Given the hazardous nature of the people working on construction sites, construction workers are 3–4 times more likely to get fatal injuries or even die than other industries. 

The occupational hazards faced by construction workers every day are preventable. However, many accidents still result in fatal or non-fatal injuries each day. 

In this article, you'll discover:

  • How often do accidents happen in the construction industry?
  • What causes most construction site accidents?
  • How many injuries result in death?
  • How do construction companies react to these bad cases of injuries?

Let's dig into the statistics and find out!

Editor's Choice

  • Non-fatal injuries in the construction industry are 31.7% due to falls, slips, and trips.
  • 71 construction workers died due to an electrocution accident in America.
  • 2.7 per 10,000 construction workers experienced non-fatal struck-by injuries. 
  • 40–72 deaths each year are caused by accidents involving being caught or crushed between machinery or materials.
  • Construction ranks 1st with the highest recorded death rate of all US industries.
  • An increase of 28.1% in deaths related to roof assignments on construction sites.
  • A spike of 90% in the death cases of Hispanic construction workers in 2011–2019.
  • Work-related injuries and fatalities cost employers $151 billion.
  • A construction company can be penalized for an average of $13,653–$136,632.
  • Companies that adopted a safety program reduced the average number of injuries by 52%.

How Many Get Injured in Construction Yearly?

Approximately 150,000 construction workers experience an injury each year. Construction workers face many injuries on construction sites—broken arms, injured legs, head injuries, and you name it.

The following statistics show how dangerous construction work is and how frequently it happens.

Statistics on Types of Injuries in Construction Sites

The Construction Four Hazards are the typical fatal threat construction workers face daily, causing many injuries and deaths yearly.

Below are statistics showing how (1) falls, slips, and trips; (2) electrocution; (3) struck injuries; and (4) being caught in between machineries harm people working in the construction industry. 

1. Non-fatal injuries in the construction industry are 31.7% due to falls, slips, and trips.

(US Bureau of Labor Statistics)

It is typical for construction workers to get injured at their workplace. 15.7% fell from jumping to the lower level, 10.2% fell from the same level using ladders or stairs, and 4.7% fell due to slips and falls. 

You may think that falls, slips, and trips are not that serious, but when they happen on a construction site with many hazards, they generally lead to permanent injury or death.

2. 71 construction workers died due to an electrocution accident in America.

(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Direct contact with live electrical equipment or indirect contact with wiring was the primary cause of more than half of all electrocution accidents. 

Most of the electrocution victims are electricians and helpers. Some suffer temporary injuries, but others lead to permanent disability or death. 

3. 2.7 per 10,000 construction workers experienced non-fatal struck-by injuries. 

(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Construction workers have the highest rate of non-fatal struck-by injuries in all other industries. The usual causes of struck-by injuries are:

  • Solid building materials
  • Powered and non-powered hand tools
  • Waste debris

Construction workers most likely to get injured are helpers, metal sheet workers, heating and air-conditioning mechanics, and iron workers.

4. 40–72 people die annually from being caught or crushed by machinery or materials. 

(CPWR)

Caught or crushed in accidents constituted 5.4% of recorded fatal injuries in 2011–2019. Unlike Construction Focus Four, it remains consistent with the number of cases registered. Among the four, this is less likely to happen. 

The chances of getting into this accident are rare. However, this is the most deadly when it happens to a construction worker. 

Construction Death Statistics

Construction-related deaths contributed to 21% of all deaths recorded among US workers. The risk of working in the construction industry is not just one occupational hazard; there are too many to mention. 

Construction deaths account for 21% of all workplace deaths in America. See why with the help of these statistics: 

5. Construction ranks 1st with the highest recorded death rate of all US industries.

(NSC Injury Facts)

In 2021, it was recorded that the construction industry was the most dangerous and had the most deaths, with 986 recorded deaths. Following that, there was: 

  • Transportation and warehousing
  • Government 
  • Agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting

Unlike other US workers, facing occupational hazards is part of the due diligence of construction workers. 

(CPWR)

Roof-related deaths on construction sites in 2019 reached 146 cases. It's a 28.1% increase from the previous year's recorded cases, with only 114 casualties. 

One of the least favorite roles of construction workers is working at great heights, especially roofing. Falls, slips, and trips are the most frequent accidents resulting in permanent disability or death. 

7. A spike of 90% in the death cases of Hispanic construction workers from 2011–2019.

(CPWR)

Hispanic construction workers suffer more injuries and deaths than other ethnicities. It was found that most of them were assigned to more dangerous roles, such as laborers, helpers, and roofers. 

Communication challenges among supervisors, coworkers, and safety instructions contribute to the overrepresentation of Hispanic descent in construction industry deaths.

Construction Accident Statistics

The US and Canadian economies benefit from construction, employing 15% of the national workforce. An accident on construction sites generally affects everyone—the project operation, the employers, and the workers.   

The following statistics show how construction site accidents affect construction firms and employers: 

(Occupational Safety and Health Administration)

In 2018, construction companies and employers paid more than $1 billion weekly to employees who suffered a non-fatal injury or permanent disability on construction sites. 

Investing in a foul and accident-proof plan can help employers save more money than having several cases of work-related accidents.

9. A construction company can be penalized an average of $13,653-$136,632.

(Occupational Safety and Health Administration)

Companies that compromise the health and safety of their workers can be penalized with $13,653-$136,632, depending on the grounds of the violation. It is one of the policies written in the OSHA of 1970.

Employers are responsible for making workplaces safe by ensuring all employees are trained in health and safety protocols and that occupational hazards are considered in safety programs.

10. Companies that adopted a safety program reduced the average number of injuries by 52%.

(Occupational Safety and Health Administration)

Reducing the average number of injuries to 52% reduced construction project time lost by 87%.

Safety programs boost production and reduce accident time for companies. It also ensures a safe and accident-free workplace, improving project completion times. 

Key Takeaways

Undeniably, the construction industry is one of the leading causes of workplace injury and death. Some of these injuries result from management's and employers' negligence. 

When construction companies adopt a safety plan and reinforce the wearing of PPE on sites, most accidents are preventable.

It is a winning move for employers and employees, reducing the risk of getting penalized and protecting the welfare of their workers.