A guide to: The most dangerous industries

Here, National Accident Helpline highlights a few of the most dangerous industries, the risks to workers in these industries and what to do if you're unfortunately involved in an accident at work.

Recycling and waste is the second most dangerous industry for workers in the UK. In fact, if you work in the recycling and waste management industry, you are 11 times more likely to suffer a workplace accident that results in death than the average UK employee.

Workplace injuries in the waste management industry can be caused by repetitive motion and heavy lifting as well as moving machinery and vehicles. Typical injuries that occur in recycling and waste management are, for example, muscle injuries. Workers in waste management can try to avoid workplace injuries by not lifting heavy objects alone, and ensuring they always use the correct equipment. 

Manufacturing is a dangerous industry to work in for workers in the UK. You often find manufacturing in warehouses, many of which have dangers associated with them. When workers do unfortunately sustain a workplace injury or accident in the manufacturing industry, this will be most likely from:

• falls from height
• accidents due to moving machinery
• being hit by a  moving object

There are ways to prevent workplace injuries in the manufacturing industry however, such as:

• understanding the machinery you use
• check other workers are not near to moving parts
• wear tightly fitted clothing to avoid catching it in machinery
• wear protective clothing as necessary
• do not move objects which are too heavy

The civil engineering industry is another of the most dangerous industries to work in for UK workers.  

Dangers can arise through, for example:

• collapsed excavations
• collisions with workers and vehicles
• electrical accidents

The risk of accidents in the civil engineering industry can be reduced by, for example:

• completing risk assessments to find out the dangers
• wearing high-vis gear
• wearing protective clothes 
• isolating electrical power or turn it fully off
• sectioning roads with blockers

It may not be a surprise to find out that scaffolding and roofing is a dangerous industry to work in. 

When working as a roofer you will work from height regularly and falls from height are the reason for many deaths in the scaffolding and roofing industry. 

To help prevent scaffolding and roofing workplace accidents and injuries you should: 

• ensure you test roofing and scaffolding in advance of using it
• ensure other workers are near you for support
• check all scaffolding screws are secure

If you work in the transportation and haulage industry there is a risk of injury and being involved in accidents in the workplace. In fact, working in the transportation and haulage industry means that you are twice as likely than the average worker in the UK to experience a workplace injury or accident which results in death. 

Three common causes of accidents at work in the transportation and storage industry are:

• being struck by a moving vehicle
• falling from a height
• being hit by a falling object

In the US the logging industry is recorded as having the highest death rate of workers at 97.6 deaths per 100,000 workers. Workers in the agriculture and forestry industry are more likely to suffer a workplace injury which results in death than workers in the construction industry.

The agriculture and forestry industry includes working from extreme heights and ,to help keep safe, staff may have to take online tests to ensure they are aware of factors which can affect what they are doing. 

If you work in the farming industry you run the risk of serious injury in the workplace. Farming accidents can be severe and even sadly result in fatal injuries. 

For example, you risk injury from:

• handling dangerous livestock
• falls from height
• working with heavy machinery

Risk of workplace accidents in the farming industry can be reduced by, for example:

• only operating machinery you know how to
• wearing tight-fitting clothes to avoid it catching in the machinery
• not approaching animals you are not familiar with
• moving away carefully from the farm animals, to prevent them being startled

Working in the fishing industry is one of the most dangerous industries to work in. Commercial fishermen are more likely to suffer a workplace injury which results in death than workers in the construction industry.  It can cause, for example, falling overboard when the seas are rough.

Water and the weather are not always predictable so dangers in the fishing industry can suddenly arise, catching out those who are out to sea.

Construction and home improvements are dangerous industries to work in for workers in the UK. However, they are not as dangerous as other dangerous industries such as:

• the agriculture industry, forest industry and fishing industry
• waste and recycling

In the United States, however,  construction has been listed as the fourth most dangerous industry. 

The biggest danger for those in the construction industry is falling from a height. Injuries from falling objects are also a problem. To reduce workplace injuries in this industry you can:

• carry out a risk assessment
• label risks and signpost hazards which could result in tripping
• wear protective clothing

The home improvement industry also carries a risk of injury and accidents.  Joining and painting, for example, can cause death which often occurs due to falling. To prevent this you can:

• ensure ladders are suitable before you use them
• check surroundings for hazards such as electrical wires and animals before you climb to heights
• ensure you do not work under those working at height in case objects do fall

If you have a  workplace accident there are actions you should take. These are as follows:

• seek help such as medical attention
• where you can report the accident to your employer who should record it in an accident report book
• if possible take details of witnesses 
• take photos of the injury where you can. 

^{Last updated 03.05.23}