Whenever I find myself complaining about my job, I stop and think about the men and women who work manual labor jobs, and I consider myself lucky. I give all the respect in the world to the individuals who break their bodies daily to build and maintain what we need as a society. You must be physically and mentally tough to make a living in these occupations.
1. Brick Masons
So you’re telling me that moving heavy brick and stone in the summer heat is hard? I’m kidding—of course it is. These workers bend and lift bricks all day long. That takes a toll on your body for sure. Plus, you have to factor in the elements. Hopefully, they get some time off in the hot summer months.
2. Hand Laborers/Truck Unloaders
Someone must load and unload those 18-wheelers you see driving across the country. Often, these laborers are in a hot, sweaty warehouse, sometimes even in the rain and the snow. Moving heavy boxes from one end of the warehouse to the other can cause some serious strain on your back. What makes things worse is that they are usually underpaid since it is unskilled work. Still, I give these workers all of the respect they deserve.
3. Firefighters
Being a firefighter isn’t as glorious as some TV shows and movies may lead you to believe. It’s not just hanging out at the station with a cute Dalmatian or spending time sliding down the pole.
These brave men and women spend their days putting themselves in dangerous situations to help others. They are prone to fire hazards, demolished buildings, car crashes, and natural disasters. The September 11th attacks are a perfect example of the toughness of these firefighters and the heroes they are.
4. Roofers
Working on a roof several feet off the ground with the hot sun beating down does not sound like my idea of a good time. These workers are prone to falls and must constantly worry about their safety and crews. Add some power tools and heavy equipment, and you have one of the hardest jobs on the market. Thank you to these roofers for keeping a roof over our heads!
5. Iron and Rebar Workers
Rebar is essential for reinforcing the integrity of buildings and other structures. A day in the life of a rebar worker usually involves using power tools like pipe benders, blow torches, and high-powered torque wrenches. Long days on your feet transporting heavy materials and constantly bending down can make you want to run home and jump in the hot tub to soothe those aching muscles.
6. Steelworkers
Steelworkers and ironworkers spend their days lifting and setting giant steel girders and columns to make the general structure of new buildings. Often, they are working high up in the sky, strapped into a harness as their only means of safety. Add the dangerous welding equipment and heavy machinery, and you have a job that would scare some of the bravest daredevils.
7. Derick Operators
This is a dirty job. Imagine being covered in mud and other muck while trying to operate heavy machinery. These workers work on oil rigs in high-pressure situations. They work with a machine that keeps mud and water flowing to eventually find crude oil. With so many moving pieces, these workers must have excellent strength, flexibility, and hand-eye coordination.
8. Landscapers
Working outside can be a nice job perk, but that can change when the blistering summers hit. Being a landscaper involves long hours of bending, and working on your knees in the summer heat. These workers are also constantly using dangerous heavy equipment like chainsaws and trimmers. They must drink a lot of water to stay hydrated during these long summer months to avoid dehydration.
9. Commercial Fisherman
Commercial fisherman aren’t spending their days drinking iced tea on a pier somewhere. No, these fishermen are risking their lives so we can have fresh seafood in our grocery stores. These workers usually live on the boat for months, battling everything an open sea can throw at them.
Working with dangerous equipment that includes sharp hooks and fast-moving lines that can throw you overboard is just a day in the life of a commercial fisherman. In addition, being homesick from being gone for so long adds a mental fatigue that is hard to imagine.
10. Correctional Officer
Working in a prison is bound to have its challenges. Correctional officers are surrounded by some of the most dangerous criminals on the planet. These guards are responsible for breaking up fights and maintaining peace in the general population. It might not be as stressful on the body as other jobs, but the constant stress of dealing with potentially hostile situations can have some negative effects on the body.
11. Mechanic
Mechanics constantly spend their days standing for long periods while bending over, squatting, and lying on their backs. The work is often done in hot garages with loud noises and tools that can be dangerous if put in the wrong hands. Mechanics’ hands are tested daily as they work on dirty motors in tight places. Kudos to them for keeping us on the road, though.
12. Wind Turbine Techs
Have you ever driven down the highway and seen giant wind turbines? Sometimes, these machines break down and need to be fixed. That’s where these technicians come in. They brave the heights and climb to the top to service these enormous machines. Are you afraid of heights? These men and women make their living from a couple hundred feet in the sky.
13. Forest and Conservation Workers
These workers maintain national parks by developing and protecting the forest. Their duties include pest control, tree planting and removal, and general maintenance of the forest and its facilities. Long days of walking, year-round weather, and heavy equipment make this one of the more dangerous jobs on the market.
14. Tilers
Those fancy tiles in major stores, restaurants, hotels, and homes must be set up by someone. Tilers spend their entire day bent over on their knees, ensuring the lines are even and everything is perfect. Tiles can be delicate, so tilers must be careful when performing manual labor. Just thinking about spending my days on my knees makes my back hurt.
15. Rock Splitters
This sounds like a job for Fred Flintstone, and after further thinking, I’m pretty sure that was Fred’s job. If you didn’t know, a rock splitter is precisely what it sounds like. These workers use wedges, drills, and detonation to split larger rocks into smaller rocks. They must be exhausted after a long day of breaking up rocks. No wonder Fred Flinstone ate a rack of dinosaur ribs after he clocked out.