New Report Highlights High Construction Fatality Rates
While statewide deaths decreased from a 2023 peak, non-union sites and Latino workers continue to face disproportionate risks on the job.
- By Jesse Jacobs
- May 14, 2026
A new report from NYCOSH reveals that construction remains one of the state's deadliest industries, despite a slight decline in overall fatalities.
In 2024, 55 construction workers died on the job across New York State. While this figure is down from 74 deaths in 2023, the total remains among the highest recorded over the past decade. Since 2015, at least 587 construction workers have died statewide. In New York City, 19 workers died in 2024, following a record high of 30 deaths the previous year.
The report found that non-union worksites account for a disproportionate share of these tragedies. According to an analysis of OSHA investigations, 81% of workers who died in 2024 were non-union.
Demographic data also indicates an elevated risk for Latino workers. While Latino individuals make up approximately 18.6% of the state workforce, they represented 25.8% of all worker fatalities in 2024.
Environmental hazards, specifically heat stress, were also identified as significant factors. Four investigated deaths occurred when temperatures were at or above 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Data regarding oversight and enforcement showed shifts in agency activity. OSHA conducted 3,162 inspections in New York State in 2025, a 7.3% decrease from 2024. Additionally, average OSHA fines for construction fatalities dropped to $25,295 in 2024, the lowest amount recorded since 2017.
Local enforcement faces similar challenges. The New York City Department of Buildings reported a 12.6% vacancy rate as of April 2026, which is more than double the average for city agencies. Furthermore, the proposed executive budget suggests an $8.2 million reduction for the department between the 2026 and 2027 fiscal years.
About the Author
Jesse Jacobs is assistant editor of OHSOnline.com.