When it comes to employment in the Buckeye State, not all jobs carry equal risk. Some occupations in Ohio expose workers to significant hazards that can result in injuries, illnesses, or even fatalities. Understanding which professions are most dangerous can help you make informed career decisions or take extra precautions if you work in one of these fields.
Ohio saw a decrease in workplace deaths in 2022, bucking the national trend of increasing occupational fatalities across the country. Despite this positive shift, certain industries continue to pose substantial threats to worker safety. From healthcare settings where 20.5% of all private sector injury reports originate to courier services with their 6.6% injury and illness rate, various sectors present unique challenges to worker wellbeing.
1. Construction Laborer
Construction laborers face significant risks in their daily work environments. They literally work in a naturally dangerous workplace considering multiple risk factors, including hazardous surroundings, the physical nature of the job, and the use of heavy equipment and dangerous tools.
When you work as a construction laborer in Ohio, you encounter various hazards that can lead to serious injuries or even fatalities. Falls from heights, being struck by objects, electrocution, and caught-in/between accidents represent the “Fatal Four” causes of construction deaths nationwide.
The physical demands of the job add another layer of risk to your daily tasks. Heavy lifting, repetitive motions, and exposure to extreme weather conditions can result in both immediate injuries and long-term health issues.
Equipment-related accidents are also common in this field. Operating or working around heavy machinery such as cranes, bulldozers, and forklifts requires constant vigilance and proper training to avoid potentially devastating accidents.
Despite safety regulations and protective measures, construction remains one of the most dangerous industries in Ohio. Wearing appropriate personal protective equipment and following safety protocols are essential steps you should take to minimize risks while working in this field.
2. Truck Driver
Truck driving stands as one of the most dangerous occupations in Ohio and across the country. The profession makes up approximately 20% of all vehicle-related fatalities nationwide. When you work as a trucker, you face numerous hazards daily that many other workers don’t encounter.
Ohio employs nearly 90,000 heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers, making it one of the top states for this occupation. As a truck driver in Ohio, you can expect to earn an average of $26 per hour according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The dangers of trucking extend beyond just operating a large vehicle. You must contend with long shifts that lead to fatigue, challenging weather conditions, and the responsibility of controlling a massive vehicle weighing several tons.
Trucking-related incidents account for a significant portion of workplace fatalities in the state. In a single year, Ohio recorded 24 fatalities in the transportation and material moving sector, representing 14% of all workplace deaths in the state.
The risks increase when you drive during nighttime hours or in poor visibility conditions. Your safety is also impacted by compensation structures that might incentivize longer hours or faster deliveries, prompting researchers to examine the relationship between pay models and accident rates.
3. Manufacturing Worker
Manufacturing jobs in Ohio present significant hazards despite providing stable employment opportunities. According to recent data, the manufacturing industry has an injury rate of 3.5 per 100 workers, which is higher than the overall state average of 2.4 per 100 workers.
When you work in manufacturing, you face daily risks from heavy machinery, repetitive motions, and exposure to potentially harmful materials. Assembly line positions may lead to repetitive stress injuries, while machine operators risk more severe accidents.
Some manufacturing niches within Ohio have considerably higher incidence rates than others. The nature of these specialized manufacturing environments can intensify the risks you face on the job.
The constant pressure to meet production quotas can sometimes lead to safety shortcuts. You might find yourself working long shifts with minimal breaks, increasing fatigue and the likelihood of accidents.
Proper training and adherence to safety protocols are essential if you work in this field. Many manufacturing companies in Ohio have implemented enhanced safety measures to protect their workforce, though dangers remain inherent to the profession.
Remember that you have rights to a safe workplace environment. Employers are required to provide appropriate safety equipment and training to minimize your risk of injury in manufacturing settings.
4. Firefighter
Firefighting ranks as one of the most dangerous jobs not just in Ohio, but across the entire United States. When you choose this profession, you’re accepting significant risks as an inherent part of your daily responsibilities.
Ohio firefighters face numerous hazards including extreme temperatures, collapsing structures, and toxic smoke inhalation. These dangers can lead to serious injuries that might restrict your ability to work or require job transfers.
In Greenville, Ohio, for instance, a fire captain injured his shoulder while extinguishing a blaze, highlighting the physical risks involved. Injuries like these are common in the profession.
To become a firefighter in Ohio, you typically need to be at least 18 years old and possess a valid driver’s license. Many fire departments also require EMT certification and ongoing education to maintain your credentials.
The danger level remains consistently high for both career and volunteer firefighters. Despite improvements in safety equipment and protocols, firefighting continues to be one of the most hazardous occupations you can pursue in Ohio.
When you consider that approximately 20% of workplace incidents in high-risk jobs lead to job restrictions or transfers, the impact on firefighters’ long-term career trajectories becomes apparent. Your commitment to public safety comes with significant personal risk.
5. Healthcare Professional
Healthcare professionals face significant workplace hazards in Ohio. According to recent data, healthcare and social assistance jobs have an injury rate of 5.4 per 100 workers, which is more than double the average for all industries in the state.
The risks are particularly high in nursing homes and residential care facilities, where the injury rate jumps to 12.4 per 100 workers. State-run nursing facilities face even greater dangers with an alarming 19.7 injuries per 100 workers.
In fact, healthcare employees suffered 157 reported injuries per 10,000 full-time Ohio workers, making them the most injured group in the private sector. This sector accounted for 20.5% of all injury reports in private businesses during 2014.
Ambulance services rank high on the danger list with 10.5 injuries per 100,000 workers. This places them as the third most dangerous healthcare environment according to industry rankings.
As a healthcare worker in Ohio, you face physical risks from patient handling, exposure to infectious diseases, workplace violence, and repetitive motion injuries. Many of these injuries occur in hospitals, residential living homes, and ambulatory care settings.
Working night shifts and long hours can compound these risks, leading to fatigue that increases your chance of injury. Proper training in patient handling techniques and workplace safety protocols is essential for your protection.
6. Courier and Messenger
Courier and messenger workers in Ohio face significant workplace dangers as they navigate busy roads and highways while adhering to tight delivery schedules. According to federal data, the courier and messenger industry has an injury and illness rate of 6.6%, making it the fourth most dangerous industry in the state.
The nature of courier work requires extensive travel, which inherently increases exposure to traffic accidents and collision risks. You’re constantly on the move as a courier, often driving in varying weather conditions that can make roads treacherous, especially during Ohio’s harsh winters.
Time pressures can also contribute to the hazards you face in this profession. Delivery deadlines may tempt you to rush, potentially leading to accidents or injuries while driving or during the loading and unloading process.
Physical demands present another risk factor in courier work. You frequently lift and carry packages of varying weights, which can lead to strains, sprains, and repetitive motion injuries if proper lifting techniques aren’t followed.
The job also exposes you to slip and fall hazards when navigating unfamiliar delivery locations, apartment buildings, or businesses. Weather conditions like rain, ice, and snow significantly increase these risks for couriers throughout Ohio.
Dog bites and other animal encounters represent an often overlooked danger for couriers who must approach private residences. These unexpected interactions can result in serious injuries requiring medical attention and time away from work.
7. Roofing Contractor
Roofing contractors face significant dangers in their daily work environment. The primary hazard is falling from heights, which can lead to severe injuries or fatalities. In Ohio, roofing has consistently ranked among the most dangerous occupations due to these fall risks.
Recent evidence of these dangers comes from Millersburg, Ohio, where a roofing contractor was fined $548,000 by OSHA for repeatedly exposing workers to deadly fall hazards. Inspectors observed workers exposed to falls from heights up to 19 feet at multiple residential job sites.
What makes this situation particularly concerning is that the violations occurred despite fall protection equipment being available on site. This pattern of safety violations happened four times in less than three months at various locations including Canton, Uniontown, and Westlake.
Weather conditions in Ohio create additional challenges for roofers. You face extreme temperatures, ice, snow, and rain that make surfaces slippery and increase accident risks.
Working with heavy materials and tools can lead to strains, sprains, and other musculoskeletal injuries. You must also contend with potential electrical hazards from power lines near roofs.
If you work in roofing, proper training and strict adherence to safety protocols are essential. Using appropriate fall protection equipment consistently could prevent many of the serious injuries and fatalities in this profession.
8. Electrician
Electricians in Ohio face numerous hazards daily as they work with complex electrical systems. They stand alongside other high-risk professions like firefighters, loggers, and construction workers on the frontline of dangerous jobs. The risks are significant and require constant vigilance.
Electrical work often involves exposure to potentially lethal voltage levels that can cause severe injuries or death. Even experienced electricians must maintain strict safety protocols to prevent accidents. Your risk as an electrician increases when working in confined spaces or challenging weather conditions.
Falls represent one of the most common hazards for electricians, who frequently work at heights. You may find yourself on ladders, scaffolding, or elevated platforms while installing or repairing electrical systems. This heightened position significantly increases injury risk.
Working with electrical wires and welding equipment creates substantial fire hazards. These elements can ignite surrounding materials if proper precautions aren’t followed. Burns from electrical fires or direct contact with live circuits are serious occupational hazards.
Electrical burns are particularly concerning due to their severity and potential for long-term damage. Unlike thermal burns, electrical burns can cause internal damage that isn’t immediately apparent. Your body can sustain serious internal injuries even when external signs seem minimal.
Electricians must also contend with exposure to toxic materials in many work environments. You might encounter asbestos in older buildings or other harmful chemicals depending on your work location. Long-term exposure to these substances can lead to chronic health conditions.
Power line installers and repairers face especially high risks, with a fatality rate of 24.2 per 100,000 workers. Working with high-voltage transmission lines presents unique dangers that require specialized training and equipment to manage safely.
9. Logging Worker
Logging consistently ranks as one of the most dangerous professions in Ohio and nationwide. If you work in this field, you face numerous hazards daily while harvesting trees that provide raw materials for countless consumer and industrial products.
The physical demands of logging cannot be overstated. You spend all your time outdoors, often in remote areas and challenging weather conditions, operating heavy machinery and power tools like chainsaws.
Falling trees represent one of the greatest dangers in logging. A miscalculation about a tree’s fall path can lead to fatal accidents, which contributes to logging having one of the highest fatal work injury rates among all occupations.
The industry has been working to improve safety standards. Over the past 20 years, there have been investigations into more than 25 logging fatalities as part of efforts to make the profession safer.
If you work in logging in Ohio, you’re part of the broader agriculture, forestry, and fishing sector that faces numerous occupational hazards. Long hours, exposure to the elements, and the constant use of dangerous equipment all contribute to the high risk profile.
Most logging workers maintain full-time schedules, with many working more than 40 hours weekly. The isolation of work sites can also delay emergency response when accidents occur, further increasing the potential severity of injuries.
10. Police Officer
Police officers have one of the more dangerous jobs in Ohio, despite not ranking at the very top of hazardous occupations. Their daily duties involve responding to emergencies, conducting traffic stops, and patrolling high-crime areas, all of which expose them to potential dangers.
When working as a police officer in Ohio, you face various risks that come with the job. These include confrontations with potentially armed individuals, high-speed pursuits, and exposure to traumatic events that can affect your mental health.
Interestingly, police work ranks 22nd among America’s most dangerous jobs, which might surprise many who perceive it as more hazardous. This relatively lower ranking is partly because there are strong deterrents against attacking law enforcement officers.
The nature of policing means you must always be vigilant. Even routine traffic stops can quickly escalate into dangerous situations, requiring you to make split-second decisions that could impact your safety.
In Ohio specifically, law enforcement faces significant challenges. The job requires extensive training, though the police academy training period typically lasts only 19 to 22 weeks, which some argue is insufficient for the dangers faced.
Your protective equipment, tactical training, and departmental protocols are designed to minimize risks. However, the unpredictable nature of criminal encounters means that danger remains an inherent part of your daily work environment.
The job also carries psychological dangers. You’ll regularly witness traumatic scenes and deal with high-stress situations that can lead to burnout and other mental health challenges over time.
11. Mining Worker
Mining work ranks among the most dangerous jobs in Ohio due to significant occupational hazards. Workers in this field face risks including cave-ins, explosions, exposure to harmful gases, and machinery accidents on a daily basis.
The mining industry requires workers to operate in confined underground spaces where air quality is a constant concern. You may encounter toxic gases like methane or carbon monoxide that can lead to serious health complications or prove fatal without proper detection equipment.
Heavy machinery operation presents another significant hazard in mining work. Equipment like drills, conveyor systems, and hauling vehicles can cause severe injuries if not operated with strict adherence to safety protocols.
Mining engineers develop essential safety strategies for resource extraction, and their expertise helps mitigate some risks. These professionals typically earn around $101,626 annually due to their specialized skills and the hazardous nature of their work.
Long-term health effects are a serious concern for mining workers. You may face respiratory issues from prolonged exposure to dust and particulates, hearing damage from loud equipment, and musculoskeletal problems from repetitive physical labor.
Ohio’s mining industry has implemented improved safety measures in recent years, but the inherent dangers of extracting resources from beneath the earth remain significant. Proper training and adherence to safety regulations are essential if you work in this high-risk profession.
12. Agricultural Worker
Agricultural workers face numerous hazards that make their occupation particularly dangerous in Ohio. From operating heavy machinery to handling toxic pesticides, the risks are significant and varied.
Working with farm equipment such as tractors, harvesters, and processing machinery creates opportunities for severe injuries. These powerful machines can cause crushing injuries, amputations, or entanglements if not operated with proper caution.
Exposure to harmful pesticides and chemicals is another major risk for agricultural workers. Even with safety protocols in place, repeated exposure can lead to both acute poisoning and long-term health effects.
Weather-related hazards pose additional threats. You face risks of heat stroke during summer months and hypothermia during cold Ohio winters when working long hours outdoors.
The physical demands of agricultural work can lead to musculoskeletal injuries. Repetitive motions, heavy lifting, and awkward postures contribute to chronic pain and disability among farm workers.
Grain bins and silos present deadly engulfment hazards. Workers can become trapped and suffocated within minutes if proper safety procedures aren’t followed when entering these confined spaces.
Forestry and logging, which fall under the agricultural category, are particularly dangerous. You risk injuries from falling trees, equipment accidents, and challenging terrain.
Statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show that agricultural workers held about 782,400 jobs in 2023. The injury rates in this sector remain consistently higher than average across most industries.
Rural locations often mean you’re far from immediate medical care when accidents happen. This distance can worsen outcomes for injured agricultural workers who may experience delays in receiving emergency treatment.
13. Waste Collection Worker
Waste collection is consistently ranked among the most hazardous occupations in Ohio. As a waste collector, you face five to seven times more injuries than the average worker, with approximately 52.7 injuries per 100 workers annually.
The dangers stem from multiple sources that you must navigate daily. Your work vehicle poses significant risks, as does the unpredictable nature of the waste itself, which may contain hazardous items like lithium-ion batteries, syringes, glass, and chemicals.
Environmental factors further complicate your job. Bad weather conditions reduce visibility and create slippery surfaces, increasing accident risks. Distractions are another serious concern, with both pedestrians and other drivers often failing to notice waste collection activities.
Vehicle accidents represent one of the most common causes of injury in this profession. When working alongside traffic, you’re constantly vulnerable to inattentive drivers who may not slow down in collection areas.
If you work in waste collection in Ohio, you should familiarize yourself with workers’ compensation benefits. These protections are especially important given that solid waste collection continues to appear on lists of the ten most dangerous jobs.
14. Ironworker
Ironworkers perform some of the most physically demanding and hazardous work in construction. They install structural and reinforcing iron and steel to form and support buildings, bridges, and roads. Their work often takes place at great heights, significantly increasing the risk of fatal falls.
The danger of this profession cannot be overstated. According to labor statistics, ironworkers face numerous common injuries including cuts, sprains, and overexertion. Falls from elevated positions can be deadly, making proper safety equipment essential.
As an ironworker in Ohio, you’ll need to wear comprehensive safety gear including harnesses, hard hats, boots, gloves, and safety glasses. These precautions are mandatory, not optional, given the extreme danger present at construction sites.
Weather conditions add another layer of risk to this profession. You’ll often work outdoors in various conditions, sometimes on wet or icy surfaces that further increase the chance of accidents.
Most ironworkers work full-time schedules and may experience periods of unemployment between projects. The physically demanding nature of the work combined with its inherent dangers makes this one of Ohio’s most hazardous occupations.
15. Painter and Decorator
Painters and decorators face numerous hazards in their daily work that aren’t immediately obvious to most people. You encounter risks from both chemical exposures and physical dangers that can lead to both immediate injuries and long-term health problems.
Working with paints, solvents, and other chemicals exposes you to potentially harmful substances that can affect your respiratory system. Many traditional paints contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which can cause headaches, dizziness, and respiratory irritation when inhaled regularly.
Falls represent one of the biggest physical dangers in this profession. You frequently work on ladders, scaffolding, and elevated platforms, which significantly increases your risk of falling injuries.
Repetitive motions like reaching, bending, and maintaining awkward positions can lead to musculoskeletal disorders over time. These chronic conditions may not be immediately apparent but can cause lasting damage to your body.
Many painters will prioritize productivity over safety at times, which increases risk factors. Proper safety equipment including respirators, eye protection, and fall prevention systems are essential but sometimes overlooked.
Long-term exposure to certain chemicals found in paints and solvents has been linked to more serious health conditions including neurological damage and certain cancers. This makes proper ventilation and protective equipment crucial for your long-term health.
Experienced painters in Ohio can earn competitive wages, but the physical toll on your body should be carefully considered when evaluating this career path. With proper safety precautions, many risks can be significantly reduced.
16. Machinery Operator
Working as a machinery operator in Ohio comes with significant risks due to the nature of the job. You are responsible for controlling various types of heavy equipment, which can lead to serious accidents if proper safety protocols aren’t followed.
Machinery operators face dangers from maneuvering heavy equipment such as forklifts and jacks, which inherently involves a serious level of risk. These powerful machines can cause crushing injuries if operated incorrectly or if safety mechanisms fail.
The manufacturing sector in Ohio employs many machinery operators, and this industry has consistently high injury rates. You may encounter hazards from moving parts, pinch points, and mechanical malfunctions throughout your shift.
Your risk increases when working with older or poorly maintained equipment. Regular training and adherence to safety procedures are critical to minimize these dangers in your daily work routine.
Fatigue can be a significant factor in machinery-related accidents. You must remain alert during long shifts, as even a momentary lapse in concentration can lead to devastating consequences when operating powerful industrial equipment.
Many injuries occur during the loading and unloading process or when clearing jams in machinery. You need to follow lockout/tagout procedures consistently to prevent unexpected startups while performing maintenance.
17. Steelworker
Steelworkers in Ohio face significant occupational hazards daily as they transform raw materials into essential building components. You’ll find these workers in mills and foundries across the state, often dealing with extreme temperatures that can exceed 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
The dangers of steel work include burns from molten metal, crushing injuries from heavy materials, and respiratory issues from metal dust exposure. According to industry data, steelworkers experience injury rates well above the average for manufacturing positions.
You need to be constantly vigilant when working with overhead cranes that move massive steel beams throughout facilities. One moment of inattention can lead to serious injuries or fatalities when multi-ton loads are being transported.
Equipment operation presents another layer of risk, with specialized machinery like rolling mills and furnaces requiring extensive training. The combination of heat, noise, and heavy machinery creates an environment where workplace injuries occur at higher rates.
Long-term health concerns for steelworkers include hearing loss from constant industrial noise and potential respiratory conditions. You might also face ergonomic injuries from repetitive motions and awkward positioning required during various manufacturing processes.
Ohio’s steel industry has implemented numerous safety protocols over the decades, but the inherent dangers remain. Personal protective equipment is essential, including heat-resistant clothing, eye protection, and respiratory gear in certain areas of production.
18. Carpenter
Carpentry is one of Ohio’s more hazardous occupations, exposing workers to multiple injury risks daily. You face dangers from power tools, including circular saws, nail guns, and drills that can cause severe lacerations, puncture wounds, or amputations if mishandled.
Working at heights on construction sites puts you at constant risk of falls, especially when installing roof trusses or ceiling components. Scaffolding accidents remain a common cause of carpenter injuries across the state.
You’re also regularly exposed to harmful substances like wood dust, chemical adhesives, and preservatives. Long-term exposure to these materials can lead to respiratory issues, skin conditions, and other health complications.
Heavy lifting is another significant hazard in carpentry work. You frequently need to move lumber, equipment, and finished components, potentially leading to back injuries, hernias, and other musculoskeletal disorders.
Weather conditions in Ohio create additional challenges, as you often work outdoors in extreme heat, cold, or precipitation. These conditions increase fatigue and can impair judgment, raising your accident risk.
Eye injuries are particularly common in carpentry, with flying debris, dust, and wood particles presenting constant threats. Proper protective equipment is essential but not always consistently used.
Repetitive motion injuries develop over time as you perform the same cutting, hammering, and measuring tasks repeatedly. Carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis frequently affect carpenters who don’t take adequate breaks.
19. Plumber
Plumbers face a range of hazards that make their profession one of the more dangerous jobs in Ohio. You might encounter risks like exposure to toxic chemicals, sewage, and harmful bacteria that can cause serious illnesses.
Working in confined spaces presents another significant danger for plumbers. You may need to navigate tight crawl spaces or basements with poor ventilation, which increases the risk of suffocation or exposure to harmful gases.
Physical injuries are common in this profession. You’ll often work with sharp tools, handle heavy equipment, and maintain awkward positions that can lead to cuts, strains, and musculoskeletal disorders.
Burns are another occupational hazard for plumbers. When soldering pipes or working with hot water systems, you risk scalding injuries that can be severe and require medical attention.
Electrical hazards exist when you work in areas with water and electrical systems in close proximity. Without proper precautions, this combination creates a serious risk of electrical shock.
According to labor statistics, the healthcare sector accounts for 20.5% of workplace injury reports, but tradespeople like plumbers also face significant risks due to the physical nature of their work.
While plumbing is essential to our infrastructure, you should be aware of these occupational hazards if pursuing this career. Proper training, safety equipment, and adherence to protocols can help reduce your risk of injury on the job.
20. HVAC Technician
HVAC technicians in Ohio face numerous workplace hazards while installing, maintaining, and repairing heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. You might encounter electrical risks daily, as working with complex wiring systems is a fundamental part of the job.
Working at heights is another significant danger, as you often need to access rooftop units or ceiling installations. Falls from ladders, rooftops, or scaffolding can result in serious injuries or even fatalities.
Temperature extremes pose additional challenges. You may find yourself working in sweltering attics during summer or freezing outdoor conditions during winter, increasing the risk of heat exhaustion or cold stress.
Chemical exposure represents another hazard in this field. The refrigerants and cleaning agents you handle can cause respiratory issues, skin irritation, or more serious health problems if proper safety protocols aren’t followed.
Heavy lifting and awkward positions while installing or repairing equipment can lead to workplace injuries such as strains, sprains, and chronic musculoskeletal disorders. Your body takes a significant toll when maneuvering bulky HVAC components in tight spaces.
The combination of mechanical, electrical, and environmental hazards makes HVAC work particularly demanding. You must remain vigilant about safety protocols and consistently use proper protective equipment to minimize these substantial risks.