In the world we live in today it seems pretty common to sit around and complain about our jobs. Whether the conversation is over a few beers or a few sewing needles, the general theme when it comes to employment tends to be the same.,”My job sucks”. Sure, there are a few of you out there who love your jobs and couldn’t be happier. For the rest, this article is for you. That is unless your job falls into this list of the top 10 most dangerous jobs. If it does, then we are extremely sorry but at least now you know you need to tip toe your way around the workplace. Without further ado, here are top 10 most dangerous jobs on Earth.

1. Police Officers

While police officers were acknowledged as working a profession that dealt with danger after 9/11, the fact remains there are quite a lot of daily hazards they face as well. The people in this profession work with some of the worst people in the world and are constantly in the line of fire. Because the danger is so prominent, anyone that works as a police officer deserves all of our respect and adulation.

Death Statistics – 140 in 2008 and 181 in 2007.

2. Fire Fighters

The name of this profession really gives us all the information we need to know to put firefighters on the list. These people fight fires. There really cannot be many things more dangerous than that. Haven’t you seen the move Ladder 49? Every time firefighters scamper up a ladder or into a burning house they are putting their lives on the line. This is a profession that requires you to be tough as nails. If you want to stick to your desk job, I don’t think anyone is going to blame you.

Death Statistics – 114 in 2008

3. Construction Worker

No matter how you look at it construction workers take a serious beating. This one comes as far less of a surprise considering the day to day abuse these guys deal with. While you may sit behind a desk and be scared of a paper cut here and there, these men deal with concrete, piles of metal, bricks, and a massive number of sharp and powerful tools. Even still, the shocker comes when we look a bit closer and realize that the majority of workplace deaths are attributed to falls. Doesn’t sound as masculine, but can still be pretty deadly. Be sure to strap on a hard hat next time you get close to a construction area.

Death Statistics – 77 Deaths in 2008.

4. Timber Cutter

Anyone that heads out to the forest or the mill and works with wood seems to be in constant danger. There is really one main reason for that: saws. They are deadly, they are sharp, and they are hard to control. One wrong move and they can cut through skin like a hot knife goes through butter. That makes this top dangerous job a little less surprising as saws are the number one culprit for deaths in this industry. Kind of obvious now isn’t it?

Death Statistics – 3 recorded in 2008

5. Fisherman

Fishing is an old school pastime full of relaxation, family, and good times. Millions of us love to get our line wet in the water and sit back with a cold beer. It is as much tradition as turkey on thanksgiving for many people. Problem is that it isn’t all fun and relaxation for the people that man vessels for a living. Commercial fishing is an extremely dangerous profession, especially when it comes to catching crab in the icy waters of Alaska. The weather can be daunting, hooks are incredibly sharp and the amount of ropes, ties, and swinging booms can cause fisherman to look over their shoulder every minute of the day. So the next time you gobble up some smoke salmon, give a toast to the people that risked their lives for you to eat a delicious meal.

Death Statistics – In 2007, 128 out of every 100,000 fishermen in Alaska are known to have perished. Read more here

6. Truck Driver

Keep on driving, that is all you have to do. Seems pretty easy when you first think of it, but maneuvering around an unpredictable 18 wheeler is a lot harder than some people imagine, and a lot more dangerous. Not only can the job be physically dangerous but the mental strain of the job really does tend to take its toll. On the whole the transportation industry is a dangerous field as it is, but it is truck drivers than take the brunt of the danger. Thinking of skipping out on college and getting your license to man a big rig? You might want to mull it over a bit considering that there are a lot safer and easier jobs out there. Cleaning toilets may make you smell like you know what, but you are a lot more likely to make it home.

Death Statistics – 4808 in 2008

7. Retail Worker

No, this is not a joke. Yes the category is a broad one but retail workers are in fact putting themselves on the line everyday in order to make a little extra commission. Whether the workers ring the till at a grocery store, gas station, liquor store, or convenient store there is an added chance that they could die from a workplace hazard. It may never happen and you are probably safe in the local mall, but you still are in a lot more danger than the high school teacher or local tollbooth operator.

Death Statistics – 32 death in 2008

8. Service Sector Worker

Admittedly this selection has a pretty broad net cast over it, but there are quite a few jobs out there where you may want to wave the white flag. If you stroll in to work in order to run the roller coaster at the local carnival or fix brakes on cars you may be in trouble. In fact any repair job that works with heavy equipment puts the employee at a pretty large risk. Makes you feel a bit better about not knowing what a Phillips head screwdriver is, doesn’t it?

Death Statistics – 466 in 2008/2009

9. Farmer

The people who work on producing crops every year account for a surprising number of occupational deaths. While it may be a shocker at first it makes a lot more sense when you look into it a bit further. Farmers have passed away while working thanks mostly to incidents involving transportation problems, getting far too up close and personal with dangerous machinery and…heat strokes. The State of California reported 6 deaths from heat strokes in the year 2008.

Ever gotten the chance to visit a farm up close and personal? There are more than enough freaky looking tools around that seem to be just waiting for someone to use them incorrectly. The moral of this story is to watch your step around any barn and maybe even just stick to the grocery store whenever you can.

Death Statistics – 26 in 2008/2009

10. Miner

No matter what the prize or mineral you are after, mining is a dangerous business. Coal miners seem to get a lot of the attention when it comes to danger and the job deserves some of it considering they make up for a quarter of mining related deaths. However what you may not know is that extracting oil and gas is far more dangerous. The men and women that get down and dirty with oil actually make up for over half of the deaths in the industry. Yet another reason to shift our attention to a greener world. Strap on your solar vest and know that you are saving lives.

Death Statistics – 29 Deaths in 2008.

Note - The statistics given above are for U.S, Canada and Mexico only.

I am sure you have a list of your own, that you believe to be dangerous. Would love to hear your thoughts on it.