Dangerous Jobs

Your job may seem boring, but, hey, at least it isn't dangerous. As a whole, work fatalities dropped to 5,488 in 2007 from 5,840 in the previous year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Take a look at the ten deadliest jobs in America, ranked by fatality rate (the number of deaths per 100,000 workers).

Your job may seem boring, but, hey, at least it isn't dangerous. As a whole, work fatalities dropped to 5,488 in 2007 from 5,840 in the previous year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Take a look at the ten deadliest jobs in America, ranked by fatality rate (the number of deaths per 100,000 workers).

10. Police & Sheriff’s Patrol Officers

: 21.4 : 143 Though danger comes with the territory, law enforcement is safer than you might think. Photo: Scott Davidson

Fatality rate: 21.4

Total deaths: 143



Though danger comes with the territory, law enforcement is safer than you might think.

9. Refuse & Recyclable Material Collectors

: 22.8 : 18 Despite more intensive safety measures that have helped to lower the fatality rate since 2006, garbage collectors are still exposed to harmful chemicals and dangerous machinery. Photo: Dan DeLuca

Fatality rate: 22.8

Total deaths: 18



Despite more intensive safety measures that have helped to lower the fatality rate since 2006, garbage collectors are still exposed to harmful chemicals and dangerous machinery.

8. Driver/Sales Workers & Truck Drivers

26.2 : 908 Truck drivers travel long distances for many hours, increasing the likelihood of highway accidents. Photo: Thomas

Fatality rate: 26.2

Total deaths: 908



Truck drivers travel long distances for many hours, increasing the likelihood of highway accidents.

7. Electrical Power-Line Installers & Repairers

: 29.1 : 30 Dangers include falls from tall electrical towers and electrocution from high-voltage power lines. Photo: Carol Cotter

Fatality rate: 29.1

Total deaths: 30



Dangers include falls from tall electrical towers and electrocution from high-voltage power lines.

6. Roofers

: 29.4 : 79 Falls from ladders, scaffolds and roofs are the main cause. Photo: Stefan Jansson

Fatality rate: 29.4

Total deaths: 79



Falls from ladders, scaffolds and roofs are the main cause.

5. Farmers & Ranchers

: 38.4 : 285 Farming may sound tame, but working with heavy machinery and harmful chemicals makes this job risky. Photo: AP

Fatality rate: 38.4

Total deaths: 285



Farming may sound tame, but working with heavy machinery and harmful chemicals makes this job risky.

4. Structural Iron & Steel Workers

: 45.5 : 40 Despite using safety harnesses and scaffolding when working at great heights, steel workers are still at risk to deadly falls. Photo: Greg Younger

Fatality rate: 45.5

Total deaths: 40



Despite using safety harnesses and scaffolding when working at great heights, steel workers are still at risk to deadly falls.

3. Aircraft Pilots & Flight Engineers

: 66.7 : 82 Especially at risk are test pilots who fly new or experimental planes, crop-duster pilots that may be exposed to harmful chemicals and those who operate rescue helicopters. Photo: Axel Buhrmann

Fatality rate: 66.7

Total deaths: 82



Especially at risk are test pilots who fly new or experimental planes, crop-duster pilots that may be exposed to harmful chemicals and those who operate rescue helicopters.

2. Logging Workers

: 86.4 : 76 Responsible for cutting and hauling trees, logging workers can suffer fatal harm from falling branches and heavy machinery. Bad weather is also a contributing factor. Photo: AP

Fatality rate: 86.4

Total deaths: 76



Responsible for cutting and hauling trees, logging workers can suffer fatal harm from falling branches and heavy machinery. Bad weather is also a contributing factor.

1. Fishers & Related Fishing Workers