Dangerous Occupations Quiz: Staying Alive in Your 9 to 5

Truly Dangerous Jobs 

Ever come home from work feeling drained and thinking, this job is going to kill me? Of course, you know it won't actually kill you . . . it's just an expression. But for some people, worrying about serious on-the-job injuries is very, very real—and they may come home grateful that their job didn't literally kill them that day. 

This quiz tests your knowledge of the most dangerous careers there are. Even if you know quite a bit about risky occupations, you're likely to learn something new and interesting in this quiz—and there may be some surprises, too. For example, many of us hear "dangerous" and think of traditional "hero" jobs like firefighter or soldier. Spoiler alert: those aren't near the top (and neither is police officer). Instead, the folks most at risk during their workday tend to be the ones doing the backbreaking, uncelebrated work that the world depends on. And while some of these dangerous careers offer high compensation, others (garbageman, e.g.) are among the lowest paid. 

The Good News (and the Bad)

The good news is that workplace fatalities are down. . .way down. Harvard psychology professor Steven Pinker estimates that on-the-job accidents decreased 95% between 1913 and 2015—from 61 deaths per 100,000 workers to just 3.2 deaths. This amazing progress is due to increased knowledge and vigilance about workplace safety, particularly since the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) was established in 1971. Unfortunately, there's some bad news too: while still far below early 20th century levels, workplace fatalities have been on the rise in the past few years. Be careful out there! 

Have a Go! Let's See How Much About Dangerous Careers You Already Know! 

If you don't know much, all the better! Learning about these risky careers is fascinating. Then be sure to check out all of the QuizGriz General Knowledge quizzes. You're sure to find something you know about and something you don't!