the job which is the equivalent of 3.5 percent per 100,000 employees. Among those, the most dangerous job category includes farming, fishing, and forestry, in which 262 people were fatally injured in 2018, at a percentage rate of 22.8 deaths per 100,000 workers in the industry.
Let’s begin with the 10 most dangerous jobs in the United States and then explore how Florida’s most dangerous jobs stack up.
If you have lost a loved one as the result of an on-the-job fatality or have been injured in an on-the-job incident, call our professional and experienced workers’ compensation lawyers at WorkInjuryRights.Com™.
Top 10 Most Dangerous Jobs in the United States (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
According to the Bureau of Labor of Statistics, these are the most dangerous job in America.
1. Loggers
Among those in the logging industry, 97 fatal injuries and 1,040 non-fatal injuries occur per 100,000 full-time workers. In this industry, workers harvest trees which are then crafted into construction and consumer products. The risks they face comes from falling objects during the process or accidents with equipment.
2. Fishing
In fishing and its related industries, 30 fatal injuries occurred in 2018. For professional fishers, the weather, boat accidents, and falls from vessels are often the cause of accidents, both fatal and non-fatal.
3. Pilots and Flight Engineers
In this industry for 2018, fatal injuries totaled 70 with non-fatal injuries at 490. Transportation incidents, including airplane crashes, are often the cause, with most accidents among private aircraft.
4. Roofing
Among roofers, there were 96 deaths reported in 2018 with 2,060 non-fatal injuries. Falls, slips, and trips while installing or repairing roofs. Because their work takes place on top of buildings or homes, any slip, trip, or fall becomes even more hazardous.
5. Refuse/Recyclable Collectors
In this industry, transportation accidents are the chief cause of what accounted for 37 fatalities and 1,490 on the job injuries in 2018. Because these individuals work from a truck, in all kinds of weather conditions, the chances of injury are higher.
6. Truck Drivers
In the trucking industry as well as other driving occupations, in 2018 fatalities numbered 966 with more than 78,520 non-fatal injuries occurred often as a result of transportation accidents. They are among those at the highest risk for these transportation-related types of on the job injuries.
7. Farmers and Ranchers
In 2018, the farming industry recorded 257 fatal injuries with 280 other on-the-job injuries. Given the nature of their work, outdoors, often in challenging weather conditions or traveling from farm to farm, transportation and equipment-related injuries are common causes.
8. Steel and Iron Workers
In this industry, for 2018, 15 fatal accidents and 800 non-fatal were reported – many from slip, trip, and fall incidents. In most cases, the nature of the work includes the installation of structural steel or iron elements in buildings often from great heights.
9. Construction
In construction-related fields, fatal injuries numbered 144 in 2018. The number of non-fatal injuries on the job was 5,390. Transportation incidents are most common followed by a high number of slip, trip, and fall incidents.
10. Landscaping and Lawn Services
In 2018, the industry totals were 142 fatal injuries with 1,990 non-fatal injuries. The most common causes are transportation accidents going from project to project and equipment-related injuries.
The Top 10 Most Dangerous Jobs in South Florida
For the same period, the most dangerous jobs in Florida include:
- Construction
- Transportation – Truck and Delivery Drivers
- Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance
- Installation and Repair
- Protective Services (Police, Fire, EMT)
- Sales
- Farming, Fishing, and Forestry
- Production
- Roofers
- Electricians
Most fatalities on the job are caused by transportation incidents, followed by slip, trip, and fall incidents. If you have lost a loved one as the result of an on-the-job fatality or have been injured in an on-the-job incident, you need to speak with a professional and experienced workers’ compensation lawyer, like our attorneys at WorkInjuryRights.Com™.
An experienced lawyer will protect your rights and ensure you get the compensation you deserve. Our work injury lawyers have offices throughout Florida and are ready to assist you.
