Everyone knows that there are dangerous careers out there, but some of the most dangerous jobs are the kind most people would consider rather ordinary.
A new report from Financial Edge says that there are six jobs that are “surprisingly dangerous.” And while some of those, like commercial pilot, might seem to carry a certain amount of danger with it, others, like baker, are truly shocking.
The report cited a Bureau of Labor Statistics study that found there were 65 deaths in food preparation occupations in 2008, many of which were attributed to heat-related emergencies like heat stroke and fainting. Another surprisingly dangerous industry is landscaping, which had 131 fatalities that same year due to sharp equipment like power tools and chain saws, environmental hazards and falling.
Even janitors make a dangerous living, the report said. Because of their exposure to hazards like cleaning chemicals, sharp objects and even mold, janitors are in danger both short-term (accidents) and long-term (lung disorders). The Bureau of Labor Statistics study found that 59 janitors died as a result of their jobs.
Each year thousands of U.S. workers die from injuries on the job. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics‘ National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries shows a preliminary total of 4,383 fatal work injuries in 2012, down slightly from the final count of 4,693 in 2011. The top spot on the list goes to logging workers, who lost their lives at a rate of 127.8 per 100,000 full-time workers. In total, 62 loggers were killed on the job last year.
The second-highest cause of worker fatalities was assaults and violent acts, which accounted for 18% of deaths. Violence caused the death of 767 workers last year; with 463 homicides and 225 suicides.
It is, therefore, important that even people with seemingly innocuous occupations consider purchasing life insurance, according to the financial advice site Investopedia.
To learn what may or may not be classified as a dangerous job, follow these guidelines from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.