Maintenance Work Among Top 25 Most Dangerous Jobs

A study by business insurance provider AdvisorSmith found maintenance work is number 21 in the top 25 most dangerous professions.

The study analyzed the rate of fatal occupational injuries in 263 professions in 2019. It found maintenance workers had a fatal injury rate of 13 per 100,000 workers, which is four times higher than the national average job fatality rate of 3.4 per 100,000 workers. The most common cause of workplace death for maintenance workers is contact with objects or equipment.

On-the-job deaths have steadily risen from 4,836 in 2015 to 5,333 deaths in 2019, an increase of 10% over the five-year period. Additionally, many of the most dangerous jobs earn average salaries that are below the May 2020 annual mean wage of US$56,310. The average maintenance workers’ salary in 2019 was $40,850, which was 27% below the national average salary.

Grounds maintenance workers were number 15 on the list, with 18 workplace fatalities per 100,000 workers. Grounds maintenance workers are most likely to die in car crashes to and from job sites or from falls, slips, or trips while working. They earn an average annual salary of $32,220.

Landscaping supervisors were number 24 on the list, with 12 fatalities per 100,000 workers. Like grounds maintenance workers, landscaping supervisors are most likely to die in car crashes. They earn an average annual salary of $51,000.