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Which jobs have a high risk of occupational injury or disease?

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Asbestosis — occupational disease The lung disease asbestosis is caused primarily by prolonged inhalation of asbestos fibers. It occurs mainly among workers whose occupations involve exposure to asbestos and people who live near mines, factories, and construction sites.

Occupational injuries and diseases are health problems resulting from workplace activities or environments. It is a fundamental ethical principle that employers and states have a moral obligation to prioritize worker safety, as the human cost of preventable illness and injury is unacceptable.12

Jobs involving heavy machinery, transportation, or hazardous environments—such as underground or at-sea work—carry the highest risks. Specific high-risk occupations include:1

Military service1
Construction1
Mining1
Nursing1
Logging1
Truck driving1
Law enforcement1
Manufacturing (specifically involving toxic materials like metals)34

While traumatic injuries are often immediate, occupational diseases—such as those caused by inhaled dusts, noxious gases, or toxic chemicals like lead, mercury, and arsenic—can develop over time. Even office-based roles are not without risk; intensive computer use can lead to repetitive strain injury or postural issues.341

Effective occupational medicine programs, which emphasize prevention through engineering controls, proper ventilation, and the use of protective equipment, are essential to minimizing these risks and protecting the workforce.42