Unlucky 7: For some workers, danger’s just part of the job

Think your job is scary? Think again. Unless you’re working in one of the U.S. Department of Labor’s top seven most dangerous professions, there’s a pretty good chance your getting more treats than tricks during the workday.

Here’s a look at the seven most dangerous jobs in the United States:

1. Fishers and related fishing workers: 99.8 deaths per 100,000 fulltime employees Fishers can work long, strenuous hours, especially those who work on commercial fishing boats. They often work in difficult weather conditions and use equipment that poses a high risk for injury and are often far away from medical help if injuries occur.

2. Logging workers: 84.3 deaths per 100,000 full-time employees Like fishers, loggers often work in poor weather conditions and perform physically demanding job duties. They are at high risk for on-the-job injuries due to falling trees and branches. Also, like those in the fishing industry, they often work in isolated areas and can be numerous miles from the nearest medical facility should an accident occur.

3. Aircraft pilots and flight engineers: 48.6 deaths per 100,000 full-time employees Jet lag, which affects alertness, and repeated exposure to loud noise are risks for pilots, as well as weather-related difficulties. Pilots who operate crop dusters are consistently exposed to toxic chemicals, which can create numerous health hazards.

4. Roofers: 45.2 deaths per 100,000 full-time employees Roofers work through many different weather conditions, risking heat stroke in the summer. The job takes place several feet or stories above the ground and involves work with tools, various adhesive compounds and strenuous climbing and bending.

5. Refuse and recyclable material collectors: 35 deaths per 100,000 fulltime employees The job is highly demanding physically, takes place in extreme weather conditions and involves extensive repetitive motion when moving heavy objects and machinery.

6. Structural iron and steel workers: 33.4 deaths per 100,000 fulltime employees Similar to roofers, iron workers are subject to various outdoor elements and perform physically demanding tasks that leave them at risk for injury.

7. Driver/sales workers and truck drivers: 26.8 deaths per 100,000 fulltime employees Delivery truck drivers and driver/sales workers have a physically demanding job. Driving a truck for long periods can be tiring. Also, loading and unloading cargo requires a lot of lifting, carrying and walking. The longer the drive, the higher the injury risk for these workers.