National Safety Council profiles top 5 hazardous jobs

The National Safety Council recently released some interesting statistics on the lifetime odds of fatality in various employment arenas. The results were fascinating.

Present estimates reveal that between 4500-6500 workplace fatalities occur annually in the United States. The types of workplace injuries and deaths, however, will always vary on the industry; some jobs pose a much higher risk of injury or death than others.

The National Safety Council recently released a report about the top five most dangerous employment arenas in the U.S. The results were captivating.

The odds of death

In 2010, the National Safety Council, a nonprofit organization that provides research and development in the employment context, revealed some interesting statistics on the lifetime odds of fatality in various situations.

For instance, individuals have a 1 in roughly 12,000 chance of perishing from exposure to radiation or electrical current. The NSC indicates that people also have a 1 in 136,000 chance of dying after being struck by lightning.

The Council also provided information about the odds of death in specific employment contexts. There were five specific jobs profiled.

1. The fishing industry

Fishermen, in particular, have a much higher risk of death than workers in other professions. In fact, the death rate of a fisherman is 36 times that of any other job. According to the BLS, the fatal work rate for a fisherman is 117 per 100,000. Fatalities in the fishing industry are attributed to weather catastrophes and shipwrecks.

2. The aviation industry

Those working in the aviation industry are also more susceptible to dying on the job. According to the BLS, the fatal work rate for an airplane pilot or engineer, for instance, is roughly 53 per 100,000 workers. Aircraft worker deaths are attributed to plane crashes and equipment failure.

3. The construction industry

Construction workers are also among the riskiest occupations. According to the BLS, the fatal work rate for construction workers in the U.S. is roughly 17 per 100,000 workers, but that number is likely underestimated. In 2012, construction employees accounted for 18 percent of all U.S. workplace deaths that year. BLS information reports that construction industry deaths typically occur as a result of slips, falls, roadway hazards, and exposure to dangerous equipment.

4. The agricultural industry

According to the BSC, agricultural workers actually have a higher risk of fatality than construction workers. The BSC estimates that the fatal work rate for farmers and ranchers, for instance, is 21 per 100,000 workers. For agricultural workers, workplace deaths are attributed to falls, equipment failures, and road hazards.

5. The trucking industry

The fatal work rate for truck drivers is a bit higher than agricultural workers-22 per 100,000 workers. These include both 18-wheeler truck drivers and delivery drivers. Although the data fails to identify any specific reasons for such fatalities, deaths are likely attributed to auto accidents. Preventing injuries and deaths in the workplace

The statistics on workplace death risks are interesting; but it's important to note that all employment fields pose a risk of injury or death. Employers should always take the necessary steps to implement specific safety protocols. But even for those that do, workplace accidents, unfortunately, will still happen.

Luckily, workers' compensation benefits are available to employees who suffer an injury or illness on the job. Consulting with a workers' compensation attorney about specific instances and the benefits available to injured parties is recommended.

Keywords: dangerous jobs, workplace fatalities