10 Most Dangerous Jobs

Some jobs put workers at risk of serious injury – and contrary to first impressions, the riskiest jobs are not in the public safety sector.  Though law enforcement officers and firefighters do face danger at work, their occupations are not among the 10 most dangerous, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

FinancesOnline.com published an infographic, republished recently by SanatogoPost.com, of the 10 jobs with the highest rates of fatal workplace injuries in 2012:

1. Loggers – With a fatal injury rate of 127.4 deaths per 100,000 workers, loggers topped the list of the most dangerous jobs in the U.S. Loggers earn $34,600 per year on average.
2. Fishers, fishing workers – With 117 deaths per 100,000 workers, the fishing industry puts workers in danger from sea disturbances, drowning, and heavy equipment injuries. Fishing workers earn an average of $36,900 annually.
3. Pilots, flight engineers – Pilots and flight engineers are paid $128,000 on average per year. The fatality rate for the profession is 53.4 per 100,000 workers. Pilots risk collisions on take-off and landing as well as air disturbances.
4. Roofers – For average annual pay of $38,800 per year, roofers battle heat and height. The fatality rate is 45.5 per 100,000 workers.
5. Structural iron and steel workers – The fatality rate for these workers is 37 per 100,000. Average yearly pay is $50,700. Height, heavy equipment, and welding are among the job hazards.
6. Refuse, recyclable materials collectors – With average wages of $35,200 per year and a fatal accident rate of 27.1 per 100,000, these workers risk collisions and accidents involving dangerous equipment.
7. Electrical power line installers and repairers – The fatality rate is 23 per 100,000 workers, who earn $62,300 on average. Job hazards include electricity and heights.
8. Drivers and sales workers– With average annual earnings of $27, 700, these workers have a fatality rate of 22.1 per 100,000. Hazards include road incidents and fatigue.
9. Farmers, ranchers, agricultural managers – The fatality rate for workers in this category is 21.3 deaths per 100,000 workers. Risks include heavy equipment, large animals, and dangerous machinery. Average annual pay is $73,700.
10. Construction laborers – Construction workers make an average of $34,500 per year and face the job hazards of falls, dangerous equipment, and power tools. The fatality rate is 17.4 per 100,000 workers.