By Monique Coombs, MTI Contributor
This article compares the injury and fatality rates across various high-risk U.S. occupations from the years 2000-2020, highlighting the dangers faced by workers in commercial fishing, logging, law enforcement, fire rescue, and other physically demanding jobs.
While much has been written about injury and fatality rates in occupations like logging, agriculture, and law enforcement, less attention has been given to comparing these rates across other dangerous U.S. occupations such as commercial fishing, fire rescue, and construction.
These high-risk jobs involve hazardous work environments that lead to higher rates of fatal and non-fatal injuries compared to other professions. By understanding these rates, we can advocate for better safety measures, increase occupational awareness, and emphasize the importance of health and physical fitness in these demanding roles.
From 2000 to 2020, fatality rates in high-risk occupations revealed stark differences across professions like commercial fishing, law enforcement, logging, and others.
Commercial fishing consistently ranks as the most dangerous civilian occupation, with a fatality rate of 115 deaths per 100,000 workers, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Common causes include vessel disasters often caused by heavy weather (47%), falls overboard (30%), and onboard injuries (14%). In comparison, logging also ranks highly with fatality rates between 70 and 100 deaths per 100,000 workers, largely due to incidents involving heavy equipment and falling trees.
Since 2000, commercial fishing fatalities in the U.S. have fluctuated, but the overall trend indicates a gradual decline. Although traditional accidents in commercial fishing may be decreasing, there is a concerning rise in deaths attributed to behavioral health issues such as suicide, drug overdoses, and alcohol use. These trends suggest that while physical safety may be improving, mental health challenges within the industry are growing and need to be addressed. These challenges may likely stem from increasing uncertainty in the commercial fishing industry due to rising costs of doing business, expanding regulations, and offshore development (e.g. offshore wind development), which contribute to heightened stress levels among fishermen.
Other occupations, like farming, oil and gas extraction (i.e. roughnecks), piloting, and construction, vary in fatality rates. Pilots, for instance, face around 65 deaths per 100,000 workers, while oil and gas workers and farmers experience fatality rates of 20 to 35 per 100,000, often due to transportation accidents and equipment failures. The leading cause of death for pilots is accidents related to loss of control in-flight (LOC-I) and controlled flight into terrain (CFIT). Although piloting may not demand the same physical exertion as other high-risk industries, it necessitates a high degree of mental focus and control. Insufficient mental clarity in this field can lead to perilous situations that endanger not only the pilot but also passengers and crew.
The leading causes of death among oil workers include transportation incidents (40.3%), contact with objects or equipment (25.9%), fires and explosions (14.3%), exposure to harmful environments or substances (8.7%), and falls (8.2%).
Common causes of death in the logging industry include falling trees, chainsaw injuries, transportation incidents, and equipment failures. Of note, recent data shows a significant increase in fatal work injury rates, rising from 68.9 fatalities per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers in 2019 to 91.7 in 2020.
Many fatalities in high-risk industries often stem from accidents that result in serious injuries or death. In the construction sector, common injuries include falls, being struck by objects, electrocutions, and being caught in or between equipment—collectively known as the “Focus Four” incidents. These types of accidents account for a substantial portion of construction-related fatalities. In 2021 alone, the industry recorded approximately 169,200 injuries, underscoring the persistent safety challenges workers face.
Similar risks are present in other high-risk industries, such as oil extraction, farming, and commercial fishing. Oil workers frequently encounter injuries related to heavy machinery, including crush injuries from equipment malfunctions and falls from heights, along with significant risks of burns and respiratory issues from exposure to hazardous materials. Farming presents comparable dangers, where injuries arise from operating machinery, lifting heavy loads, and working with animals. Common injuries include strains and sprains, cuts from tools, and falls, often exacerbated by uneven terrain and inclement weather.
Commercial fishing has unique risks due to its environment. Fishermen frequently face slips, trips, and falls on wet, slippery decks, leading to serious injuries or even falls overboard. The physical demands of hauling heavy nets or traps can result in musculoskeletal injuries, particularly in the back and shoulders. Furthermore, the dangers of capsizing vessels, exposure to harsh weather conditions, and the risk of drowning significantly elevate the injury risk for commercial fishermen.
Collectively, these industries highlight the importance of implementing safety measures and training to mitigate the risks associated with their physically intensive work environments. By prioritizing safety, we can better protect the workers who are vital to our economy and communities.
Law enforcement officers, who face violent encounters and high-stress environments, have lower fatality rates but still average 13 to 18 deaths per 100,000 officers. Key causes include gunfire (38%), traffic-related incidents (25%), and health-related issues (sometimes caused by excessive stress) like heart attacks (19%). First responders, such as firefighters and EMTs, face fatality rates of around 13 deaths per 100,000 workers due to exposure to fires, hazardous materials, and transportation incidents.
Firefighters are at risk for various injuries due to the demanding nature of their work. Common injuries include musculoskeletal issues like sprains and back injuries from lifting heavy equipment, as well as burns from flames and heat. They are also susceptible to smoke inhalation, cuts and lacerations from sharp tools and debris, and fractures from falls or being struck by objects. Similarly, EMTs often suffer from sprains and back injuries due to the physical demands of their role. In addition to these injuries, EMTs may encounter infectious diseases through contact with bodily fluids, and psychological stress from exposure to traumatic incidents is another significant concern.
I’d be remiss not to mention that health-related deaths, such as heart attacks and strokes, occur across all these industries. As industries like logging and construction become more mechanized, it may improve safety, but it also means these workers are moving less, spending more time seated while operating equipment, which can increase health risks.
Regardless of mechanization, the rate of obesity and heart disease are increasing in these physically demanding occupations. The nature of their work—often long shifts, high stress, and irregular schedules—can contribute to poor health outcomes. Maintaining physical fitness is crucial not just for personal well-being but for job performance and safety – including the safety of the public in some cases.
While law enforcement and first responders are often recognized as tactical athletes, it’s important to acknowledge that high-risk civilian occupations like commercial fishing, logging, and construction also embody elements of tactical demands. Workers in these fields operate in extreme environments, often making split-second decisions under pressure and facing life-threatening situations, much like tactical professionals.
As industrial athletes, they rely on physical strength, endurance, and mental resilience to manage the grueling demands of their work. However, due to the unique hazards—from unpredictable weather and heavy machinery to remote locations and lack of immediate medical support—these jobs also require tactical awareness and skills. The combination of physical and situational demands positions these workers at the intersection of industrial and tactical athletics.
This connection also underscores the importance of training with the same specificity as tactical athletes, focusing on the skills and fitness demands directly applicable to their environments. For commercial fishermen, this might involve training for functional strength to handle heavy loads on an unstable deck, agility exercises to respond quickly in hazardous conditions, and mental resilience drills to stay calm and focused under pressure. Such targeted preparation can help fishermen better navigate the unpredictable, physically taxing challenges they face at sea, potentially reducing injury rates and enhancing safety and well-being in a high-risk profession.
CONCLUSION
Law enforcement, fire rescue, commercial fishing, logging, and other occupations mentioned above are inherently risky, but the men and women dedicated to serve, protect, or provide food and crucial natural resources for our country remain steadfast in their commitment to their trade. For many, these are not careers but livelihoods that are critical to their identities. This dedication is why it is so critical to recognize their contributions and create opportunities to support their health, safety, and well-being, enabling them to continue their work in these vital industries.
Monique is the Director of Community Programs for the Maine Coast Fisherman’s Association
SOURCES
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Fatal Occupational Injuries Reports, 2000–2020
- https://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2021/fatal-and-nonfatal-falls-slips-and-trips-in-the-construction-industry.htm
- Flight Safety Foundation, 2021 Safety Report
- American Petroleum Institute (API)
- National Agricultural Safety Database (NASD)
- FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program, 2000–2020
- National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) Reports, 2000–2020
- National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Firefighter Fatality Study, 2000–2020
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Commercial Fishing Incident Reports, 2000–2020
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Commercial Fishing
- Safety Research
- Commercial Fishing Incident Database (CFID)