35+ Construction Safety Statistics & Injury Numbers (2024)
Construction safety is a critical concern for workers’ well-being in a hazardous and risky industry. But just how often do these hazards result in injuries or fatalities on the construction jobsite?
With that in mind, we will go over key construction safety statistics and injury statistics that show the importance of safety measures in the construction industry.
Construction Safety Statistics: Key Numbers
- Approximately 1,092 construction workers died on the job in 2022, an increase from 1,015 in 2021.
- 65% of construction deaths linked to ‘Focus Four’ hazards.
- Construction injuries cost $11.5 billion, including $4 billion in fatalities (40%) and $7 billion in nonfatal injuries.
- 81% of construction worker emergency room fall injuries are ladder-related.
- 40% of ladder injuries were caused by the ladder moving.
- An estimated 1.85 million construction workers are exposed to silica dust.
- 22% of ladder injuries involved the arm, elbow, or shoulder.
- Proper safety eyewear could prevent 90% of eye injuries, protecting thousands of workers each year.
Source: (CPWR, Lock Jaw Ladder Grip, CDC, NCBI, Elcosh)
Construction Injury Statistics
Construction sites continue to be high-risk environments, with injury rates disproportionately affecting certain groups. Here are the key figures showing the risks they face:
- Nearly 8,000 construction workers suffered head injuries in 2018, with 230 deaths.
- Over 1 million construction workers are treated in emergency rooms for hand injuries.
- Small construction companies (<20 employees) have 2.5 times the risk of TBI-related fatalities compared to larger companies (≥100 employees).
- Older workers (≥65 years) have a nearly 4X higher risk of fatal TBI compared to younger workers (25-34 years).
Source: (CPWR, CDC)
Construction Worker Deaths Statistics
Fatalities in the construction industry continue to be alarmingly high despite efforts to improve safety on-site. Here’s what the latest data reveals about worker deaths:
- 65% of construction deaths linked to ‘Focus Four’ hazards.
- Approximately 1,092 construction workers died on the job in 2022, up from 1,015 in 2021.
- 423 construction workers died in 2022 as a result of falls, slips, and trips, an increase of 1.8% from the previous year.
- Construction was responsible for 47.4% of all fatal falls, slips, and trips in 2022.
- Every year, 1% of construction workers die on the job, the highest rate of any industry.
- Nearly 20% of workplace deaths in 2021 were in construction.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, CPWR
Construction Eye Injury Statistics
Eye injuries on construction sites are more common than you might think, and many could be avoided with better safety measures. Below are important stats that highlight just how serious the issue is:
- In 2021, construction workers suffered 2,470 eye-related injuries or illnesses.
- 31.1% of eye injury and illness cases involved construction workers.
- Construction accounts for approximately 20% of occupational eye injuries.
- Proper safety eyewear could prevent 90% of eye injuries and protect thousands of workers annually.
Construction Ladder Injury Statistics
Ladders are essential in construction, but they also contribute to a large number of worksite injuries and fatalities each year. Here are some important statistics about ladder-related incidents in the industry:
- Ladders caused 161 fatal work injuries in 2020, down 5.8% from 2019.1
- 5,370 ladder injuries occurred in construction alone in 2020.3
- 81% of construction worker emergency room fall injuries are ladder-related..4
- Approximately 40% of ladder accidents involved an extension ladder. 2
- Over 164,000 ladder fall injuries are treated in emergency rooms annually. 4
Source: (BLS, University of South Florida, Occupational Health & Safety, Lock Jaw Ladder Grip)
Causes of Ladder Injuries: A Breakdown
Here’s a detailed look at the common causes that contribute to these accidents, according to CDC:
- 40% of ladder injuries were caused by the ladder moving.
- 24% were due to foot misses or slips.
- 18% were caused by losing balance.
- 4% were due to the ladder breaking.
- 4% were from being struck by an object.
- 3% of causes were unknown or refused to state.
- 2% were due to the surface moving.
- 1% were caused by losing handgrip.
- 4% were attributed to other causes.
Source: (CDC)
Body Parts Injured Due To Ladder Falls Statistics
Falling off a ladder often leads to injuries in different parts of the body, with some areas getting hurt more often. Here’s what the data from the Elcosh shows.
- 22% of injuries affected the arm/elbow/shoulder.
- 17% of injuries involved the head/neck/face.
- 14% of injuries impacted the lower trunk.
- 13% of injuries involved the ankle/foot/toe.
- 12% of injuries affected the leg or knee.
- 11% of injuries involved the wrist/hand/finger.
- 10% of injuries impacted the upper trunk.
- 1% of injuries involved all body parts.
Source: Elcosh
Construction Injury Costs Statistics
Construction accidents have massive financial consequences for both businesses and workers. Here’s a closer look at the costs businesses face from these accidents:
- Construction injuries cost $11.5 billion, with $4 billion in fatalities (40%) and $7 billion in nonfatal injuries.
- Workers’ compensation claims for nonfatal falls in construction cost $2.5 billion annually.
- Construction injury rates are 71% higher than the average for all industries.
- Construction workers had a 2.2% absence rate due to injury or illness in 2023.
- $3.56 billion (33.8%) of total workers’ compensation costs for non-fatal claims are due to falls to a lower level.
- $2.21 billion (21%) of costs are due to overexertion involving outside sources.
- $1.40 billion (13.2%) of costs are due to being struck by objects or equipment.
- $0.99 billion (9.4%) of costs are due to falls on the same level.
- $0.67 billion (6.4%) of costs are due to other exertions or bodily reactions.
Source: (NCBI, Claris Design Build, BLS, Liberty Mutual)
Construction Site Fire Statistics
Construction sites are prone to dangerous fires resulting in serious damage and fatalities. Here are the most notable statistics from the National Fire Protection Association:
- On average, estimated 4,440 fires in structures under construction per year between (2017-2021).
- On average, the fire killed 5 civilians, injured 59 civilians, and caused $370 million in direct property damage.
- 19% of construction site fires and civilian injuries were caused by cooking equipment.
- 19% of fires and civilian injuries on construction sites were caused by cooking equipment.
- 15% of fires, but 46% of property damage, were due to electrical equipment.
- 14% of fires and 39% of property damage were caused by heating equipment.
- 8% of fires and 45% of property damage were due to intentional causes.
- 2% of fires, with 1% resulting in injuries and property damage, were caused by smoking materials.
Source: (National Fire Protection Association)
Construction Dust Statistics
Construction dust is a major source of both health and environmental pollution, and statistics show how widespread these issues are. Here’s what the numbers say about the dangers of construction dust:
- An estimated 1.85 million construction workers are exposed to silica dust.
- It is estimated that over 300 construction workers die each year due to silica dust exposure.
- Respiratory dust loading ranged between 0.03 and 220.27 mg/m3, with a 71.42% exceedance rate.
- Total dust concentrations in construction sites can range from 0.07 to 335.27 mg/m3.
- Construction activities cause 50% landfill pollution, 50% climate change pollution, 40% drinking water pollution, and 23% air pollution.
Source: (NCBI, California Department of Industrial Relations, ResearchGate, Oizom)