the most dangerous jobs

THE MOST DANGEROUS JOBSLizza Fernanda Villota Fuertes

LOGGING WORKERS

LOGGING WORKERS

Considered one of the most deadly occupations in the United States by many measures:

Tools and equipment. They deal with massive weights, the momentum of

falling, rolling and sliding trees and logs. They work in harsh environmental conditions and

inclement weather.

Median Pay: $33,630 per year ($16.17 per hour). Fatality rate: 128 per 100,000 workers. Trend: Getting more dangerous - increased by 19%

DEEP-SEA FISHERS AND FISHING WORKERS

DEEP-SEA FISHERS AND FISHING WORKERS

Working in the only profession where you can be swallowed whole, fishing workers encounter a number of threats daily:

Stormy weather and aquatic beasts. Vessel disasters, transportation incidents and

malfunctioning gear. Falling overboard.

Median Pay: $33,430 per year ($16.07 per hour). Fatality rate: 128 per 100,000 workers. Trend: Getting safer - decreased by 8%

PILOTS AND FLIGHT ENGINEERS

PILOTS AND FLIGHT ENGINEERS

Pilots fly all sorts of aircraft, from prop planes to helicopters, while performing a variety of tasks, including firefighting and search and rescue. They face:

Airplane crashes related to operator fatigue. Exposure to the sun while flying.

Median pay: $118,070 airline, $92,060 commercial.

Fatality rate: 56 per 100,000 workers. Trend: Getting safer - decreased by 5%

HAZARDOUS MATERIAL WORKERS

HAZARDOUS MATERIAL WORKERS

Sometimes called “extraction workers,” these professionals get called in to clear contaminated areas or remove toxic waste.

Median Pay: $37,590 per year ($18.07 per hour).

Fatality rate: 47 deaths per 100,000 workers. Trend: Getting safer - decreased by 39%

HIGH-RISE WINDOW CLEANERS

HIGH-RISE WINDOW CLEANERS

High-rise window cleaners have to work in very dangerous conditions due to:

Possible wind gusts and strong wind drafts. Heights. An intoxicated worker, a faked certification, a

single oversight, fatigue or an unusual weather event.

Median pay: $39,570 per year - $17,840 per year.

MINERS

MINERS

Workers are exposed to harsh working conditions and are susceptible to cave-ins and respiratory diseases. This job requires long hours working outdoors, sometimes in remote locations for long periods of time.

Median pay: $54.020 per year. Fatality rate: 22.1 per 100.000 workers. Trend: Getting safer – 73-35 fatalities.

COAST GUARDS SEARCH AND RESCUE

COAST GUARDS SEARCH AND RESCUE

Coast Guards hold one of the noblest and most virtuous jobs around as it involves saving people’s lives. Coast Guards are exposed to:

Natural disasters, sea rescues, night rescues. Drug runners, ships fire, helicopter crashes. Instances where the saviors themselves need

rescuing. Median pay: $2,877 - $6,881 a month, $50 to

$750 extra. (Rank, years of sea duty and the type of vessel he serves on).

FIREFIGHTERS

FIREFIGHTERS

While this is a very noble job, it is also considered to be one of the most dangerous ones. Besides the fire, other occupational hazards can come:

Smoke inhalation, falling debris, and separation from team members.

Injuries: overexertion, contact with objects and equipment, and falls, slips and trips.

Median pay: $45,250 per year ($21.75 per hour).

Fatality rate: 31 deaths and 14,700 injuries a year.

MERCHANT MARINERS

MERCHANT MARINERS

Just like commercial fishermen, these seafaring workers are at sea for months before they are able to see land or a port again.

Because of the strenuous environment, they also have to battle with depression and other psychological issues.

Median pay: $20,000 - $110,000 per year. Fatality rate: 23 deaths and 5 injuries per

100,000 workers.

EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN

EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN

Workers in emergency medical services have similar, if not higher, rates of serious injury and mortality than police officers and firefighters.

Injuries: muscular sprains, strains and back injuries,

Fatalities: Traffic accidents and aircraft crashes, violent crime. 

Median pay: $31,020 per year ($14.91 per hour).

PAROLE/CORRECTIONS OFFICERS

PAROLE/CORRECTIONS OFFICERS

Parole officers and correctional treatment specialists deal with potentially dangerous criminal offenders on a day-to-day basis and may be assigned to risky areas or institutions.

Median pay: of $48,190 per year ($23.17 per hour).

QUESTIONS

What is the difference between airline and commercial pilots?

What jobs are considered noble? Which ones are the seafaring jobs?