Construction Industry Safety Statistics Fact-Checked 2026

construction incidents

There were three other employees on the platform at the time of the failure, but they were able to hang onto the railing and the net, and were rescued. The platform was supported on structural framing resting on the 19th floor concrete slab and on the underside of the 20th floor slab. A steep excavated slope, more than 40 foot high suddenly collapsed. The project, 40,000 square foot retail and office complex with two levels of parking, was in the first phase of construction, i.e., excavation and site stabilization, when the incident occurred. At the time of the incident concrete was being poured on the 6th level. The incident occurred during the construction of a five-story poured-in-place concrete parking garage.

The project consisted of https://alstatenews.com/we-are-building-a-wooden-house.html construction of a one-story Goodwill Retail Store, approximately 170 ft. wide x 180 ft. long. While the gin pole, approximately 40 ft. tall was being raised, the rigging of the gin pole block suddenly failed, killing two workers located on the tower. The parking garage was being constructed as a part of a larger project to construct new rental apartment buildings. On November 13, 2013 an incident occurred at the construction site of a parking garage in Ft.

3.6 nonfatal injuries per 100 construction workers occurred in 2022 There are jobsite hazards that not only are hard to recognize, but also are sometimes the result of trying to work more efficiently and safely. Halloween may be about spooky fun, but for construction workers, the fear is real. On June 6, 2024, a construction worker was killed and another critically injured after falling nine stories from scaffolding at the University of Chicago Medicine’s new cancer research center.

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The leading causes of these fatalities included being struck by objects or equipment, transportation incidents, and falls to a lower level. Providing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), such as supportive footwear and back braces, offers additional support during physically demanding tasks. Additionally, maintaining clear communication among team members and establishing exclusion zones can further mitigate risks, fostering a safer demolition environment Self-employed construction workers had 6.1 nonfatal incidents per 100 in 2022 1.8 million construction workers are exposed to noise yearly globally

  • At the time of the collapse, concrete was being poured on the metal deck to provide the walking surface.
  • The crews were installing the formwork tables on the 15th level.
  • The collar was positioned around the just “jumped” tower sections and was to be laterally tied to the building under construction to provide lateral support to the crane mast.
  • The last span of the Herbert C. Bonner Bridge (Bonner Bridge) under demolition collapsed in Dare County, North Carolina.
  • Across the U.S., construction workers face real dangers every day when safety rules are ignored.
  • The scaffold, approximately 17 feet long and 15 feet wide, was attached to the building and was being used to transfer materials into the building.
  • Sometimes, the scariest things on a job site are the bad habits that creep in when people cut corners, rush through checks, or think accidents only happen to someone else.
  • Regular maintenance and inspection of machinery can identify potential hazards before they lead to incidents.
  • The building was being used as a warehouse and a commercial parking garage.
  • Miami-Dade College (MDC) decided to demolish the parking garage involved in 2012 incident and to build a new structure.

These accidents commonly occur when workers are operating at height, such as on scaffolding, ladders, or roofs, and fail to use adequate fall protection measures. We still publish when the source is credible, but treat the figure as provisional until additional paths confirm it. Chemical exposure caused 5% of construction fatalities in 2023 Moisture/mold caused 9% of indoor construction incidents in 2022 Heat stress contributed to 3% of heat-related deaths in construction in 2022 The NSC estimates 1,000+ construction deaths annually in the U.S.

Preventing Struck-by Incidents with the Hierarchy of Controls

construction incidents

Regular maintenance and inspection of machinery can identify potential hazards before they lead to incidents. Fires and explosions are among the most devastating workplace incidents, leading to significant loss of life, injuries, and property damage. Encouraging the use of appropriate footwear with non-slip soles and conducting regular safety audits can further mitigate risks. These incidents often occur in scenarios such as wet or oily surfaces, uneven flooring, loose mats or rugs, and cluttered walkways. A https://hollanderhomes.com/building-frame-houses-trust-a-professional.html layered approach ensures that hazards are addressed at their source while also preparing workers to respond safely in potentially dangerous situations.

Vehicle Accidents

The 1965-foot high -KDUH-TV antenna tower was under contract to replace certain tower diagonals and struts to support a new high-definition TV antenna and other equipment. As the grout bags were placed on the cantilever section, the scaffold suddenly failed, causing the employees to fall into the water. Four employees were placing grout bags and other materials on the cantilever section of the scaffold at the Hathaway Bridge construction site in Panama City, FL.

  • Crush injuries like this remain one of the leading causes of death around heavy equipment.
  • 58% of construction fatalities in 2023 were from struck-by objects
  • In late 2023, a 31-year-old steel erector died after falling about 12 feet onto a concrete slab while walking across steel purlins at a job site in Arcadia, Florida.
  • The excavation was done for the construction of a 12-story office building with four levels of underground parking.
  • Four employees were placing grout bags and other materials on the cantilever section of the scaffold at the Hathaway Bridge construction site in Panama City, FL.
  • A mast climbing platform partially collapsed at a 21-story concrete framed condominium building under construction.

construction incidents

Out of the 345 deaths caused by falls in 2023, 96 of them were in the construction industry more than any https://labverra.com/articles/understanding-steel-bar-sizes-guide/ other. 2019 recorded over 1030 deaths due to falls, slips, and trips on construction sites. Specialty trade contractors happened to be the most dangerous niche for construction, with the most deaths recorded in 2018, 2020, and 2021.BLS The most devastating year for construction was 2021, with almost 10 deaths per year, up from the previous year’s 9-9.6 deaths per year ratio.