What are the most dangerous jobs in the UK?

It is expected that job candidates will spend some time researching their potential salaries, working hours, and commute times while seeking a position. However, mortality rates may also be a factor to take into consideration for people employed in certain industries.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published assessments that indicate some professions carry a higher risk of serious injury or illness. We’ve compiled a list of the Top 10 dangerous jobs in the UK using data from the HSE.

#10. Vehicle Maintenance and Repair

Major injuries are also frequently experienced in the “car handling sector,” and about 20% of workplace fatalities in the UK can be caused by automobiles. Workers in this industry are most frequently injured when they are hit by moving objects or vehicles.

It’s important to pay attention to your surroundings whether you’re working in a shop or by the side of the road. Make sure all equipment is secured before climbing around it, and make sure all vehicles have their brakes on.

If you’re driving, let your colleagues know that you’re about to leave and make sure everyone is out of the way before you move. If you’re in a workshop, near moving machinery, or somewhere else where it can hurt, avoid using headphones or listening to music that might impair your hearing.

#9. Joining and Painting

According to data from 2011 to 2016, the majority of the 28 workplace fatalities in the joining and painting industries were brought on by falls, which were also responsible for 240 more workplace fatalities in other industries.

Before climbing, ladders must be solid and steady against walls. Ask a coworker if necessary to hold the ladder steady while you are on it or to assist you in moving it to a secure location. You should make it a habit to check everything you might have to lean or stand on twice.

Identify any potential hazards before climbing any heights. Painters and joiners who are climbing or balancing up high run the risk of being shocked by electrical wires, poor weather, or even animals.

Wearing a hard hat, high-visibility clothing, and other safety equipment may also help those who are walking beneath workers avoid being struck by falling objects or debris by being aware of potential landing zones.

Visit our website if you have suffered a fall from a height or an object injury because you might be eligible for compensation.

#8. Waste Management

14 persons lost their lives while doing work related to trash management from 2016 to 2017. The lowest-paid position on our list is trash disposal technician, who makes an annual average salary of about £17,600.

Muscle strain brought on by heavy lifting and repetitive action is one of the most frequent injuries associated with waste management work. This may result in long-term muscular injury, rendering the worker immobile and in pain in later life. Make sure that you are not overly straining your muscles when lifting to prevent this. Ask a coworker for assistance if you need to lift something that is too heavy for you to lift on your own. You may be eligible to file a claim for compensation if your back was hurt at work as a result of lifting or pulling.

Waste collectors should exercise caution when entering properties while going door to door. Try to get in touch with the property owner if a dog or other animal is acting aggressively to calm down the situation. If you are unable to do this, try leaving a letter stating why you were unable to collect their trash and then leave the property. Never try to quiet the animal on your own.

In the same way, if you encounter antisocial behaviour, try to leave the area or seek assistance from the police.

Find out if you need to wear safety gear when working around rubbish. If it is required for your safety, your company must offer it. You might be able to file a lawsuit against them to obtain compensation if they refuse to give it.

#7. Civil engineering

One of the most dangerous professions in the nation, Civil Engineering was responsible for 14 fatalities between 2011 and 2016. Just a few of the reported causes of death include contact with electricity, being struck by a car, and collapsed excavations.

There are several things that should have been done when working in a dangerous setting. Risk analyses must have been performed to identify the dangers and specify what each worker should do to protect themselves:

• Workers should wear bright visibility clothing and use blockers to section off the road if there is a risk of moving cars so that drivers are aware of their presence.
• Safety helmets should always be worn while excavating, and excavations should be done carefully. Workers should stop digging if there is a chance of a collapse and instead concentrate on reducing the risk.
• Electrical risks can be avoided by cutting the power off fully or isolating it. The risk should be properly stated, and covered with a non-conductive safety item, and employees should wear non-conductive protective gear if this is not possible.

You might be able to file a building site accident claim if you were working on a construction site when you were hurt.

#6. Healthcare

The UK’s highest sickness rate, 4.6%, is in the healthcare industry. The industry is one of the most dangerous to work in in the UK just based on this. Stress and workplace injuries are significant risk factors for healthcare practitioners.

Healthcare practitioners should use safety gear and store dangerous tools in an area where they won’t be disturbed or pushed over when dealing with them.

Patients’ illnesses can spread to workers and then to other patients. It is important to regularly sanitise, keeping work areas and hands clean. The distribution of substances on clothing can be stopped using masks and thoroughly cleaned dungarees.

Overworking can lead to stress, which can harm both you and other people because fatigue makes it possible to pay less attention to your surroundings. If you believe that your injury resulted from stress and exhaustion, you may be able to file a claim for compensation against your employer.

#5. Manufacturing Industry

In warehouses, manufacturing goods like food, rubber, plastic, furniture, and machinery caused 111 fatalities between 2011 and 2016. Operating dangerous equipment or being injured by falling objects results in numerous accidents and fatalities within the industry, with a workplace injury rate of 2.4%.

It is important that you are familiar with the equipment you are using. Make sure it is safe to use and that nobody is near the moving parts. Wear clothes that are tight fitting and will not catch.

Use the proper tools or ask for the help of a coworker when moving big goods. Wear safety clothes as well, such as hard hats and hi-vis jackets, to be seen clearly and prevent becoming accidentally stuck in machinery.

Because maintaining awareness of risks brings us one step closer to safety, your employer needs to have conducted a risk assessment. You may be entitled to compensation if you believe that your employer has neglected to ensure your safety.

#4. Lorry Driving

The second-largest cause of workplace fatalities, after falls from height, is being hit by autos or lorries. A driver error could result in a heavy goods vehicle (HGV), which can weigh up to 44 tonnes, causing significant damage. 38 people died between 2011 and 2016 as a result of lorry driving, although some of these deaths were really brought on by other moving vehicles.

Make sure you are familiar with the set speed restrictions when operating a vehicle. For HGVs, go even slower to prevent any unexpected turns or pauses that your vehicle’s weight might not be able to account for.

It can be difficult to see when operating a big vehicle. You can prevent hurting yourself and others by using hand signals and conducting a thorough assessment of your surroundings before acting. To learn more about how you might file a claim, visit our page on traffic accident claims.

#3. Roofing and Scaffolding 

One of the most hazardous jobs in the nation is scaffolding, where 29% of all industrial fatalities are caused by falling or falling-related injuries.

Both scaffolding and roofing must be secure before work is done because of their unique characteristics, and either one may be harmed if it isn’t. Roofing poses a particular risk since it can be slick and unstable to walk on. One method to assist protect your safety is to surround yourself with coworkers who can support you. Before putting your full weight on any roofing or scaffolding, test it out first, and proceed cautiously.

The scaffold could collapse if one portion of it is not securely fastened. Make sure you and your team examine each screw that has been secured from beginning to end several times. If you discover that the scaffold is unstable, you shouldn’t try to climb it because doing so might seriously hurt both you and anyone on or below it.

#2. Working on Construction sites

Between 2011 and 2016, 196 fatalities in the construction industry were recorded. Although falling objects also pose a substantial risk to builders, falls from height accounted for more than half of all fatalities on construction sites.

Building sites are filled with dangers, and a thorough risk assessment conducted by a senior employee should identify these. Understand the hazards and properly mark them for both you and other people. Before continuing, it is important to address structural weaknesses and identify trip risks.

You and any other workers should always wear protective clothing, such as hard hats and high-visibility clothing.

#1. Working on a Farm

Farms are highly unsafe places to work due to working from heights, heavy machinery, and working with potentially harmful animals. 152 people died as a result of these risks between 2011 and 2016.

Without the proper training or support from someone who does, never attempt to operate dangerous machinery. Warm, well-fitting clothing is ideal to prevent becoming trapped in moving components.

Animals can occasionally be hazardous and unexpected. If you’re a farm worker and are unfamiliar with the animals, don’t try to approach them on your own. In the event that an animal feels threatened by you, attempt to depart the area quietly to avoid provoking further hostility. Never try to calm an animal on your own.

Contact Us Immediately!

You have the right to file a claim for compensation if you were hurt at work in an accident that wasn’t your fault. Call us at 0141 881 8795 or fill out our online contact form, and we’ll get back to you right away.