Dangerous Occupations. About two million people in the U.S. are victims of violent crime in the workplace every year, according to a US Department of Justice and Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Study between 1992-1996. The occupations examined included those that prior studies have deemed to be more vulnerable to criminal victimization.
Most Dangerous Occupations
The rate of violence per 1,000 workers during the five-year period studied was as follows:
| Occupation | Rate | Victims |
|---|---|---|
| Law Enforcement Officers | 306 | 234,000 |
| Prison or Jail Corrections Officers | 218 | 58,300 |
| Taxi Drivers | 184 | 16,100 |
| Private Security Guards | 117 | 71,100 |
| Bartenders | 91 | 26,400 |
| Mental Health Professionals | 80 | 50,300 |
| Gas Station Attendants | 79 | 15,500 |
| Convenience or Liquor Store Clerks | 68 | 61,500 |
| Mental Health Custodial Workers | 63 | 8,700 |
| Junior High/Middle School Teachers | 57 | 47,300 |
| Bus Drivers | 45 | 17,200 |
| Special Education Teachers | 41 | 9,000 |
| High School Teachers | 29 | 33,300 |
| Elementary School Teachers | 16 | 35,400 |
| College or University Instructors | 3 | 6,600 |
Dangerous Occupations: Workplace Homicide
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, homicide was the second leading cause of death in the workplace following highway fatalities. Workplace murders accounted for 1 of every 6 fatal occupational injuries. Firearms were used to commit more than 80% of all workplace homicides. By far, white males between the ages of 25 and 44 were the victims of workplace homicides occurring as a result of an armed robbery in a late-night retail setting.
During the same period, an average of 330,000 retail employees were victimized annually. Late-night retail establishments by far had the highest rate of violence. Of the 107,854 annual business robberies, 67,144 occurred in commercial houses, 28,090 in convenience stores, and 12,621 in gas stations. More than one offender (43%) committed commercial robberies in contrast with other forms of workplace violence that only involved one offender (84.7%).
Strangers committed the majority of workplace violence (59.6%) and most victims were men (66%). Most of the violent offenders were male (82.9%), white (58.4%), and over 21 years of age (76.4%).
Public law enforcement and private security guards experienced the most workplace assaults each year with an estimated 327,000 simple assaults and 100,000 aggravated assaults.
Dangerous Occupations: For More Information
- Workplace Violence Risk – Are High-Risk Occupations Changing?
- Workplace Violence: Robbery Homicide at Wendy’s
- Robbery Homicide at Burger King
- Fast Food Restaurant Security QSR Restaurant Crime Prevention
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