10 of the most dangerous jobs in America
Associated Press
If the biggest complaints you have about your job or workplace are the ancient computers, uncomfortable room temperature, or annoying coworkers, you've got it pretty good.
In the US, thousands of people are injured or killed at work each year because of the dangerous nature of their jobs.
According to a report from jobs site CareerCast, "some of the most vital careers to upholding and maintaining the very fabric of American society are also among the most dangerous."
Take EMTs and firefighters, for example. "These professions are tailored for the brave, those willing to sacrifice their own health and safety for the well being of others," the CareerCast report says.
Not all jobs to make the top-10 list are so obvious. For instance, veterinarian and farmer also make the cut.
"Animals can be unpredictable and sometimes dangerous," says Kyle Kensing at CareerCast. "Veterinarians working with dogs and cats can face the workplace hazards of bites and scratches, and those who work with livestock and other large animals risk serious injury."
The most dangerous jobs list was compiled by cross-referencing the 200 professions tracked in CareerCast's 2016 "Jobs Rated" report with US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and other trade-organization data. Note these are not necessarily the most fatal jobs.
Here are the 10 most dangerous professions of 2016 from CareerCast's "Jobs Rated" list, in alphabetical order. All job descriptions and salary data comes from the BLS:
Construction laborer
Metropolitan Transportation Authority of the State of New York/flickrAverage annual salary: $36,550
They perform tasks involving physical labor at construction sites, and may operate hand and power tools of all types (air hammers, earth tampers, cement mixers, small mechanical hoists, surveying, and measuring equipment — and a variety of other equipment and instruments). They may also clean and prepare sites, dig trenches, set braces to support the sides of excavations, erect scaffolding, and clean up rubble, debris, and other waste materials.
Correction officer
Forsaken Fotos/flickrAverage annual salary: $45,320
They guard inmates in penal or rehabilitative institutions in accordance with established regulations and procedures. They also guard prisoners in transit between jail, courtroom, prison, or other points.
Emergency medical technician
COD Newsroom/flickrAverage annual salary: $35,430
They assess injuries, administer emergency medical care, and extricate trapped individuals. They also transport injured or sick persons to medical facilities.
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