Nobody really enjoys doing work. However, we must do what is necessary to survive and earn a living–even if that means compromising our health or safety. To put food on the table, pay the bills, and afford other essentials for living, many individuals put their lives on the line daily. The following professions are for strong-bodied and strong-minded people who would risk it all for their livelihoods and families.

1) Miner

Our planet is full of valuable natural resources such as petroleum and gold. The problem is that most of these fossil fuels and ores are found deep within the Earth’s crust–and somebody has to get them out. Miners are responsible for digging up these natural resources using hand tools and heavy machinery. They work in dark, poorly ventilated, and unstable tunnels that can come crashing down without warning.

2) Soldier

The warfighters of the world protect their resp

3) Construction workerective nations using advanced weaponry and deadly force when there is no other way to solve a conflict. Soldiers undergo harsh mental and physical training to prepare themselves for the darkest days ahead. War times are violent and bloody, and soldiers know that they can lose their lives any day on the job.

Modern cities are comprised of various structures including houses, corporate buildings, bridges, streets and more. Construction workers are responsible for erecting these structures, but the work can be extremely dangerous. Some of the hazards they face include: falling off of high ledges, having unfinished structures collapse on them, getting crushed or mangled by power tools or construction vehicles, and breathing in harmful particles such as sawdust and asbestos.

4) Fisherman

If you think that life on the high seas sounds exciting, you’re right–but it’s also a very dangerous one. Fisherman endure giant waves, powerful winds, thunder and lightning, frigid temperatures, seasickness, possible drowning, and long periods of time away from home to bring delicious seafoods to the rest of us land-dwellers.

5) Truck Driver

If you love driving, you might have considered becoming a truck driver in the past. Even though the pay is generally pretty good, you are usually on the road for at least eight hours per day with no company. The job is a very sedentary one, so it can cause weight gain and heart problems. Worst of all, you must deal with all types of harsh weather conditions and bad drivers on a daily basis.

6) Farmer

Without farmers, we would have to explore nature to gather our own food every time our stomachs begin to growl. Farmers grow and harvest fruits, vegetables, and animals so that they can sell and distribute them to grocers. However, the work is insanely physical, and the work days can be very long. Most farm-related injuries are due to heavy machinery accidents.

7) Metalworker

Metalworkers spend much of their day in a hot and humid factory. They are constantly in close proximity to molten metal, fire, and extreme heat. Metal-forming machines that can cause serious injury or death are also installed in most factories.

8) Pilot

Flying is the fastest and safest method of transportation today. That, however, does not mean that there aren’t job hazards. Flying planes can be dangerous because they may have technical issues mid-flight, you can collide with other aircraft or other objects, and it can be very stressful knowing that the lives of all passengers onboard are in your hands.

9) Police Officer

Police officers protect innocent people and their property. Going up against the bad guys can mean very bad things for cops. Since officers deal with murderers, armed robbers, rapists, car thieves and more, police work has one of the highest death rates of any profession.

10) Firefighter

Putting out fires and rescuing people from burning buildings is clearly dangerous. Firefighters know that entering one of these fiery structures could mean inhaling toxic smoke fumes, getting trapped in fallen rubble, and being burned alive.

These are just a few of the most dangerous professions in the world. Some things just need to get done–and somebody’s got to do them. Even though the majority of us shy away from such hazardous careers, there will always be those who will rise to the challenge.

About Author:
Michael Pines is a personal injury attorney at the Law Offices of Michael Pines, APC in San Diego, California. He is an accident and injury prevention expert, on a campaign to end senseless injury one article at a time.