In California, there are five sectors where the number of casualties among workers exceeds that of other industries, despite the fact that all types of work carry some potential occupational hazards.
According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there were a total of 5,486 fatal workplace injuries in the United States throughout 2022. Overall, the transportation and material moving industry had the highest number of worker fatalities, followed by the construction industry and mining sector. However, in California, these are not the most dangerous industries; some unexpected work areas within these five high-risk sectors stand out.
California is the largest agricultural state in the U.S. and a major producer of agricultural products, creating over one million employment opportunities. Based on mortality rates, agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting are the most dangerous industries in California. The BLS report states that there are 14.3 deaths per 100,000 workers in the state.
The industry involves activities such as crop cultivation, livestock breeding, and timber harvesting, with the average annual salary for California workers in this field being $43,987, according to “Data USA.”
Transportation accidents are the leading cause of death among farmers and farm workers. Other major causes of fatalities include violence involving others or animals, as well as accidents due to improper equipment use during operations.
The second highest-risk industry in California is the field of transportation and utilities. Workers in this sector are involved in transporting goods, passengers, and handling tasks related to electricity, natural gas, and wastewater treatment.
As of 2022, there are approximately 8.6 million workers in this industry. ZipRecruiter shows that the average annual salary for transportation workers in California is $68,624, and for utility workers, it is $43,937.
Several factors contribute to the high-risk nature of transportation and utilities. Slipping, tripping, and falling are major causes of injuries for many transportation workers; handling heavy or oversized cargo can lead to injuries during loading and unloading processes; utility workers often engage in high-altitude work and operate in adverse weather conditions and at night, facing risks such as burns, electrocution, or falls from heights.
The construction industry is ranked as the third most dangerous industry in California, with a fatality rate of 5.8 per 100,000 workers. This sector includes occupations such as carpenters, electricians, and plumbers, with California construction workers earning an average hourly wage of around $23.
The construction industry is known to be one of the most hazardous industries. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) identifies falls, electrocutions, being struck by objects, and being caught in machinery as fatal hazards.
Surprisingly, the professional and business services sector is the fourth most dangerous industry in California. This field covers occupations such as company management, accountants, architects, engineers, and strategic consultants, with average annual salaries ranging from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The BLS did not specify the fatal injuries that occurred in this industry. However, according to a global professional services company, professional and business services firms are particularly vulnerable to cyberattacks due to their possession of significant client data. These professionals also face increasing pressure, requiring them to constantly explore new methods to address various unforeseen factors.
The fifth highest-risk industry in California is wholesale and retail trade, where workers may interact with customers or work in warehouses. Employees in this industry may need to work long hours, stand for extended periods, and have frequent contact with the public.