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In the sprawling expanse of Texas, the risks and dangers of some occupations are as broad as the state itself and as deep as the Gulf of Mexico. From the oil rigs to fishing boats, from the long highways to construction sites, a multitude of industries present daily hazards to those who keep the wheels of commerce turning. Meanwhile, as the mercury rises and politics also heat up, Texas has become the backdrop for a high-stakes game over worker safety and local governance. Caught in the crossfire are the workers. Here, we take a closer look at the 6 most dangerous jobs in the Lone Star state and their significance to the state and beyond.
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Texas’ “Death Star” bill, or House Bill 2127, has thrown a political wrench into the already contentious issue of worker safety. Framing a battle between conservative and progressive ideologies, it poses a significant threat to localized efforts aimed at enhancing worker protections, from mandated water breaks to overtime regulations. The bill has even caught the attention of the White House, emphasizing its far-reaching implications. Though a Travis County judge ruled that the law is unconstitutional, it goes into effect today (September 1) as legal fights continue. The fray over HB 2127 is expected to eventually come before the Texas Supreme Court.
As if the legislative challenges weren’t enough, Texas faced a dangerous, record-breaking heat wave in 2023, posing additional risks to outdoor workers. With temperatures soaring past 110 degrees Fahrenheit, emergency rooms are brimming with heat-related illnesses. Climate change models suggest these conditions could be the new norm, making the adaptation of safety protocols more urgent than ever.
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The Gulf of Mexico, with its azure waters and abundant marine life, serves as a lucrative yet perilous haven for Texas’s commercial fishermen. While the sea’s bounty might seem inviting, the reality for those who venture out can be a dangerous gamble. Between 2000 and 2019, a staggering 201 commercial fishermen lost their lives in the Gulf, illuminating the inherent risks of a profession often masked by its romantic connection to the sea. With an average of 100 fatalities per 100,000 workers, commercial fishing workers are 40 times more likely to meet an untimely end than the average worker in the United States.
Among the various types of fishing, shrimp fisheries bear the heaviest burden of fatalities—51% to be precise. It’s a troubling statistic for an industry that forms the backbone of many coastal Texas communities. Fatalities aren’t limited to shrimp fisheries; the snapper/grouper and oyster fisheries also considered dangerous vocations.
One might consider falling overboard as a manageable risk, but the numbers paint a different story. A disquieting 41% of these fatalities resulted from such incidents, which in turn led to drowning. This accounts for an even more staggering 82% of the deaths. The ocean, for all its majesty, remains an unforgiving entity, indifferent to the pleas of those plunged into its depths.
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The winches on fishing vessels, specifically those of the Southern shrimp fleet, hold their own dangers. Work-related injuries involving deck winches led to fatalities, especially when workers were isolated on the deck or vessel. In particular, the winch drum has a higher fatality risk compared to the winch cathead. Such machinery, designed to aid in the laborious task of reeling in the ocean’s bounty, can, in a blink, turn into a mechanical grim reaper. Furthermore, the hazards are not merely confined to falling overboard or machinery-related incidents. Vessel disasters and blunt force traumas also contribute to fatality statistics.
On a positive note, training in the use of recovery slings has shown promise in enhancing attitudes and beliefs toward crew overboard recovery. The problem, however, is that this newfound confidence tends to degrade over time, underlining the need for recurrent training and drills. In large part, resistance to incorporating such programs stems from the commercial fishing culture itself and how it evolved. Another turn of the evolutionary screw may be called for.
Between commercial fishing, sportfishing, and related tourism, the Gulf of Mexico-dependent activities and industries represents approximately 8.5% of Texas’ GDP. The fishing industry has a significant impact on Texas’ economy.
Fishing is not just a recreational activity but a vital part of the state’s tourism sector. The federal government earns $453 million from fish and wildlife recreation in Texas via income tax revenues. Commercial fishing across the United States is a $276 billion industry.
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In Texas’ booming energy industry, the numbers point to a worrying on-the-ground reality for workers. We know that the industry’s fatality counts have oscillated over the years, a phenomenon reflecting the broader national trends. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 60.4% of fatalities within this sector are concentrated among well servicing company workers, followed by drilling contractors at 17.9% and operators at 5.1%. These disparities make it clear: some subsets of workers are more vulnerable than others. Fatal injuries in private mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction sectors were 26% higher in 2017 than in 2016, demonstrating that even within industries, risks can escalate rapidly.
Around 60.4% of worker fatalities occurred among well servicing company workers, followed by drilling contractors (17.9%) and operators (5.1%). Year after year, the dangers persist. For example, fatal work injuries in private mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction rose 26% higher in 2017 compared to 2016.
While the oil and gas sector buttresses Texas’ economy, advancements in technology haven’t effectively trickled down or laterally crossed over to elevate worker safety. Even with the industry’s outsized profits and economic heft, or rather because of them, the conversation around safety becomes contentious.
This sector is a powerhouse, contributing $411.5 billion to Texas’s GDP. It accounts for 22.3% of the state’s GDP.
Women make up 22% of the 290,000 jobs in this sector.
Texas leads the nation in crude oil and natural gas production. The industry is crucial for the state’s economic diversification.
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The waste collection sector is another case that demonstrates the dangers of seemingly routine work. Though these workers only constitute a small fraction of the workforce, the fatal injury rate in waste management and remediation services was 44.3 per 100,000 workers in 2019, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In 2021, there was a noticeable spike to 10 fatalities, up from a relatively steady range of 3 to 5 in preceding years.
While fatalities declined in 2021, waste collection remains the 7th deadliest job in the United States. A concerning 75% of waste collectors reported experiencing a work-related injury, illness, or fatality within a year.
Waste collectors encounter a range of hazards, including heavy machinery, hazardous materials, and the unpredictability of road conditions and other drivers. Struck-by incidents, falls, and exposure to harmful substances contribute to these risks. A study published in the Journal of Environmental Respiratory Health revealed that waste collection workers in Poland inhaled 10 times more fungal aerosol concentrations than primary school staff, biohazards that could lead to chronic or acute respiratory issues.
The repetitive nature of the work, often involving heavy lifting and frequent jumps on and off the truck, exacerbates risks of musculoskeletal disorders. Furthermore, these workers often operate in solitude or semi-solitude, which can lead to heightened stress and mental health concerns, not often discussed but clearly present.
One cannot ignore the socio-economic factors at play. Waste collectors are typically among the lower-paid labor forces. Their limited access to healthcare and safety training adds another layer of vulnerability. The issue is not merely occupational but systemic, intersecting with broader societal issues of wage inequality and healthcare access.
Society’s blind spot towards this sector amplifies the dangerous nature of the job. The lack of awareness that feeds public ignorance can also obstruct meaningful policy changes for worker safety.
The recycling of municipal solid waste alone contributes more than $4.8 billion to the Texas economy.
The sector provides significant employment, although exact numbers are not readily available.
Recycling is on par with other significant industries and contributes over $195 million in local and state taxes annually.
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Construction, the building block of Texas’s prosperity, is far from a safe bet for its workers. In 2021, the construction sector accounted for 46.2% of all fatal falls, slips, and trips. Falls remain the most substantial contributor to these statistics, comprising 36.4% of the total number of fatalities in this sector. These harrowing statistics indicate a dire need to rethink safety protocols.
The construction sector is a microcosm of high-risk activities. In 2021, it accounted for 46.2% of all fatal falls, slips, and trips. Falls remain the leading killer, responsible for more than a third (36.4%) of total fatalities.
Despite leaps in technology and booming cities, a life-and-death gamble still exists. Current safety protocols appear ineffective and call for reassessment.
The political, economic, and human dimensions coalesce into a complex narrative around the construction sector, from towering skyscrapers to the ground-level risks that build them.
In 2021, construction contributed $93 billion, making up 4.7% of the state’s GDP.
Women account for 19% of the state’s 726,000 jobs in this sector.
The construction industry is vital for infrastructure development and urbanization, contributing $100.9 billion to the state’s economy.
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Truck transportation presents an alarming trajectory. The year 2021 saw 105 fatalities, up from 73 the year before. It’s not just the absolute numbers that are concerning; 1% of truck crashes were fatal (4,444), and 24% (101,000) resulted in injuries in 2022 and 2023.
The alarm bells keep ringing: 1% of truck crashes were fatal, with 24% resulting in injuries during 2022 and 2023. Moreover, a staggering 52.6% of truck drivers reported experiencing at least one serious work-related injury during their career.
It’s clear that systemic failures like overwork and inadequate rest periods persist, rendering this profession particularly hazardous.
Trucking supports 1.1 million jobs and contributes $91.6 billion to the state’s GDP.
Trucking is the largest employer in freight transportation in Texas.
The industry is crucial for facilitating economic and recreational activity across Texas, transporting goods worth more than $1.1 trillion out of state.
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The idyllic perception of agriculture contrasts starkly with the reality of 20 deaths per 100,000 workers in 2021. In that year alone, 368 farmers and agricultural workers met fatal ends, bringing to light the lurking dangers in a profession often viewed as simple and even happy-go-lucky. Moreover, with the climate change-related increase in unpredictable weather patterns and heatwaves, farm workers face an additional layer of risk and uncertainty in the open fields.
Extensive exposure to chemical pesticides leading to respiratory and other health issues, mental health challenges, and the fact that workers in this industry are generally from underserved populations, make for a dangerous mix. Additionally, adding to the mental health issues is the fact that this is one of the few industries in which entire families live and work on the premises. Each injury and death likely reverberate with more salience as workers find themselves out in the same fields in which their loss occurred, day in and day out.
In 2019, the food and fiber system contributed $159.3 billion, about 8.6% of the state’s total GDP.
Texas leads the nation in the number of farms and ranches.
Agriculture is not just about food production; it’s a cornerstone of the state’s economy, contributing nearly $25 billion in products sold in 2017.
The inconsistencies in fatality numbers across sectors are staggering. While there’s a decline in sectors like mining, with possible attributions to stricter regulations or technological advancements, others like trucking are on an upward trajectory. There’s an apparent need for a sector-specific approach to safety protocols to mitigate these risks better.
No single solution will suffice to address the multiplicity of risks. Still, a collective effort involving advanced training, legislative reforms, and a cultural shift can pave the way for a safer Texas. The emphasis on safety must be unequivocal, backed by both data and human stories, to rewrite Texas’s narrative into one of sustainable growth and worker well-being.
Worker safety in Texas stands at the intersection of technology, legislation, and environmental change. While advances in safety gear and best practices could save lives, political and climatic challenges add layers of complexity to the problem. We all need jobs, but not at the cost of our lives. It is obvious that a comprehensive solution is required to safeguard Texas’ most important asset—its workforce. For the hard-working men and women of Texas, navigating the hazards of their professions may be part of the job, but it doesn’t have to be a lethal part. Workers and local governments certainly do not gain from measures like the “Death Star” law when heatwaves become more common, intense, and lengthy. After all, hard work is difficult enough, especially when it carries the highest burden of risk to life and limb.
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