So, you think you’re a job expert? Let’s take a brief quiz:
Which one of these workers is most likely to die on the job?
- A. Security Guard
- B. Fire Fighter
- C. Garbage Collector
If you guessed B: Fire Fighter, keep guessing. Was A: Security Guard your next guess? You’re still wrong. Garbage collectors die on the job four times more often than firefighters and security guards, and most of these fatalities are transportation incidents.
Each day, thousands of workers put their life on the line protecting civilians and operating heavy machinery. While jobs like police officers and construction workers pose obvious threats, there are a few dangerous jobs out there that may surprise you.
7 Unlikely Heroes, Facing Danger Everyday
1. Cashiers
How many times have you seen a viral thread along the lines of Drive-thru customer grows angry when Burger King won’t sell them pizza, or: Local resident calls 911 because they can’t get a McGriddle at 3 a.m.? While these stories may be amusing, the cashier is often in danger, not knowing how what type of behavior to expect from these fired up customers. Cashiers have the highest number of deaths due to violence in the United States, so if you find yourself working at a gas station or your local mall, maybe it’s time to pick up a self-defense class.
2. Fisherman
High seas, long nights, slippery decks…you’re going to need a bigger boat. While the pay is generous, the danger is intense, and deep-sea fishing is not for the weak of heart. It’s best to make a peace treaty with Poseidon before embarking on your next vessel to tame those wild waves and angry fish.
3. Taxi Drivers.
Cab drivers have the highest number of deaths due to violence, even more so than police officers, landlords, and security guards. Not only that, but taxi drivers are most likely to die from homicide than a transportation accident. So why is being a cabbie so dangerous? Think of it as picking up hitchhikers for a living.
4. Garbage Collectors and Sanitation workers
These workers potentially expose themselves to hazardous materials every day, but that’s not the only danger. The main danger lies on the road, with many deaths caused by other automobiles or a worker falling off the disposal truck. And let me ask you this: How often have you zoomed back and forth between lanes because you’re trying to avoid being stuck behind the garbage truck? Guilty or not, remember that they’re not just trucks, but carrier vessels for collectors and these workers can hop off the truck at any given moment.
5. Farmers and Ranchers
Agriculture is the basis of our survival, so I think it’s time we recognize these under-appreciated heroes. Farming and Ranching is near the top of the list for fatalities but also near the bottom for pay. Working long hours with large animals and heavy machinery is risky for anyone, even professionals. After all, how many other jobs pose the potential risk of being run over by a buffalo or losing a limb to a tiller?
6. Courier Carriers
Although this job has a seemingly innocent reputation, courier carriers are often victims of armed robbery and other violent crimes. Why is this, you may ask? Maybe a customer felt they didn’t get enough pepperoni on their pizza, or perhaps that sketchy neighbor thinks the cost of the newspaper is too high—regardless of the circumstances, courier carriers are known to carry cash and often work alone, which makes them an easy target for robbery.
7. Tour Guides
Who wouldn’t enjoy hiking the Rockies or kayaking the Grand Canyon as a profession? While the scenery is a huge perk, hikers and tour guides pose some serious risks. Between jagged rocks, low air pressure, uneven ground, and strangers in the wilderness, these tour guides need to stay on their toes. While these guides may not encounter “Hills Have Eyes” types of strangers, you never know what will happen in the wilderness and who/what you will find.
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