California’s Most Dangerous Jobs

Logging Workers In California, the incidents of logging related accidents and injuries is 40 percent higher than anywhere else in the country. The death rate among loggers is 165.7 in 100,000 workers. A logger is subjected to long hours, extremely strenuous work, and hazardous work conditions in remote locations with limited access to medical services.

Commercial Airline Pilots With a death rate of 46 among 100,00 workers, this occupation is high on the dangerous occupation list. For non-fatal injuries, the responsibility of safety for hundreds of passengers creates stress-related medical issues and health risks such as deep vein thrombosis, dehydration and high rates of skin cancer.

Large Truck Drivers A highly dangerous occupation with a death rate of 42 per 100,000 workers primarily from collisions, truck drivers are also subject to various illnesses and injuries including incidents of overexertion and “bodily reaction,” falls, slips and trips and injurious contact with equipment.

Construction Workers Over 23 construction laborers die per 100,000 workers with 75 percent receiving serious injuries including from rooftop falls, strikes by heavy equipment, electrocutions, exposure to silica dust, asbestos and unguarded equipment.

Construction Forepersons With a high rate of fatalities, 14 in 100,000 workers, construction forepersons die and are injured by falling objects, slips and falls, falls from heights, electrocutions, equipment crushing injuries, and more.

Taxi Drivers Fatalities from crashes, being hit by motorists or homicide account for 16 in 100,000 workers’ deaths. With high incidents of injuries from vehicle collisions and injuries associated with sitting for long periods, it is one of California’s highly dangerous and unhealthy occupations.

Welders With exposure to toxic chemicals and welding fumes such as Benzene leading to fatal lung, larynx, urinary tract, and kidney cancer, this occupation causes a death rate of 16 welders in 100,000 workers. Injuries may include metal “fume fever,” stomach ulcers, kidney and nervous system damage that can significantly impact health. Exposure to welding gases – helium, argon, and carbon dioxide – that displace air oxygen can cause suffocation and serious asphyxiation.

Grounds Maintenance Workers and Tree Trimmers Grounds maintenance workers and tree trimmers have a fatality rate that is more than three times higher than the average U.S. worker, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics with 14 fatalities among 100,000 workers. Non-fatal injuries are commonly caused by tree branches, being caught in wood chippers, contact with cutting tools, ladders, lifting devices, machinery, and heat stress.

Building Painters The death rate among structural painters is 13 in 100,000 workers and include non-fatal injuries such as dermatitis, lung and other organ damage from exposure to lead based paint, asbestos, varnishes and other paint products. Dangerous solvents can damage workers’ lungs, eyes and nose. Incorrect lifting can cause back injuries and use of ladders and work from heights cause falls.

Farmworkers  Heat exhaustion, exposure to pesticides, being struck by equipment, vehicles and objects, use of shears, slitters and slicers, skids and pallets, and contact with branches and vines are the most common causes of farm-worker injuries and fatalities, the latter reported to be 12 among 100,00 workers. Agriculture ranks third among California industries reporting nonfatal injuries and illnesses.

Police Officers Sadly, the total number of police officer fatalities are 1,642 with the highest number of deaths being caused by gunfire and automobile collisions. In total, the death rate of police officers is 11 per 100,000 workers.  Injuries are common from assaults by suspects and non-violent injuries from repetitive movements and habits, extended sitting, chasing suspects, and scaling walls leading to back, joint, and muscle injuries.

Power Line and Telecommunications Line Installers Besides the 10 in 100,000 workers killed by electrocution, electrical burns, contact with “hot” wires, falls, strangulation and mechanical trauma, non-fatal injuries are also caused by these incidents. Because this line of work often requires repetitive motions, less serious but potentially debilitating injuries include damage to muscles, tendons, and ligaments that impair movement and cause pain.