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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Business
Kashmira Gander

The most dangerous jobs in the UK

The daily grind of the 9 to 5 can wear us all down from time-to-time, but for some people working can endanger their lives. 

The latest findings by the Health & Safety Executive have revealed that 142 people died at work between 2014 and 2015. 

But the jobs which top the list don't involve the James Bond-style spying, and instead including farming, construction and factory work. 

Here are the most dangerous jobs in the UK, according to data compiled by The Metro.

1) ​Farmer

Exposed to the elements and dealing with heavy machinery, farming can be tough. Some 33 people died while working on a farm in 2014/2015.

2) Builder

Heights, dangerous equipment and unsafe structures blight builders' working days. 35 builders died last year, however it scored lower than farming because the HSE data takes into account non-fatal accidents and the number of workers in the industry is 3.1 per cent, 1.2 per cent less than farming. 

3) Goods transporter

Spending the majorty of their time on the motorways, which are higher risk than normal roads, 9 freight drivers died in 2014/2015. The industry has an injury rate of 2.6 per cent. 

4) Manufacturer 

Similarly to building and farming, factory-work involves dangerous machinery. 16 people died in factory work between 2014/2015, mostly after being hit by an object or after contact with equipment. 

5) Health and social carers

Those in healthcare work are constantly exposed to illnesses, which contributes to the 4.6 per cent sickness rate among workers in the industry. 

6) Public admin/defence 

Tasked with protecting the public, stress accounts for 52 per cent of the sickness rate in public defence and administration, with those cases being linked to depression, stress or anxiety. 

7) Refuse collector 

Few jobs involve being exposed to bacteria as much as waste collection. Between 2009/2010 and 2014/2015, 8,000 workers were ill, amounting to a sick rate of 4 per cent.

But let's not forget mining...

A separate study of HSE data seen by The Mirror concluded that mining is the most dangerous job in the UK, but does not rate as highly as other professions as there are only three pits left in the country. Working deep underground, miners are exposed to danger every day. 

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