The most hazardous jobs in the world
Working in front of a computer all day has its issues, but there are other jobs out there considered highly dangerous that only experienced professionals care to tackle. Some individuals thrive on risk and are quite happy to put their life on the line on a daily basis. Others have no choice, as the environment they work in is already hazardous and unpredictable.
So, what are the most dangerous jobs in the world? Browse the gallery and get to work finding out.
Lion tamers
Can a lion ever really be tamed? These guys thinks so and are willing to risk life and limb to try it. But every year reports emerge of lion handlers and so-called lion tamers being mauled or even killed in the name of entertainment.
Mechanics
Working with heavy-duty tools, handling components, the risk of breathing in dangerous fumes, and the risk of chemical spills all add up to working in a very hazardous working environment.
Roofers
It's work which often involves balancing on exposed beams, at a considerable height above the ground.
Mountain guides
This one takes guts. Not only are you having to deal with extreme and unpredictable weather and environmental conditions, you're taking other people's lives in your hands.
Carpenters
Crushed or severed fingers, cuts, bruises, grazes, and breathing in a fine mist of sawdust all day are commonplace in this trade.
Street sweepers
Who would have thought this job could be so dangerous? Well, it depends on the road you're sweeping and where it's located. In Kiva, Rwanda, women are put to work on dimly lit streets with heavy traffic in pretty unfriendly neighborhoods.
Astronauts
Since the USA and the former USSR began the space race 60-odd years ago, 34 individuals have lost their lives in exploring space, a mortality rate 7.5% higher than many other professions listed in this gallery.
Slaughterhouse workers
The number of injuries recorded in a slaughterhouse environment is three times higher than in more conventional factory work spaces.
Miners
For many, just the thought of spending hours hundreds of feet underground in a confined space would be enough to put them off working as miner.
Minesweepers
Easily one of the most dangerous professions in the world. Unfortunately there's plenty of work out there for these highly trained military personnel to contend with.
Firemen
The work these unsung heroes undertake in the name of safety is truly commendable. One day they might be rescuing a kitten from a tree, the next they'll be running into a blazing building to save those trapped in dangerous and inaccessible places.
Rescue workers
No matter what environment they work in, be it on land or at sea, the very fact that someone deliberately follows in the footsteps of an individual who has come to grief in order to offer assistance speaks volumes about the bravery and tenacity of rescue team members.
Farmers
Working very long hours in all weather on a daily basis with heavy-duty machinery and surrounded, perhaps, by large animals, makes working on a farm no easy walk in the park.
Groundskeepers/gardeners
Gardeners and groundskeepers are always exposed to the natural elements, as well as sharp tools and instruments.
Surgeons
Surgeons are constantly exposed to diseases, infections, and contaminants. Not to mention the dangerous tools you need to perform surgery.
