How Do I Avoid Dangerous Jobs?

To avoid dangerous jobs, do some research on the professions or trades that interest you. Look for information on the rates of death or injury for workers and compare them to other occupations. In addition, read information about the particular hazards of each job. It is also important to keep in mind that some jobs can be more dangerous under specific circumstances. For example, if you are pregnant, jobs that are not otherwise considered to be dangerous may present significant health risks. Finally, if you are interested in minimizing the occupational hazards that accompany dangerous jobs, you may wish to work for companies that offer strong, comprehensive safety training programs.

If you are concerned about your safety on the job, it's a good idea to familiarize yourself with hard data on the actual risks of a particular profession. In many countries, government labor departments maintain records on the number of injuries and deaths that occur while people are working. For example, if you work in the United States, you can get this information from the Department of Labor's website. In other countries, you should contact the government agency that oversees labor statistics to find out how to obtain this information. Labor departments frequently also provide information on the potential risks of various jobs so that you can decide for yourself whether you wish to enter a trade or profession.

There is some evidence that the risks involved in performing dangerous jobs can be lessened significantly if an employer provides good safety training to its workers. If you are considering entering a profession that is considered high risk, find out what potential employers do to prepare you for safely performing your job. In situations where you are able to find several companies that have been able to minimize risk through strong training and safety precautions, you may be less hesitant to take on dangerous jobs offered through these employers.

If your current employer insists that you perform dangerous jobs and you are not comfortable with this requirement, investigate your legal rights. In some jurisdictions, you may have the legal right to refuse to perform tasks that put you in danger. This means that you may be able to legally challenge disciplinary measures taken against you by an employer for refusing to perform activities that you believe put you in danger. You may also have the option of receiving unemployment compensation if your employer decides to fire you because you do not wish to perform activities that are dangerous to your well-being.