A list of the top ten most dangerous jobs in Britain contains a few surprises – no mention of football referees or traffic wardens anywhere! Here are the top ten, according to the latest Health and Safety Executive (HSE) report.
Health workers
Between 2012 and 2013, around five million health workers, which includes those working in social care, were off work because of work-related injury or sickness. Stress among workers was the main reason why this sector had more days off than any other.
Librarian
Some may consider certain books risky – or risqué – but are librarians doing a dangerous job? According to the HSE report, there were 46 major but non-fatal injuries in the libraries, archives and museums sector last year. One fatality was reported.
Teachers
The fact that teachers make the list may not be too much of a surprise – especially to teachers! This was actually the most injury-prone across all sectors. Last year there were 1,736 reports of major injuries caused by a slip or fall and a further 190 teachers said they had been struck by an object.
Shopkeepers
Shopkeepers, especially those working late nights, are at risk from criminal assaults. Between 2012-13, shopkeepers reported 1619 major injuries and there were just under 7,000 injuries in total.
Estate agents
It may often be described as a ruthless industry because of the pursuit of sales, but working as an estate agent is not widely regarded as a ‘dangerous’ career. That said, 70 estate agents reported major injuries caused by slips or falls while out on the job last year, and there were four fatalities in the same period.
Mechanic
Not only is it a dirty job but being a mechanic can also be dangerous. Presumably working in car sales is not without risk either, because the HSE reported that there were eight deaths in the ‘car handling’ sector last year, as well as 300 major injuries.
Refuse collector
Rubbish collectors do a dirty and dangerous job, according to HSE figures. Some twelve workers died while collecting, treating or disposing of waste last year. The fatality rate for employees in this sector is 7.8 for every 100,000 workers. Being struck by vehicles, slips and trips are the most common cause of injury.
Miner
Mining was always considered a dangerous job, back in the day when there were still plenty of working mines in Britain. There are only three remaining deep pit mines still operating, but it remains hazardous for workers underground. Between 2012-13, there were two fatalities and 150 injuries in this sector.
Construction workers
The building industry saw 39 fatalities on construction sites last year – more deaths than any other sector, and more than the number of British soldiers killed in Afghanistan. In fact, the building industry accounted for 27% of all work-related deaths last year.
Farmers
Top of the lists in terms of danger is the farming, fishing and forestry sector, which accounts for one in every five on-the-job fatalities. Last year there were 29 workers killed, almost half were farmers. Of these, five were killed by animals and five by asphyxiation or drowning.
Source http://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/
