Compiled Data Shows Injury and Fatal Injury Rates for Construction Workers
Data reveals that almost 1,034 construction workers lost their lives in 2020 to fatal injuries at work.
- By Alex Saurman
- Jun 15, 2022
A new report shows the injury and fatal injury rate for construction workers.
The Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR) published the data in May 2022. This data was compiled from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and outlines nonfatal injury data from the private sector and fatal injury data from all sectors.
According to the data, in 2020, 1,034 construction workers lost their lives to work incidents. Of these fatalities, 58 percent of workers were specialty trade contractors.
The top event that led to fatal injuries was falls, slips and trips. These incidents resulted in 376 injuries. Of the 376, 358 were from falls to a lower level. The second event with the highest fatal injury rate was transportation incidents at 273.
Nonfatal injuries resulting in days away from work reached a 2nd-year low in 2020 since 2011. In 2020, about 74,500 workers were injured at work, tying with 2014. The other year where this was lower was in 2011 when 73,6000 workers were injured.
Similar to fatal injuries, specialty trade contractors had the highest rate of nonfatal injury, over 67 percent.
The event that resulted in the most nonfatal injuries from 2018-2020 was contact with objects and equipment. About 25,000 workers were injured from this, and 15,200 were injured from struck-by incidents.
To view the data, read the report.
About the Author
Alex Saurman is a former Content Editor for Occupational Health & Safety,who has since joined OH&S’s client services team. She continues to work closely with OH&S’s editorial team and contributes to the magazine.