Every day, millions of Americans head to work to keep the country running. But for some, their job carries a hidden cost: a higher risk of injury or death.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there were over 5,486 fatal work injuries in 2022. These numbers underline the importance of workplace safety—and highlight which industries pose the greatest risks.
In this guide, we’ll explore the top 10 most dangerous industries in the U.S., breaking down fatality rates, total deaths, and the key hazards workers face. From construction sites to fishing boats, we’ll show where the dangers lie—and how workers can protect themselves.
👉 Want to calculate your workplace’s risk? Try the free Spacebands Accident Calculator.
There’s no single way to define a “dangerous” job. Instead, safety experts use a combination of metrics:
The most reliable source is the BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI), which combines these figures into annual reports.
Using death rate per 100,000 workers, here are the riskiest industries for U.S. workers:
Hazards: chemical exposure, heavy machinery, vehicle traffic, and infectious waste.
Hazards: violence, fires, toxic smoke, hazardous materials.
Hazards: electrocution, arc flashes, working at heights.
Hazards: falling trees, heavy equipment, remote locations.
Hazards: working at heights, unstable surfaces, harsh weather.
Hazards: crashes, long hours, high responsibility.
Hazards: falls, struck-by objects, electrocution.
Hazards: long driving hours, vehicle accidents, machinery risks.
Hazards: animals, drowning, chemicals, heavy equipment.
Hazards: storms, drowning, dangerous gear. The most fatal industry in America.
Looking at total deaths, large industries with huge workforces dominate:
This shows why both death rate and total deaths matter—smaller industries (like logging) are extremely dangerous per worker, while bigger sectors (like construction) see the highest absolute fatalities.
Even in hazardous workplaces, risks can be reduced. Key safety measures include:
Safety is a shared responsibility—both employers and employees must commit to reducing risks.
The statistics show that transportation, construction, and agriculture account for the most workplace deaths in the U.S., while fishing and logging remain the most dangerous per worker.
No industry is risk-free. But with training, safety culture, PPE, and new technology like Spacebands wearables, organisations can dramatically reduce incidents and protect their workforce.
Additionally, here are some resources for further exploration:
❓ What is the most dangerous industry in the U.S.?
Fishing and hunting top the list, with a death rate of 132.1 per 100,000 workers. Transportation and construction record the most deaths overall due to larger workforce sizes.
❓ How are dangerous industries ranked?
Experts use death rate per 100,000 workers, total fatalities, and non-fatal injury rates to assess industry risks. This gives a fuller picture of workplace dangers.
❓ Why is construction so dangerous?
Construction sites combine multiple hazards—falls, heavy machinery, electrocution, and moving vehicles. The large workforce size also contributes to high fatality numbers.
❓ What industries have high injury rates but fewer deaths?
Healthcare, warehousing, and manufacturing often see high levels of non-fatal injuries like sprains, stress injuries, and chemical exposure, even though fatality rates are lower.
❓ How can employers reduce risks in dangerous industries?
Employers can:
While this blog post has explored the dangers of various industries through text, statistics and infographics can provide a powerful visual impact to truly emphasize the gravity of workplace safety concerns. Check out the spacebands infographic which covers a wide range of health & safety statistics in the UK.
