Accidents and injuries that occur within the workplace are horribly unfortunate aspects of working life. Still, they are often few and far between when everyone has had the proper training, and the location has been risk assessed. However, these hazards are much more common in certain industries and can cause a long list of injuries and even fatalities if processes are not followed.
Today we’re exploring this by taking a look at a ranking of the top 10 most dangerous jobs. Many of these professions require lengthy training; even then, accidents can occur due to the environment or machinery used.
10. Agricultural and Farming Work
Farming and agricultural work goes far beyond herding sheep and milking cows. Heavy machinery is required to complete many farming jobs, which is when accidents most commonly occur. Tractor crashes are one of the most common agricultural risks, but the list of machinery that could become dangerous if misused is vast. In addition, working with animals poses various hazards. Farmers could contract disease and illness from infected livestock, and there is always the risk of being bitten or harmed by feral animals.
9. Firefighters
An extensive list of dangers comes with working as a firefighter. These are often ordered into two categories, physical and disease. For example, physical injuries could be burns, wounds from trips and falls, heat stroke, or accidents involving the heavy machinery used on the job. Firefighters could suffer from diseases due to the dangerous environments they’re exposed to, including respiratory conditions, lung cancer, and cardiovascular disease. Firefighters must have years of training, far beyond the fire marshal training required for all workplaces.
8. Delivery Drivers
This may be an unexpected occupation on the list of the most dangerous jobs, but delivery drivers are in danger every day when driving. According to road safety charity Brake, there is an accident on UK roads every 16 minutes that kills or seriously injures a person. Of course, the longer the time spent on the road, the more likely you will be involved in a road accident.
7. Iron Workers
Iron and steel workers are exposed to a long list of injuries due to the heavy machinery they operate and their workplace environment, which often involves working at height. The proper training for jobs in this industry is crucial. We offer a wide range of working at height courses, including the PASMA Working at Height Essentials Training Course, which covers the fundamental guidelines and practices for working in such conditions.
6. Garbage Removers
Similarly to delivery drivers, garage removers and refuse and recycling collectors are in danger daily due to the time spent on the roads. Additionally, workers are expected to be on duty no matter the weather, and road accidents are much more likely during rain or snow. In addition, the trucks used on the job use dangerous and heavy machinery, which requires thorough training before someone is allowed to use it. Finally, garbage workers are exposed to unknown hazards inside the rubbish they collect. Although illegal, they could find syringes, toxic waste, and other dangerous items hidden inside bins.
5. Roofers
Working at height is one of the most dangerous occupations, as many risks come as part of the job. If you are a roofer or work within the industry, having the proper training is a legal requirement and could save your life. Here at Boss Training, we offer an extensive range of courses to assist roofing professionals, including our IPAF Safety Harness Training Course. This course provides an in-depth exploration of how to use this equipment safely so you can protect yourself and others while on the job.
4. Oil, Gas, and Mining
There is a reason these jobs come with an exceptionally high salary; mining careers are considered some of the most dangerous in the world. The list of dangers is practically endless, although rare workers could face explosions, cave-ins, electrocution, falls, and more. Not only this, but heavy machinery is abundant, and it’s likely that as a worker in these environments, there won’t be a day when using this equipment isn’t necessary.
3. Pilots and Flight Engineers
Commercial flights are the safest they have ever been, so for those with a fear of flying, do not panic. Pilots and flight engineers are so high up on this list because of private and small aircraft flights. Smaller planes and helicopters are much more dangerous because they aren’t as easy to control, especially in turbulent weather.
2. Fishing
There are several reasons fishing is placed at number two on our list of the most dangerous jobs, one of which is the severely hazardous conditions workers are expected to fish in. We’re not talking about the fisherman at your local park. Commercial fishers are placed in potentially fatal conditions where they could drown or sustain deadly injuries from heavy machinery. It takes incredible strength and bravery to join this field of work and years’ worth of training to do it safely.
1. Logging
Logging is considered the number one most dangerous job in the world, although there are often debates on whether fishing is more deserving of the title. Not only does logging require work at height, the use of incredibly dangerous heavy machinery, and work in hazardous weather conditions, you are on your own a lot of the time. Although there are people on the ground, lumberjacks often have to be in the trees alone due to the weight requirements, which means if there is an issue at height, it is your responsibility to rectify it for your own safety.
Why Training is Essential, No Matter the Job
While many of us will never need to worry about getting the proper training for any of the occupations listed above, all work requires training to some degree. Boss Training offers an extensive range of training courses online and in-person, no matter which field you work in. Enquire today to find out how we can help you.