6 of Most Dangerous Jobs in Texas

What Are the Most Dangerous Jobs in Texas?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Texas had the most work-related fatalities in 2023 compared to the rest of the nation. Of the 564 deaths that year, transportation accidents, contact with objects or equipment, slip-and-falls, and exposure to harmful substances. As such, those employing workers in these dangerous jobs need to focus on protecting them.

Some of the most dangerous jobs in Texas include:

1. Waste Collection: One of the more surprising occupations that suffer from high rates of workplace death is trash collection. Waste and recycling collectors in Texas are at a high risk of death because they spend so much time in large vehicles on the road and because of the hazardous materials they come in contact with. In addition, sanitation workers utilize heavy machinery that can cause serious injuries and death.
2. Trucking: No Texas occupation has a higher number of occupational fatalities than the trucking industry. The National Safety Council (NSC) reported 730 total truck accident deaths in 2023, with 153 of those (21%) involving the truck driver. These truckers die while working due to several factors, including being overworked, the dangers of unsafe roads, and inadequate vehicle maintenance.
3. Roofing: Roofers work with bulky and heavy materials and equipment on the job, which are hard to carry up a ladder. Working high off the ground, roofers are at a significant risk of falling, leading to severe and fatal injuries. In addition to falls, roofers are also at risk for electrocution, toxic exposure, and more.
4. Oilfield Work: The dangerous, heavy equipment utilized in oil and gas drilling poses a significant risk to Texans working in the energy industry. Falls and being struck by machinery are two of the major hazards that routinely cause oilfield workplace injuries and deaths.
5. Construction: The highly physical nature of construction work results in many workplace deaths, particularly for structural iron and steel workers. One cause that’s not commonly thought of is that in an exceedingly hot location like Texas, many outdoor workers are at a high risk of heatstroke.
6. Aviation: Pilots and flight engineers have Texas’s third-highest per capita on-the-job death rate. Airplane and helicopter crashes can be caused by a wide range of factors, including equipment malfunction, weather conditions, inadequate training, and flawed maintenance.

Even with insurance from your employer, you could be catastrophically injured and suffer permanent disability. You may need vocational training to enter a different industry or be unable to support yourself. You may even require full-time care for the rest of your life or pass away from your accident.

Texas industry continues to grow every year, and the creation of so many new jobs across a wide variety of industries has led to an increase in workplace risks. Some jobs, however, are known to be more hazardous than others. While many jobs are considered dangerous by nature, that does not mean employees should be exposed to unnecessary risks.

Employers in these higher-risk fields should focus even harder on creating and implementing strict safety procedures as well as providing ongoing training to their teams on how to carry them out.

Prominent Industries in Texas That Carry Significant Hazards

Texas is outpacing the rest of the country in recovering economically from the pandemic as the fastest-growing state in the country. As our already very large and heavily populated state only continues to grow and thrive, the workforce within it needs to expand to support it. As more workers enter our Houston workforce, it’s vital for them to know where they may face the most significant risks for injury on the job.

The three biggest economic activities in Texas are cotton, ranching, and oil.

In addition to those, the Texas economy relies on more varied industry verticals, including information technology, aerospace, biomedical research, and manufacturing, among others.

The oil and gas industry remains the largest, with a total economic output of $1.13 trillion in 2024, according to IBISWorld. In addition to our economic success, recent population growth due to people relocating to Texas from all over the country has led to increased job growth.

Farming, ranching, oil production, and construction are some of the most hazardous fields. Injured workers in these industries sometimes face permanent disability after an accident.

Working with heavy equipment, dangerous substances, and unpredictable animals can result in serious injuries such as broken bones, traumatic head injuries, burns, and other life-altering conditions.

Employers Must Follow State and Federal Workplace Safety Regulations

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Texas Department of Health and Human Services (TxDOHHS) oversee employer compliance with regulations. Failure to maintain programs and inspections to protect workers can result in significant violations and penalties. If you believe your company is violating these standards, you can file a report without worrying about retaliation under the OSHA Whistleblower Protection Program.

Texas Does Not Require Workers’ Compensation Insurance

Since this coverage can serve as a bar to potential lawsuits, the lack of it leaves room for workers to sue their employer directly if they are hurt on the job. Even if your employer subscribes, there are often multiple companies working on one jobsite, which means another potentially responsible party may not be immune from a lawsuit. Only an experienced workplace injury lawyer can investigate the circumstances of your situation and advise you regarding the best possible course of action so that you can recover maximum compensation.

In rare instances, you may be eligible to seek benefits from both your employer’s insurance program while also pursuing a third-party lawsuit against an at-fault party.

These claims are very complicated and could result in the insurer seeking subrogation from your settlement to repay them for their costs. It’s vital to work with an attorney who understands the nuances of these claims and who will advise you for the best outcome.