Some people spend years at school or undergo much training in an effort to acquire the skills needed for a particular profession- their dream job. While the ideal profession or job may be different for all of us, many people will agree that they would want a job that pays well, allows them to achieve a work-life balance, be in a safe and motivating environment with a positive company culture, has room for upward mobility and opportunities to develop new skills sets. These are not realized in all professions and are thus viewed as the worst. Here are five of the worst professions.

1. Cleaner

Cleaners often work in unsanitary conditions. They are exposed to many viruses and bacteria on a daily basis which places them at great health risks. There is a high risk of trips, slips, falls and injuries. The cleaning supplies used also pose health and safety concerns. The treatment of cleaners at work is frequently poor, and they often have to perform abhorrent chores. Unfortunately, many in-house cleaners are exploited by their employers and are paid unfairly.

2. Trucker

Being a trucker is quite a dangerous and taxing profession. Driving a truck involves spending long and tiring hours on the highways. There are often accidents which cause injury and even worse. Truckers spend several days at a time with inadequate rest, being seated for extended periods and eating lots of fast foods. This leads to hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, musculoskeletal injuries, stress and psychological problems. Truckers also lift heavy items which cause injuries. Further, tracking is a profession that is considered to be a dead end profession as there is no room for progress or development.

3. Hazardous Waste Diver

Hazmat diving refers to diving activities where there is a risk of exposure to hazardous materials outside of the typical range encountered during professional diving operations. People in search professions often have to venture into hazardous and muddy spills to facilitate prompt cleanup of polluted areas and to support scientific inquiry. Some harmful substances can be corrosive chemicals, radioactive or contain deadly bacteria in sewage tunnels. The divers have to wear protective gear which are quite uncomfortable and experience little visibility while navigating these unsafe and murky waters.

4. Miner

Mining involves extracting useful materials and minerals from the earth. Miners are exposed to harmful contaminants and toxic environments which cause serious health complications that can shorten their life expectancy. They suffer from long-term respiratory conditions such as silicosis and pneumoconiosis. Miners face the great risk of the collapse of tunnels and gas explosions as well. Mines are extremely noisy from the machinery, vehicles, drilling and explosions which can affect hearing. Miners in underground mines work in hot and humid conditions that lead to exhaustion and heat strokes.

5. Lumberjack

The initial harvesting and transportation of trees for eventual processing into forest products is carried out by lumberjacks. They risk serious injury from falling trees as they cut down trees all day in the forest usually from extremely high positions. They can also get injured from the specialized equipment being used. Logging is physically demanding as it requires workers to cut and load logs of trees on trailers. This causes overexertion which takes a toll on lumberjacks’ bodies after some time. With all these risks the pay is not quite attractive.