While the risk of personal injury is present in any job, some occupations are notorious for having high rates of injury and even death. Read on for a list of some of the most dangerous jobs in America.
Logging
According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), logging jobs consistently rank as one of the most dangerous occupations in the United States. In 2010, 70 deaths were reported among the 95,000 employed loggers. Overall, this fatality rate is over 21 times higher than the overall fatality rate in the United States for the same time period.
Logging activities are prone to personal injury and death for many reasons. The heavy equipment used in the industry includes large saws, mulchers, and falling trees supported by ropes and cables. The need for loggers to climb high into tree canopies provides another source of danger and subsequent personal injury from falls.
Aircraft Pilots and Flight Engineers
People often say that flying is the safest form of transportation, and this is true of the commercial airline industry of which millions of Americans use each year to travel around the globe. The label of dangerous occupation for aircraft pilots and flight engineers stems instead from the operation of privately owned planes and helicopters, which are more prone to crashes that cause personal injury and death.
NIOSH reports that between 1990 and 2015 there were 1,874 commuter and air taxi accidents in the United States. With its unique dependence on air transportation, Alaska accounted for more than one-third of these accidents. Over 80% of towns and villages in Alaska are located away from main road systems. Commuter and air taxi operations in Alaska transport people, cargo, and mail to these villages.
Oil and Gas Derrick Operators
Derricks are those towering structures you see in oil and gas fields. Derricks are used to dig holes for oil wells and similar objectives. They also drill pipes deep into the ground. According to the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), over 450,000 workers were employed in the oil and gas extraction industries in 2011. From 2013 to 2017, 489 oil and gas extraction workers were killed on the job.
Reasons for the high fatality rate among derrick workers are numerous. Oil and gas extraction sites are dangerous locations. One way workers suffer personal injury is by getting struck by, caught in, or caught between pieces of heavy machinery. In addition, explosions and fires occur at a higher rate compared to other occupations, and workers are often in close proximity. Finally, because derrick workers are many stories above ground, slips and falls can prove fatal if safety gear is not properly in place.
When to Consider Litigation
Consulting with a personal injury attorney after an accident on the job is always recommended. These legal professionals can help victims determine if an employer’s negligence caused the accident to occur. Common types of employer negligence include failing to maintain safety equipment, failing to train employees, and failing to address worksite hazards in a timely and responsible manner.
Professional Counsel in Las Vegas
For years, the attorneys at H&P Law have been helping accident victims in Las Vegas and throughout Nevada fight for their rights to compensation after a workplace injury. Contact H&P Law today to discuss your unique case.
