Some jobs are more dangerous than others. Anyone working as a stunt man or woman knows their risk of death is much higher than someone flipping burgers in a fast food restaurant, which is why they get paid a lot more. But it’s not always that obvious which jobs are dangerous, as you’ll discover when you read the list below.
Construction
Construction is the most dangerous place to work in the UK. The fatal injury rate is 1.63 per 100k workers, which is twice as much as other sectors, including manufacturing. Workers are at risk from a range of hazards, including falls and impact injuries. Some of the risks are associated with working at height, working in poor weather conditions, and insufficient training. PPE equipment can help prevent injuries, but only if it is provided and workers are trained on how to use it correctly.
Manufacturing
It should come as no great surprise that the manufacturing sector is somewhat dangerous. Between 2021 and 2022, 565k people were injured while working in manufacturing. Many more suffered an illness they believed was related to their job. Much of the risk comes from working with heavy machinery, where metal is heated to a high temperature and moulded into different shapes. Any machine is dangerous if training is not provided, or the machine is not used as intended. Often, this is why accidents happen.
Agriculture
Rural life is often viewed as an idyllic experience. No pollution, just the farmer and his animals, at one with nature. However, this is a rose-tinted view of life on a farm. In reality, farming is one of the most dangerous jobs in the UK, with 25 deaths in 2022. Injuries caused by heavy equipment are common. People die from suffocation after falling into slurry tanks or grain siloes. And then we have cows, which can be unpredictable, vicious beasts at times. Still, it beats sitting behind a desk all day.
Commercial Driving
Lorry and van drivers spend a lot of time behind the wheel, navigating the UK’s road network. It is a dangerous occupation and long-distance lorry drivers often develop serious health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and sleep apnoea, which are related to an inactive lifestyle. Many drivers work long shifts, and although their hours behind the wheel are restricted, they can still suffer from fatigue. This leads to drivers falling asleep at the wheel and a higher risk of being involved in an accident.
Emergency Services
Working for the police and fire service is high risk at times, especially for firemen and women called to the scene of a major incident. Any emergency responder, including paramedics, is at risk of being trapped by falling debris, fire, exposure to hazardous chemicals, and worse. Then there is the stress of the job, which is a hazard too.
Finally, we have office work. This one might come as a surprise. After all, nobody ever died of a paper cut, right? However, there are hazards to working in an office. These include slips, trips, and falls, as well as stress and eye strain.
Remember, stay safe at work!