10 of the country’s most dangerous jobs

Workplace safety is among the top priorities for most businesses. Unfortunately, accidents and injuries do still occur – and some occupations bear the brunt of the danger.

Days away from work

So how do the most dangerous jobs stack up? To determine the risk inherent in a job, the Nonfatal Occupational Injuries and Illnesses Requiring Days Away From Work, 2014 study from the Bureau of Labor Statistics looks at the incidence rate – the number of nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses involving days away from work per 10,000 workers. This statistic takes into account the total number of workers in a given occupation, giving a clearer picture of how dangerous that occupation is when compared to other occupations that may include a significantly larger or smaller number of workers.

The report shows that this incidence rate fell to 107.1 cases per 10,000 full-time workers in 2014 from the 2013 rate of 109.4.

Most dangerous occupations

Of course, the most dangerous jobs vastly outpace the national average. Here’s a list of some of the most hazardous occupations:

1.Police and sheriff’s patrol officers

• Total number of workers* – 638,810
• Number of injuries and illnesses – 27,660
• Injury/illness incidence rate – 485.8

2.Firefighters

• Total number of workers – 308,790
• Number of injuries and illnesses – 14,440
• Injury/illness incidence rate – 448.4

3.Highway maintenance workers

• Total number of workers – 140,650
• Number of injuries and illnesses – 5,110
• Injury/illness incidence rate – 433

4.Correctional officers and jailers

• Total number of workers – 434,420
• Number of injuries and illnesses – 16,050
• Injury/illness incidence rate – 423.3

5.Nursing assistants

• Total number of workers – 1,427,740
• Number of injuries and illnesses – 39,020
• Injury/illness incidence rate – 372.5

6.Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers

• Total number of workers – 1,625,290
• Number of injuries and illnesses – 55,710
• Injury/illness incidence rate – 365.5

7.Emergency medical technicians and paramedics

• Total number of workers – 235,760
• Number of injuries and illnesses – 7,010
• Injury/illness incidence rate – 333

8.Construction laborers

• Total number of workers – 852,870
• Number of injuries and illnesses – 22,190
• Injury/illness incidence rate – 309.7

9.Light truck or delivery services drivers

• Total number of workers – 797,010
• Number of injuries and illnesses – 22,420
• Injury/illness incidence rate – 299.9

10. Heating, air conditioning and refrigeration mechanics and installers

• Total number of workers – 261,390
• Number of injuries and illnesses – 6,590
• Injury/illness incidence rate – 284.7

*Employment estimates from the BLS Occupational Employment Statistics for May 2014

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