72 Construction Safety Statistics: Data-Backed Insights to Protect Your Crew and Business

Nobody should have to choose between a job and their safety. Unfortunately, most construction professionals often find themselves in a precarious position, especially in workplaces that are more obsessed with compliance paperwork than building a safety culture. 

The construction industry typically suffers the highest number of fatal work injuries of any major industry year after year, so it’s high time for construction businesses to step up their safety protocols. Otherwise, they’ll risk losing more of their workforce… and their bottom line. 

This article offers dozens of important construction safety statistics to steer you in the right direction toward a safer workplace. You’ll get a rundown of the latest data on construction safety trends and hazards, and we’ll also offer safety practices designed to build better, safer work environments for construction workers.

Key Findings

• Construction leads all private industries in fatalities, with over 1,000 deaths annually.
• Some workers face higher risks, especially in small businesses, high-risk trades, and certain demographics.
• Injuries come at a massive cost, with billions lost in medical expenses, lost workdays, and OSHA fines.

Construction Safety in the U.S. Today

1. Construction Fatalities: Key Stats and Trends

Construction work remains one of the most dangerous occupations, with fatality rates consistently outpacing other private industries. Year after year, the data highlights troubling trends that point to ongoing risks and the need for stronger safety measures.

• The construction industry accounts for 1 in 5 workplace deaths²¹. 
• From 2011 to 2022, the construction industry recorded the highest workplace fatalities among private industry sectors, peaking at 1,069 in 2022 or 21.36% of all U.S. worker fatalities³⁴.
• In 2023, the construction industry also had the highest number of fatal work injuries in the private sector, with 1,075 deaths representing 23.71% of all U.S. worker fatalities¹. However, the construction industry only accounted for 6.05% (8.099 million) of all total private industry employees in the U.S. in 2023³³. 
• Overall, the fatal work injury rate for construction and extraction occupations increased from 12.3 deaths per 100,000 workers in 2021 to 13.0 in 2022, dropping slightly to 12.9 in 2023². 
• Texas has reported the most construction fatalities of any U.S. state, with over 1,100 fatal injuries since 2011. It’s followed by California (745), Florida (672), New York (457), and North Carolina (332)³. 

Key Takeaway

The construction industry remains the most dangerous private sector, with over 1,000 deaths or 9.6 fatal work injuries per 100,000 full-time workers in 2023.

2. Nonfatal Construction Injuries by the Numbers

Beyond fatalities, construction workers also face a high risk of nonfatal injuries that can impact their health, productivity, and livelihood. The numbers reveal how these injuries vary across states, underscoring the need for targeted safety measures in different regions.

• In 2023, the construction industry reported 167,600 nonfatal work injuries (2.2 cases per 100 full-time workers), ranking 6th among private sectors⁴.
• Nonfatal construction injuries and illnesses in 2023 varied significantly by state, with Vermont reporting the highest overall injury rate at 4.5 cases per 100 full-time workers⁵. 

Key Takeaway

While construction ranks high for fatal injuries, the industry also sees significant nonfatal injuries. Injury rates vary widely by state, highlighting the need for localized safety strategies to address both fatal and nonfatal risks effectively.

The Financial Toll of Construction Injuries

Construction injuries and fatalities come with steep financial consequences for businesses and workers. The following numbers reveal the economic burden of failing to comply with workplace safety protocols. 

a. Lost Workdays and Absence Rates

• On average, U.S. construction workers miss 11 work days a year due to job-related injuries⁷. 
• In 2023, the construction industry had a 2.6% absence rate, meaning 2.6% of workers were absent on regular workdays, with 1.9% absent due to illness or injury⁸. 

b. Direct and Indirect Costs

• The indirect costs of construction workplace injuries and diseases were estimated to be $183 billion–2.7 times higher than the direct medical costs of approximately $67 billion⁹. 
• Construction-related deaths cost the U.S. nearly $5 billion annually, which factors in lost production, family income, pain and suffering, and reduced quality of life¹⁰. 
• Serious nonfatal injuries (covering cases with over five days of missed work) cost the U.S. construction industry $10.7 billion annually¹¹.

c. OSHA Penalties

• OSHA penalties for construction safety violations can be up to $16,550 per serious violation, $16,550 per day for failure to abate, and $165,514 per willful/repeated violation¹². 
• In 2023, OSHA’s most cited construction regulation was a lack of fall protection, with 6,616 citations and an average penalty cost of $7,270 per violation/citation¹³. 
• Other top violations¹³ involved…
  • ladders (2,709 citations and an average penalty of $3,501 per citation)
  • fall protection training (2,170 citations and an average penalty of $2,225)
  • eye and face protection (1,886 citations and an average penalty of $3,722)
  • and scaffolding (1,842 citations and an average penalty of $3,604). 

• The highest OSHA penalty ever issued to a single contractor was $8.35 million, levied against O&G Industries, Inc. in 2010¹⁴.

Key Takeaway

Workplace incidents in construction lead to billions in annual costs from lost time, worker absences, and penalties, highlighting the financial strain caused by injuries and fatalities. These factors significantly impact overall productivity and emphasize the need for better incident prevention and compliance efforts.

Who’s Most at Risk from Construction Safety Hazards?

1. “Focus Four” Hazards in Construction

Construction has consistently been one of the most dangerous U.S. industries, with over 1,000 fatalities annually since 2016. Two-thirds of these deaths result from “Construction Focus Four” hazards: falls to lower levels, struck-by incidents, electrocutions, and caught-in/between injuries.

• From 2011 through 2020, “Focus Four” hazards accounted for 65% of fatal injuries and 40% of nonfatal injuries in construction¹⁸.
• Fatal injuries caused by “Focus Four” hazards have remained high over the years, with falls to lower levels accounting for the majority, peaking at 401 deaths in 2019 and 397 in 2022¹⁹.
• Struck-by incidents (157 in 2022), electrocutions (62 in 2022), and caught-in/between injuries (60 in 2022) also contribute significantly to construction fatalities¹⁹. 
• From 2011 through 2020, struck-by injuries accounted for 53.1% of nonfatal Focus Four cases and 21.5% of all nonfatal injuries¹⁸. 

a. Falls

Falls in construction are categorized using OIICS codes, with falls to a lower level (code 43) involving impacts from elevated surfaces, falls on the same level (code 42) involving no elevation difference, and falls, slips, and trips (code 4) covering all fall-related incidents, including slips and trips without a fall or curtailed by arrest devices. 

• The construction industry has reported an average of over 300 fatal and 20,000 nonfatal fall-related injuries each year since 2013²⁰. 
• Falls to a lower level accounted for 95.1% of fatal and 50.2% of nonfatal falls, slips, and trips in 2020²⁰.
• 20% of all workplace deaths in 2022 occurred in construction, with 38.4% of construction-industry fatalities caused by falls, slips, and trips²¹. 
• Construction also represented 47.4% of all fatal falls, slips, and trips across industries in 2022²¹. 
• In 2023, falls, slips, and trips were the leading cause of construction fatalities, accounting for 39.2% or 421 deaths². 
• In 2023, most fatal falls to a lower level in construction occurred from heights of 6 to 30 feet (64.4%, or 260 deaths), with 67 falls from over 30 feet².
• Portable ladders and stairs were involved in 109 fatalities in 2023². 
• Construction laborers experienced the highest number of fatal falls, slips, and trips in 2023, with 116 fatalities, followed by roofers and carpenters¹⁷.
• Nonfatal workplace falls, slips, and trips requiring at least one day away from work occurred at an annualized rate of 31.5 per 10,000 full-time workers in construction during 2021 and 2022, compared to 22.6 across all private industries²¹. 
• Falls to a lower level occurred at a rate of 13.9 in construction, significantly higher than the private industry average of 4.6²¹. 

b. Struck-By

Struck hazards are classified as “struck-by,” where an object strikes the worker (e.g., trucks, cranes), or “struck-against,” where the worker strikes an object (e.g., a carpet kicker). 

Most struck injuries result from struck-by incidents, while only a few struck-against incidents were fatal.

• Nearly half (47.1%) of struck-by fatalities in construction involved transport vehicles like trucks, while 26.5% were caused by falling objects or equipment²².
• Handheld objects or equipment caused the highest proportion of nonfatal struck-by injuries in construction at 37%, followed by falling objects or equipment at 28.3%²².
• Between 2011 and 2019, the number of nonfatal struck-by injuries grew 13.7%, peaking at 20,500 injuries in 2016. By contrast, the number of nonfatal struck-against injuries declined by 24.5% during the same period, reaching the highest point in 2015 with 6,200 injuries²². 

c. Electrocution

Electrocution is one of the leading causes of fatalities in electrical construction and other trades. According to CPWR’s Exposure Control Technologies Research group, the riskiest electrical tasks include pulling cables, performing maintenance, and working on energized equipment, among others. 

• From 2011 to 2020, the construction industry accounted for 49.1% (737) of the 1,501 fatal occupational electrical injuries in the United States²³.
• Nonfatal electrical injuries totaled 19,900 across all industries from 2011 to 2020, with 24.4% (4,900) occurring in the construction industry²³. 
• Fatal electrical injuries in construction were more often caused by direct exposure (58.8%) than indirect exposure²³. Direct exposure means direct contact; indirect involves a conductor.
• Most direct (65.0%) and indirect (87.4%) injuries involve voltages greater than 220 volts, such as overhead power lines²³.
• Specialty trade contractors accounted for the majority (71.1%) of fatal electrical injuries in construction from 2011 to 2020, with 524 deaths²³.

d. Caught-In or -Between

Caught-in/between hazards happen when a worker gets squeezed, crushed, or caught in machinery, equipment, or collapsing materials on a construction site. 

• More than two-thirds (68.6%) of caught-in/between fatalities from 2011 to 2015 resulted from being caught or crushed in collapsing materials²⁴.
• Among 189 construction fatalities caused by collapsing materials, 52.4% (99 deaths) were due to collapsing structures or equipment like walls or cranes, while 40.7% (77 deaths) resulted from excavation or trench cave-ins²⁴.
• 38.6% of construction fatalities caused by collapsing materials often occurred in confined spaces like trenches or underground vaults²⁴.
• Construction laborers experienced the highest number of fatal caught-in/between injuries among construction occupations from 2011 to 2015, with 122 deaths²⁴.
• Approximately 93% of nonfatal caught-in/between injuries in construction from 2011 to 2015 were caused by equipment or objects²⁴.

Key Takeaway

“Focus Four” hazards—falls, struck-by incidents, electrocutions, and caught-in/between injuries—are responsible for the majority of construction fatalities and a significant share of nonfatal injuries. These hazards highlight persistent risks that require targeted interventions to reduce their devastating impact on worker safety and productivity.

Other Key Construction Safety Hazards

Beyond the well-known dangers of falls and equipment accidents, construction workers face a range of other serious hazards that can cause long-term health issues and even fatalities. From transportation incidents and trench collapses to excessive noise, heat exposure, and airborne toxins, these risks add another layer of urgency to workplace safety efforts.

a. Transportation Incidents

• Roadway incidents involving motorized vehicles consistently accounted for most fatal transportation injuries in construction²⁵.
• Nonfatal transportation incidents in construction were also caused by roadway incidents involving motorized vehicles, with annual cases ranging from 2,020 to 2,750 between 2011 and 2020²⁵.

b. Trenching and Excavation

Trenching is a specific type of excavation, defined as a narrow ground opening less than 15 feet wide at the bottom and generally deeper than standard excavations. 

Portions of excavations reduced to 15 feet or less must be treated as trenches and reinforced under OSHA’s 29 CFR 1926.652, with exceptions for certain home foundation excavations.

Failing to install trench protection systems or conduct proper inspections exposes workers to severe hazards, including the risk of being buried under soil weighing up to 3,000 pounds per cubic yard, comparable to the weight of a compact car. 

• Over 80% of all trenching fatalities from 2003 to 2017 occurred in construction²⁶.
• Fatal trenching injuries in construction increased by 46.2% from 2011 to 2021, rising from 13 to 19 deaths annually²⁶.
• During the same period, construction accounted for 85.4% of all trenching fatalities, with an average fatality rate of 0.18 per 100,000 full-time workers²⁶.
• Nearly 90% (89.7%) of nonfatal trenching injuries from 2011 to 2022 occurred in the construction industry²⁶.

c. Excessive Noise

Occupational hearing loss is the most common work-related illness in the U.S., significantly affecting quality of life. Construction workers are frequently exposed to excessive noise, making them highly susceptible to noise-induced hearing loss and tinnitus.

• Hazardous noise exposure affects 51% of construction workers, yet 52% of those workers report not wearing hearing protection²⁷. 
• Approximately 14% of construction workers have hearing difficulty and 7% experience tinnitus²⁷. 
• 25% of noise-exposed tested workers have material hearing impairment, with 16% having impairment in both ears²⁷. 
• Hearing impairment and tinnitus increase significantly with age among construction workers, with nearly 95% of workers over 85 experiencing hearing impairment²⁸. 
• In the typical retirement age group (56–65), 56% have some degree of hearing impairment²⁸.
• Construction trade workers are significantly more likely to experience hearing impairment (57%) than workers in administrative, security, or scientific roles (41%)²⁸.
• Boilermakers (66%) and carpenters (65%) are the construction trades workers most likely to experience hearing impairment²⁸.

d. RCS (Respirable Crystalline Silica)

Respirable crystalline silica is a fine dust created when construction materials like sand, stone, concrete, or brick are cut, ground, or crushed. 

Inhalation of these particles can lead to silicosis, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and kidney disease, often after prolonged exposure.

Construction workers are exposed to respirable crystalline silica during tasks like using masonry saws, grinders, jackhammers, and crushing machines; operating drilling rigs and heavy equipment; and performing abrasive blasting, demolition, and tunneling.

• Around two million construction workers are exposed to respirable crystalline silica across more than 600,000 workplaces²⁹.

e. Excessive Heat

Construction work often exposes workers to excessive heat from physical labor, outdoor environments, non-climate-controlled spaces, direct sunlight, and heat-generating equipment like welding torches and asphalt machines. All of these increase their risk for heat-related illnesses (HRIs).

Heat stress occurs when a worker’s exposure to heat from physical activity, environmental factors, and clothing increases the body’s heat storage, known as net heat load. Heat strain is the body’s physiological response to heat stress, attempting to maintain a stable temperature by increasing heat loss.

Heat stress can result in unrelieved heat strain, increasing the risk of heat-related illnesses (HRIs) like heat stroke, heat exhaustion, fainting, heat cramps, and heat rash. 

Exertional heat stroke, unlike classic heat stroke, can occur even in cooler conditions when protective clothing prevents adequate heat dissipation. Sweating is often present in exertional cases but absent in classic cases. 

Excessive heat is also linked to construction accidents and even fatalities. Injuries on hot construction sites can result from impaired thinking, dizziness, slippery hands, slowed response time, muscle fatigue, and obstructed vision from clouded eyewear.

• Construction workers accounted for 285 heat-related deaths between 1992 and 2016, representing more than one-third of all U.S. occupational heat exposure fatalities during the period³⁰. 
• Nearly 1 in 5 contractors reported a heat-related illness or injury at their company within the past three years, from 2020 to 2023³¹. 
• Approximately 75% of heat-related fatalities in construction occurred in June, July, or August³⁰. 
• Research in Washington state found a 0.5% increase in traumatic injury risk for every 1°C rise in daily maximum humidex, a measure combining temperature and humidity³⁰. 

Key Takeaway

Construction workers face diverse hazards beyond the “Focus Four,” including transportation incidents, trenching, noise exposure, respirable crystalline silica, and excessive heat. These risks contribute to significant fatalities and injuries, emphasizing the importance of targeted safety measures, such as proper trench reinforcement, hearing protection, dust control, and heat stress management, to protect workers’ health and lives.

Who Has the Highest Risk of Construction Injuries?

Not all construction workers face the same level of risk—some groups are significantly more vulnerable to workplace injuries and fatalities than others. Understanding these disparities is key to improving safety measures and reducing preventable deaths across the industry.

a. Workplace Risk Exposure

Construction work comes with unique hazards that expose workers to some of the most dangerous conditions in any industry. From extreme environments to high-risk tasks, these daily challenges make safety a top concern for both workers and employers.

• Construction workers reported the highest average exposure to workplace risks of any industry, which includes work at heights (82%), thermal stress (80%), and heavy equipment operation (79%)¹⁵. 
• Employers in construction also expressed higher concern about workplace fatalities (81%) compared to other industries (61%-76%)¹⁵. 

b. Small vs. Large Construction Businesses

Smaller construction businesses face a disproportionately higher number of workplace fatalities, highlighting potential gaps in safety resources, training, and enforcement compared to larger companies.

• Small construction businesses with fewer than 20 employees have reported the highest number of workplace deaths since 2003. In 2016 alone, they reported 471 deaths, which accounted for 67.2% of fatalities among wage-and-salary workers in construction¹⁶.
• Interestingly, small construction businesses also account for more employment than those with 20-99 workers or 100+ employees,  employing 36.9% of all construction workers¹⁶.
• By contrast, construction businesses with 20-99 employees only reported 132 deaths (or 18.8% of total fatalities). Large companies with 100+ employees, which employed 29.5% of workers, recorded the lowest fatalities at 98 or 14% of total deaths¹⁶.

c. High-Risk Roles

Some construction roles come with significantly higher risks than others, with certain trades seeing the majority of industry fatalities. The following data underscores the specific dangers these workers face, particularly from falls—the leading cause of death on job sites.

• In 2023, construction trades workers (electricians, plumbers, etc.) accounted for the majority of construction industry fatalities (809), with falls (351) being the leading cause¹⁷.
• Construction laborers accounted for the highest number of fatalities among construction trades workers with 318 deaths, followed by roofers (113 deaths) and carpenters (87 deaths)¹⁷. 

d. Growing Risks for Hispanic Construction Workers

As the construction workforce becomes more diverse, some groups are experiencing a sharp rise in workplace fatalities. The following data reveals a troubling trend that raises concerns about safety training, language barriers, and access to protective resources.

• Between 2011 and 2023, the number of Hispanic construction workers increased by 1.8 million, compared to a 1.0 million increase among non-Hispanic workers⁶. 
• Approximately 3 out of every 10 (30%) construction workers in the U.S. identify as Hispanic³².
• From 2011 to 2022, fatal injuries among Hispanic construction workers increased by 107.1% (versus 16.5% for non-Hispanic workers)⁶. 
• Hispanic workers accounted for 37.5% of all construction fatalities in 2022⁶.

Key Takeaway

Small construction businesses and trades workers face the highest fatality risks, with falls as the leading cause. Meanwhile, Hispanic worker fatalities have surged 107.1% since 2011, now making up 37.5% of deaths, underscoring the need for targeted safety initiatives. Prioritizing fall protection, enhanced multilingual safety training, and stricter oversight in small firms can help mitigate these risks.

Wrapping Up

Construction exposes workers to more safety hazards than other industries, so business owners should always be on the lookout for updates and innovations designed to make their job sites safer for everyone. 

As one OSHA official puts it, “A good job is a safe job.” 

Based on the data presented here, investing in safety protects workers and the profitability of each construction project. This should incentivize companies not just in the highest-risk states like Texas, Florida, and California but anywhere in the U.S. to involve all members of construction crews in building a stronger safety culture in their workplaces. 

To easily incorporate safety practices into your team’s daily operations, you can leverage construction management apps like Workyard. 

With Workyard’s time card sign-off feature, your workers can report injuries and ensure safety compliance at every clock out. Prompt hazard reporting enables managers to document incidents and implement preventive measures accordingly. 

See how Workyard can help foster transparency and ensure safety compliance no matter where your crew works.

References

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