America's Surprisingly Unhealthy Jobs:

Forget stuntmen. Some of the country's least healthy jobs are in cubicles, hospitals, and restaurants. Are you at risk?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), it's not just farm laborers or police officers who have high rates of workplace injuries and illnesses. In fact, some common -- and seemingly benign -- professions have high rates of injury and illnesses that were severe enough to cause workers to miss at least one day of work in 2006.

Danger in Some Workplaces

The following eight professions are among the highest in terms of injuries and illnesses, listed in descending order based on the number of incidents reported to BLS (in parentheses).

Construction Worker (125,120)
"Falls and problems from repeated hammering are the biggest problems," says Garrett Brown, an industrial hygienist at the California Occupational and Health Administration.

Office/Administrative Staff (83,320)
The biggest risk is repetitive strain injuries from typing, as well as illnesses from inhaling toxic printing inks and other substances.

Sales Staff (76,210)
These jobs may seem innocent, but Brown says salespeople fall from ladders while gathering merchandise, strain themselves carrying it to customers, get repetitive strain from typing reports, and even suffer injuries from malfunctioning displays.

Nursing Aides, Orderlies, and Attendants (49,480)
These workers can be exposed to everything from toxic chemicals in hospitals and nursing homes to strains from lifting heavy patients.

Janitors and Housekeepers (46,540)
The heavy carts many housekeepers push can injure their backs and potent cleaning supplies can cause illnesses, says Brown.

Registered Nurses (20,500)
Lifting heavy patients, getting hit by gurneys, or attacked by family members can cause injuries.

Waiters (9,520)
"Those heavy trays don't carry themselves," says Dr. Davis Liu, author of "Stay Healthy, Live Longer, Spend Wisely: Making Intelligent Choices in America's Healthcare System." He continues, "Everything is supersized, and waiters are carrying 5- to 10-pound trays repeatedly, sometimes up on a shoulder with one hand."

Computer Specialists (2,720)
"The ergonomic problem here is not only typing, but also workplace design," says Brown. "Sometimes they squeeze tall people into small spaces."

Re: America's Surprisingly Unhealthy Jobs:

OOHH can I report my company to Osha I fall into the office/administrative staff

Re: America's Surprisingly Unhealthy Jobs:

a sore back? falling off a later? STRAIN injuries from typing? Are they serious!?

I can name more that are much worse...

the airline refuelers who get cancer for the jet fuel

dry cleaners & the toxins they breathe in daily.


problems from repeated hammering for construction workers??? How about the steel & concrete dust they breath in all day?

Re: America's Surprisingly Unhealthy Jobs:

Re: America's Surprisingly Unhealthy Jobs:

I think a Customer Service Rep should be up there because after dealing with screaming irate people all day long you want to run someone over with your car.

Getting screamed at all day long is definately a hazard to anyone's health

Re: America's Surprisingly Unhealthy Jobs:

Re: America's Surprisingly Unhealthy Jobs:

I haven't read your post yet, Dani, but I have to say that I work at the Bureau of Labor Statistics Glad the nerds in my building produce such excellent data!

Re: America's Surprisingly Unhealthy Jobs:

see, now you know why i'm a grouchy waitress haha jk

Re: America's Surprisingly Unhealthy Jobs:

Posted by melbalalala

I haven't read your post yet, Dani, but I have to say that I work at the Bureau of Labor Statistics Glad the nerds in my building produce such excellent data!

Re: America's Surprisingly Unhealthy Jobs:

I'm an admin and I type A LOT. Sometimes I worry about carpal tunnel and stuff like that... just last week I had to type a 79 page course handbook!