New Study Reveals California's Most Hazardous Job Sectors
Agriculture leads as the most dangerous industry, followed by transportation and construction.
- By Robert Yaniz Jr.
- Aug 13, 2024
A recent research study has identified the most perilous job sectors in the state of California, with jobs in agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting topping the list.
According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting sector experiences 14.3 fatalities per 100,000 full-time workers. The report—compiled by Hansford McDaniel Workers' Compensation Attorneys—compares fatal injury rates across industries to highlight the dangers workers commonly face.
“Safety in the workplace is vital, and employees should feel confident that they can carry out their jobs without harm,” Wes McDaniel from Hansford McDaniel Workers' Compensation Attorneys said in a statement. “It is saddening to see the amount of people who have lost their lives due to their occupation, and it is important to remember that these are individuals, not just numbers. This data aims to show which roles need to be approached with care and to encourage employers of these occupations to reevaluate safety standards.”
The study reveals that the transportation and utilities sector ranks as the second most dangerous, with a fatality rate of 7.4 per 100,000 workers. This sector—which includes a workforce of 8.6 million people—encompasses jobs related to passenger and cargo transportation as well as work involving electrical systems, gas and sewage services.
Construction occupations, such as carpenters, electricians, and plumbers, are the third most dangerous, with 5.8 deaths per 100,000 workers. And the study also identified professional and business services as well as wholesale and retail trade as sectors with significant risks, reporting 2.7 and 2.6 fatalities per 100,000 workers, respectively.
About the Author
Robert Yaniz Jr. is the Content Editor of Occupational Health & Safety.