Becoming a heavy vehicle service technician has been named the most dangerous career path for US teenagers, according to a new study:
- Carpenters are the second most dangerous profession, while construction laborers and security guards are joint third
- Deaths of teenage workers were examined across a three-year period for each profession
A new study has revealed the most dangerous professions for a teenager working in the U.S. “Entering into the world of work and earning your own money is an exciting time for many teenagers,” said Richard Suzuki from Suzuki Law Offices, “However, it’s important to understand the risks involved with certain occupations, particularly those that involve physical labor.”
Personal Injury Firm Suzuki Law Offices examined workplace deaths among US teenagers (16-19) across various job roles from 2020-2022. Average death rates alongside average teen employment figures were analyzed to determine the death rate per 5,000 teenage workers for each profession.
1. Heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technicians and mechanics are first, with 2.5 deaths per 5,000 teenage workers.
This occupation involves inspecting, maintaining, and repairing vehicles and machinery used in various industries. Between 2020 and 2022, the profession employed 6,000 teenagers and witnessed three deaths.
2. Carpenters are second, with 1.4 deaths per 5,000 teenage workers.
Although a broad term, carpentry mainly focuses on designing, constructing, installing, and repairing furniture. With around 28,670 teenagers employed annually, this profession averages eight teenage deaths each year.
3. In joint third are construction laborers and security guards and gambling surveillance officers, with 0.96 deaths per 5,000 teenage workers.
Construction laborers work at construction sites, where they build, clean, and move project materials, and deal with debris and hazards. 48 teenage deaths were recorded in this profession across the three years examined.
Security guards and gambling surveillance officers protect people and properties, including casinos, and ensure procedures are being followed correctly. An average of three teenage deaths were calculated each year for this profession.
4. Farming, fishing, and forestry occupations are fourth, with 0.7 deaths per 5,000 teenage workers.
This occupation includes animal breeders, farmworkers and forest and conservation workers. Employing an average of 71,333 teenagers a year, the profession recorded 30 teenage deaths between 2020 and 2022.
5. Construction and extraction occupations are fifth, with 0.51 deaths per 5,000 teenage workers.
Painters, roofers, and electricians are all professionals in this occupation, which employs an average of 194,330 teenagers a year, with around 20 teenage deaths annually.
6. Driver/sales workers and truck drivers are sixth, with 0.49 deaths per 5,000 teenage workers. 17 teenage deaths were reported in this profession between 2020 and 2022, averaging 5.7 each year.
7. In seventh are other protective service workers, with 0.24 deaths per 5,000 teenage workers. Employing 219,000 teenagers in the years studied, this profession recorded 11 teenage deaths.
8. Joint eighth are installation, maintenance, and repair occupations, protective service occupations, and miscellaneous agricultural workers, with 0.23 deaths per 5,000 teenage workers.
9. Ninth are building and ground cleaning and maintenance occupations, with 0.21 deaths per 5,000 teenage workers.
10. Transportation and material moving occupations are tenth, with 0.14 deaths per 5,000 teenage workers.
