Number 7: Mahmood ur Rehman Mahmood ur Rehman was one of many linemen
to lose his life due to safety issues while on the job in Pakistan. While repairing a
wiring problem in one of his village’s powerlines, ur Rehman suffered a powerful electric shock.
Bystanders rushed the lineman to Haripur hospital, but there was nothing the doctors could do
to help him. He was declared dead upon arrival. Ur Rehman’s demise caused uproar among electrical
power linemen all across the country. The Hydro Union demanded better conditions, as
well as proper equipment and improved safety measures.
Omer Ayub Khan, Pakistan’s Minister of Power, announced a report would be submitted regarding
the incident. Family members demanded a full investigation be conducted.
Linemen are responsible for maintaining and repairing power lines in every city and town
across the globe. They often work in harsh weather conditions and deal with damaged electrical
wiring. Because of this, the risk of being electrocuted is high. The probability is increased
when linemen lack sufficient training, equipment or supervision. It’s not unusual for companies
to cut down expenses to the detriment of their workers’ health. Since they usually deal
with emergencies, linemen tend to be under high stress in a line of work where small
mistakes can prove fatal. Another common cause of death and injury for linemen are falls,
since they’re usually required to climb to great heights. Their average yearly salary
is $72,520 and the fatality rate is around 19 to 21 deaths per 100.000 workers. It’s
considered to be among the 10 most dangerous jobs in America.
Number 6: Unnamed train conductor In June of 2020, a spokesperson for the Canadian
National Railway union announced one of their workers had suffered a fatal injury in a rail
yard. The train conductor’s name wasn’t released, but it was reported he was in his
30s and had been employed by the CN since 2018.
This was the second fatality to occur during the month of June. Both conductors had been
performing switching operations when the accidents took place. The company refused to publicly
announce the causes of death. The Transportation Safety Board in British Columbia was called
to investigate both incidents.
With a yearly salary of up to $80,390, railroads conductors are responsible for the safety
of countless passengers every day. Though safety measures have greatly improved over
the past few decades, injuries and fatal accidents are still higher than in most other high-paying
jobs. In 2011, it was reported that around 187 per
10,000 workers were harmed every year. This is dramatically higher than the usual rate
for switch operators and engineers, which is between 68 and 79 per 10,000. In order
to become a railroad conductor, a certification is required, as well as between one to three
months of specialized training, depending on the area.
Number 5: Kwok Khee Khoon Kwok Khee Khoon was part of a group of divers
in charge of performing underwater survey works for several vessels at a Singapore port.
Khoon was responsible for cleaning the ships’ portholes. These are used to cool down engines
by sucking in seawater during navigation. While welding anodes in the sea chest box,
the porthole activated, trapping Khoon inside. By the time the pump was deactivated, it was
already too late. Khoon was declared dead at the scene. The prosecutor in charge of
the incident reported that it could have been avoided.
Underwater Contractor, the company in charge of the operation, was also charged and fined.
It’s estimated that about 15% of underwater welders perish while on the job. The death
rate is astonishingly high, with 5 out of 3,000 workers suffering fatal injuries every
year. The salary is equally high, as most underwater
welders earn up to $300,000 annually. It's a highly demanding job, requiring great skill
and concentration. Drowning is the most common cause of death. An oxygen cord being twisted
or breaking can yield fatal outcomes. These can be in the form of disabling injuries and
in more extreme cases, death. Though electrocution isn’t as common as people might believe,
it’s still possible when proper safety precautions aren’t applied.
Number 4: Parker Waldridge Parker Waldridge had been working on the oil
fields from the age of 16 and was highly respected in this domain. At the time of his death,
he was 60 years old and employed as a wellsite consultant. According to his wife, Waldridge
was obsessed with safety, and had never shown any concern about being injured while at the
job. He was one of five workers to perish in an explosion in Oklahoma. Their bodies
were ravaged beyond recognition, and had to be identified using dental records. The victims’
families were awarded $20 million after they filed a wrongful death lawsuit.
The average salary for an oil well driller was estimated at $99,175, in 2011. This number
can be doubled for highly skilled workers, with drilling consultants and reservoir engineers
earning $230,000 and $139,000 respectively. The average wage for workers with less than
a year's experience is still over $66.000. These high salaries come with high mortality
rates. From 2008 to 2017 alone, 1,566 people died while on this job in the US alone. Blowouts
are the most common cause of death, but other types of accidents may also occur. These incidents
include falling pulleys, electrocution, falling from great heights and being struck by collapsing
objects.
Number 3: Raju and Ishtar Khan While cleaning a 13 story property in India,
Raju and Ishtar Khan accidentally broke a panel, prompting them to fall approximately
100 feet to the ground. The window washers were using a hydraulic lift without the proper
safety gear. They suffered massive trauma to the head. Their injuries were so severe
that first responders couldn’t do anything to save their lives. They died on the spot.
Police promptly began an investigation, obtaining footage of the accident. An officer told the
media that arrests would be made, mainly involving negligence on the part of the employer.
The average highrise window washer can earn anywhere between $35,799 and $89,917 annually.
This number increases exponentially for skilled and experienced workers, who can make over
$198,333. Though the job offers great views and flexibility, there’s also a high risk
of severe or fatal injuries. Faulty safety gear can lead to deadly accidents, and sudden
climate shifts can prove disastrous. Though the death rate used to be significantly higher
before the 21st century, traumas suffered during falls can have life-long consequences.
Number 2: Deaths in space Most aerospace fatalities have occurred on
the ground or within Earth’s atmosphere, before the aircrafts managed to break through
into outer space, or during practice missions. Three astronauts, though, have perished outside
the Karman line up until 2020. This is the boundary that separates our planet from the
rest of the cosmos, set at 62 miles above sea level.
Georgi Dobrovolski, Vladislav Volkov and Viktor Patsayev perished when a cabin vent valve
opened due to a construction defect. A recovery team was deployed, but the decompression had
already proven fatal for the Soyuz 11 crew. Though the Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated
during re-entry, the tragic crash occurred within the Earth’s atmosphere.
In 2020, an astronaut’s salary can be anywhere between $66,167 and $161,141 per year. Though
this might be a tempting figure, few people manage to fulfil all the requirements the
job demands. Apart from having a bachelor’s degree in engineering, math, computer, biological
or physical science, candidates are expected to be in peak physical condition, to be in
the right age range and to have completed at least 1,000 hours of piloting. Training
is brutal and only a small percentage of those who apply are selected. This is because any
small mistake can prove deadly, both while in training and during actual missions. Structural
faults, human errors, weather conditions along with many other factors may cause decompression,
explosion and other fatal incidents.
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Number 1: Esthi Octavia Wara Hapsari In 2016, Dr Octovia Wara Hapsari, a 24-year-old
vet working at a tourist resort in Central Java died after being trampled by one of the
elephants under her care. She was taking pictures and left the area, leaving her phone behind.
When she realized it was missing, Hapsari returned to fetch it, but this seemed to startle
the wild animal. Though the elephant had remained calm at first, it turned on its handler, and
promptly attacked Hapsari, who was standing nearby. It lifted the vet using its trunk,
and then threw her violently onto the ground. The young woman succumbed to her severe injuries
before she could receive lifesaving medical attention.
The endangered Sumatran elephant had a history of becoming violent without any warning signs.
Veterinarians who attend to large and exotic animals can earn a starting salary of anywhere
from $75,000 to $85,000. This figure quickly progresses to an average of $150,000.
Being attacked or accidentally hurt by one of their patients is a very real threat. The
animal’s size alone makes this a dangerous profession, without taking into account each
species’ specific characteristics. Being exposed to hazardous chemicals and gases,
as well as lifting heavy objects can also lead to long-term trauma and even death. Infections
and envenomation, along with other illnesses, can also put the veterinarians’ lives at
risk. These professionals can work with a wide variety of species, including farm animals
and those in zoos or natural reserves.
Thanks for watching! Would you rather work for 10 years in a high mortality job or 40
years in a monotonous, risk-free career? Let us know in the comments section below!