Workplace Safety Statistics in 2024

Overall Injury and Fatality Rates in Construction

The construction industry remains one of the most hazardous in the United States. In 2023, there were 1,075 construction worker fatalities, the highest annual total for the sector since 2011 (Construction fatalities hit highest number since 2011 | Construction Dive). This represents roughly one out of every five work-related deaths across all industries (Construction fatalities hit highest number since 2011 | Construction Dive) (Construction fatalities hit highest number since 2011 | Construction Dive). The fatality rate in construction was about 9.6 deaths per 100,000 full-time workers in 2023, essentially unchanged from the prior year (also 9.6) (Construction fatalities hit highest number since 2011 | Construction Dive). By comparison, the average fatality rate for all U.S. workers was much lower (3.5 per 100,000 in 2023) (Construction fatalities hit highest number since 2011 | Construction Dive), highlighting the disproportionate risk in construction. In fact, construction’s fatal injury rate consistently ranks among the highest of any industry – in 2023 it was third behind only agriculture (20.3) and transportation/warehousing (12.9) (Construction fatalities hit highest number since 2011 | Construction Dive).

Nonfatal injury rates in construction, while high, have been gradually improving. For 2023, private construction employers reported an injury incidence rate of 2.2 recordable cases per 100 full-time workers, slightly lower than the 2.3 rate in 2022 (Employer-Reported Workplace Injuries and Illnesses - 2023). (This rate counts any work injury/illness case that must be recorded, per OSHA criteria.) In total, about 167,600 injury cases were recorded in the construction sector in 2023 (up just a bit from 164,700 cases in 2022) (Employer-Reported Workplace Injuries and Illnesses - 2023). This suggests that even as construction activity grew, the risk of injury per worker continued a downward trend, reaching one of the lowest levels on record. By comparison, the overall private industry injury rate was 2.4 per 100 workers in 2023 (Employer-Reported Workplace Injuries and Illnesses - 2023), meaning construction’s nonfatal injury rate is now close to the all-industry average. However, construction injuries are often severe – nearly 1% of construction workers each year suffer an injury serious enough to miss work (41 Construction Safety Statistics for 2024 | BigRentz).

Common Types of Construction-Related Accidents

(41 Construction Safety Statistics for 2024 | BigRentz) Leading Accident Causes (“Fatal Four”): The construction industry’s top causes of fatalities are often referred to as the “Fatal Four” hazards – falls, struck-by injuries, electrocutions, and caught-in/between incidents. Together, these four accident types account for well over half of all construction worker deaths (41 Construction Safety Statistics for 2024 | BigRentz). Falls from heights are by far the leading cause of construction fatalities, representing roughly 39% of construction deaths in recent years (Construction fatalities hit highest number since 2011 | Construction Dive). In 2023 alone, there were 421 fatal falls (including falls from roofs, scaffolds, ladders, etc.), about two out of every five construction fatalities (Construction fatalities hit highest number since 2011 | Construction Dive). Other major causes include:

• Struck-by Objects/Equipment: Being hit by moving vehicles, falling tools or materials, or swinging equipment is the second-leading cause of construction deaths, responsible for roughly 15% of fatal injuries (41 Construction Safety Statistics for 2024 | BigRentz). These incidents range from workers struck by cranes or trucks to tools or debris falling from heights.
• Electrocutions: Contact with live electrical lines or equipment accounts for about 7% of construction fatalities (41 Construction Safety Statistics for 2024 | BigRentz). This includes incidents like touching overhead power lines, faulty wiring, or improper use of electrical tools leading to deadly shocks.
• Caught-In/Between: Incidents where workers are crushed or trapped (for example, in collapsing trenches, between heavy machinery, or under falling walls/materials) make up roughly 5% of construction deaths (41 Construction Safety Statistics for 2024 | BigRentz). These “caught-in/between” accidents – such as trench cave-ins – are less frequent than falls or struck-by events but are often catastrophic when they do occur.

In addition to the “Fatal Four,” transportation-related accidents are also a significant hazard on construction sites. In 2023, about 22% of construction fatalities were from transportation incidents (for example, highway crashes involving construction vehicles or workers struck in work zones) (Construction fatalities hit highest number since 2011 | Construction Dive). Construction workers also face dangers from exposure to harmful substances or environments, which contributed to roughly 19% of construction deaths in 2023 (Construction fatalities hit highest number since 2011 | Construction Dive). This category includes hazards like toxic chemical exposures, lack of oxygen in confined spaces, extreme heat, and even on-site drug overdoses or other environmental factors. (Notably, a portion of these were electrocutions, which fall under this exposure category as well.) Finally, a smaller share of fatalities (just a few percent) result from fires and explosions or workplace violence on construction sites (Construction fatalities hit highest number since 2011 | Construction Dive). The dominance of the “Fatal Four” hazards has been consistent year after year – eliminating these would save an estimated nearly 600 workers’ lives annually (41 Construction Safety Statistics for 2024 | BigRentz) – so they remain a primary focus of safety programs.

Trends Compared to Previous Years

Fatalities: The trend in construction fatalities has been worrying. After a dip in 2020 (due in part to pandemic-related slowdowns), fatal injuries have risen. From 2021 to 2022, construction deaths increased by about 5%, from 1,015 up to 1,069 fatalities (Construction industry fatalities rose in 2022 - National Roofing Contractors Association). The fatal injury rate also edged up from 9.4 to 9.6 per 100,000 workers over that period (Construction industry fatalities rose in 2022 - National Roofing Contractors Association). 2016 was the last year with under 1,000 construction fatalities; since then, over 1,000 workers have died on the job each year in this sector (). The preliminary 2023 data showing 1,075 deaths indicates that the level of risk remains very high (Construction fatalities hit highest number since 2011 | Construction Dive). In fact, despite advances in safety, the construction fatality rate has hovered around 10 per 100,000 workers for over a decade (Construction fatalities hit highest number since 2011 | Construction Dive), showing little sustained improvement in reducing deaths. By contrast, overall workplace fatalities across all industries fell about 3.7% in 2023 (Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries - 2023) – yet construction’s toll did not decline, underscoring a persistent problem. One positive note is that the fatality rate has not worsened in recent years; it plateaued in 2022–2023 even as construction employment grew, which means the risk per worker stayed roughly flat instead of increasing (Construction fatalities hit highest number since 2011 | Construction Dive). But the long-term lack of progress at bringing fatalities down further is a notable concern and focus for regulators and industry leaders.

Injuries: On the other hand, nonfatal injury trends have shown gradual improvement. The total recordable injury rate in construction has declined significantly over the past decade, reaching 2.2 per 100 workers in 2023 (Employer-Reported Workplace Injuries and Illnesses - 2023) – a record low for the industry. This continues a long-term downward trend attributed to better training, technology, and safety management. Interestingly, the number of reported injury cases in construction actually ticked up slightly from 2022 to 2023 (from 169,600 to 173,200 cases) (Employer-Reported Workplace Injuries and Illnesses - 2023). This divergence (higher case counts but lower rate) likely reflects an expanding workforce or improved reporting, rather than a deterioration in safety. In fact, when adjusted for the growing number of workers and hours worked, the risk of a recordable injury per worker is lower now than in years past. It’s worth noting that 2020–2021 saw a spike in reported workplace illnesses (due to COVID-19), but by 2023 work-related illness cases had dropped sharply (down 56% from 2022) (Employer-Reported Workplace Injuries and Illnesses - 2023) (Employer-Reported Workplace Injuries and Illnesses - 2023). This drove the overall injury/illness totals down across industries. Removing the noise of pandemic illness data, construction’s injury incidence has been on a steady downward trajectory, indicating improvements in safety practices for preventing many nonfatal incidents. However, under-reporting remains a challenge – surveys indicate over 25% of construction workers may not report a work injury due to job security fears or other reasons (41 Construction Safety Statistics for 2024 | BigRentz) (41 Construction Safety Statistics for 2024 | BigRentz). Increased reporting accuracy could initially make injury stats appear higher even if the underlying rate is stable or falling.

Demographics and other trends: Another notable trend is the demographic makeup of construction injuries and fatalities. A disproportionate number of construction deaths involve Hispanic and Latino workers, many of them foreign-born (Construction fatalities hit highest number since 2011 | Construction Dive). In 2022, for example, 316 of the 792 fatally injured foreign-born Hispanic workers in the U.S. were working in construction (41 Construction Safety Statistics for 2024 | BigRentz). Older workers (age 55-64) also account for a large share of fatal injuries in construction, consistent with their higher fatality rates observed across all industries (Construction fatalities hit highest number since 2011 | Construction Dive). These patterns have prompted industry efforts to improve multilingual safety training and address the needs of an aging workforce. There is also growing recognition of factors like heat stress and opioid use affecting construction workers. Fatalities from environmental heat exposure have been on the rise – for instance, heat-related work deaths increased nearly 19% in 2022 (with 43 deaths that year attributed to environmental heat) (Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries Summary, 2022) – which is prompting new prevention efforts. Similarly, the opioid epidemic has impacted the workforce; some fatal incidents on sites are linked to overdose or impairment. In 2023, the BLS noted opioids were a contributing factor in hundreds of worker deaths across industries (Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries - 2023). These emerging issues are now part of the broader construction safety conversation, even if falls and other traumatic injuries remain the primary concern.

New Safety Regulations and Initiatives in 2023–2024

In response to these statistics and trends, regulators and the construction industry have introduced new safety measures and regulations aimed at reducing injuries and fatalities:

• Fall Protection Emphasis: Falls continue to be the number-one killer on worksites, so OSHA has kept fall prevention at the forefront. Fall protection requirements (such as guardrails, personal fall arrest systems, and hole covers) are rigorously enforced, and “Fall Protection – General Requirements” remains the most frequently cited OSHA standard in construction each year. In 2023–2024, OSHA increased outreach with events like the annual National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls (a dedicated week for training on fall hazards). There are signs of progress: OSHA reports that the number of fatal fall investigations it conducted in Fiscal Year 2024 dropped by about 19% compared to the previous year (OSHA: Death investigations down 11% in FY 2024 - Safety+Health), suggesting increased compliance or hazard awareness. Still, falls are so prevalent that OSHA is continually evaluating if further rules or technologies (like personal fall restraint systems or enhanced monitoring) could help drive the numbers down.

• Trenching and Excavation Safety: A concerning spike in trench collapse fatalities led to swift regulatory action. Trenching accidents (workers being buried in excavation cave-ins) doubled between 2021 and 2022 – 39 workers were killed in trenching work in 2022, compared to 15 the year before (US Department of Labor, state agencies, industry leaders launch campaign to educate, alert Midwest employers, workers of deadly excavation hazards | U.S. Department of Labor). In response, OSHA launched a national enforcement initiative mid-2022, increasing inspections and penalties for unsafe trench conditions. By late 2023, there were early indications of improvement: the Labor Department noted a nearly 70% decline in trench-related deaths since the 2022 surge (OSHA reports large rise in trenching fatalities, announces enhanced ...) (Department of Labor encouraged by decline in worker death ... - OSHA). OSHA has also been actively partnering with industry groups to educate contractors on trench safety (e.g. proper shoring, shielding, and sloping of excavations) (US Department of Labor, state agencies, industry leaders launch campaign to educate, alert Midwest employers, workers of deadly excavation hazards | U.S. Department of Labor) (US Department of Labor, state agencies, industry leaders launch campaign to educate, alert Midwest employers, workers of deadly excavation hazards | U.S. Department of Labor). This is a clear example of a targeted regulation and outreach campaign directly impacting a specific statistic.

• Addressing Heat Stress and Health Risks: With rising temperatures and an uptick in heat-related illnesses and fatalities in construction, OSHA in 2022 launched a National Emphasis Program on Heat. While a new federal heat illness prevention standard is still in the rulemaking process, interim guidance has increased heat safety inspections on hot days and encouraged measures like rest breaks, water, and shade for outdoor workers. Some states (California, etc.) already have heat safety rules that construction employers must follow. Additionally, growing awareness of long-term health risks (silica dust exposure, noise-induced hearing loss, opioids) has spurred action. OSHA’s existing Respirable Crystalline Silica standard for construction is being strictly enforced to prevent silicosis and lung disease, and there’s ongoing research into strengthening standards for other exposures (e.g. lower permissible limits for lead and noise in construction). While these health-focused regulations don’t immediately reduce traumatic injury numbers, they aim to improve the overall well-being and longevity of construction workers.

• Stricter Reporting and Accountability: In 2024 OSHA implemented new record-keeping requirements for larger employers in high-risk industries like construction. Companies with 100+ employees must now electronically submit detailed annual injury and illness data (Forms 300 and 301), not just summary logs (The Latest OSHA Regulations for Construction: A Comprehensive Guide for Contractors) (The Latest OSHA Regulations for Construction: A Comprehensive Guide for Contractors). This expanded reporting rule is intended to increase transparency and allow OSHA to identify and target the most unsafe job sites. Along with this, OSHA has adjusted penalties for violations – as of 2024, the maximum fine for a serious safety violation is over $16,000 and a willful or repeated violation can cost up to $160,000 (The Latest OSHA Regulations for Construction: A Comprehensive Guide for Contractors). These higher penalties (which rise with inflation) are meant to deter employers from cutting corners on safety. OSHA has also signaled it will more frequently use instance-by-instance citations for egregious hazards (like each unprotected edge or each untrained worker being a separate violation) to hold bad actors accountable. The hope is that tighter reporting and stiffer fines will push companies to invest more in safety, ultimately driving injury rates down.

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Updates: OSHA issued an update in 2023 to strengthen construction PPE standards, clarifying that employers must provide properly fitting PPE to each worker. This was partly to address that one-size-fits-all gear often doesn’t protect smaller-framed workers – for example, many women in construction reported ill-fitting harnesses or safety vests. The 2024 OSHA update emphasizes that all PPE (helmets, fall harnesses, respirators, etc.) must fit correctly and be appropriate for the hazards (The Latest OSHA Regulations for Construction: A Comprehensive Guide for Contractors) (The Latest OSHA Regulations for Construction: A Comprehensive Guide for Contractors). While this may seem like a minor rule tweak, it can significantly improve protection (a loose harness or oversized gloves, for instance, might fail to prevent an injury). Ensuring PPE fits each worker properly is expected to reduce injuries, especially as the construction workforce becomes more diverse in size and shape.

• Industry Training and Safety Culture: Beyond regulations, the industry itself has been adopting new strategies to improve safety outcomes. Many contractors are investing in enhanced safety training (OSHA 10/30-hour courses, competency training for equipment operators, etc.), and initiatives like “Safety Week” and task-specific stand-downs are becoming routine. There’s a notable trend in using technology for safety – for example, wearables that detect falls or fatigue, drones for site inspections, and 360° cameras to spot hazards – to proactively prevent accidents. Trade associations and unions have also been promoting a stronger safety culture, where workers are encouraged to speak up about hazards and near-misses. This cultural shift is hard to quantify but is aimed at sustaining the decline in injury rates and finally making a dent in the fatality rate. Notably, some improvements are already evident: the National Safety Council reported that the construction industry’s rate of preventable injuries (those not including highway crashes etc.) has slowly decreased, and a 2024 report showed a slight drop in construction worker compensation claims for injuries, indicating safer practices are taking hold (41 Construction Safety Statistics for 2024 | BigRentz) (41 Construction Safety Statistics for 2024 | BigRentz).

In summary, 2024’s construction safety statistics reflect a mix of progress and ongoing challenges. Injury rates are at historic lows, suggesting that everyday jobsite safety is improving in many areas. However, fatality rates remain stubbornly high – the worst accidents (falls, crashes, collapses, electrocutions) continue to claim over a thousand construction workers’ lives each year. The latest data and trends have spurred OSHA and the industry to respond with tougher regulations, targeted enforcement (especially on falls and trenches), and renewed emphasis on safety innovation. It will likely take sustained efforts on all these fronts to turn the corner and ensure that more construction workers make it home safely each day (Construction industry fatalities rose in 2022 - National Roofing Contractors Association).

Sources: Official data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) – including the 2023 Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries and the 2023 Survey of Occupational Injuries/Illnesses – as well as OSHA reports and industry research were used to compile these statistics (Construction fatalities hit highest number since 2011 | Construction Dive) (Employer-Reported Workplace Injuries and Illnesses - 2023) (41 Construction Safety Statistics for 2024 | BigRentz) (Construction industry fatalities rose in 2022 - National Roofing Contractors Association). These figures provide the latest snapshot (as of late 2024) of the state of construction safety in the U.S., highlighting where progress is being made and where continued vigilance is needed.