From towering heights to heavy machinery, and from electrical systems to exposure to harmful substances, construction workers face a wide range of dangers daily.
By Fenix Suriel
Construction remains one of the most hazardous industries in the world.
While the industry plays a critical role in infrastructure development and economic growth, the risks involved demand rigorous safety practices and robust regulatory oversight.
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Just last month, a construction worker was killed while on the job in Brooklyn. The worker was in critical condition after the roof of the building collapsed. The New York Times reported that no permits were ever filed to demolish a commercial kitchen.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, construction workers suffered more fatalities than workers in any other industry in 2023. A reported 1,075 workers in total suffered a fatal injury that year.
Who Is Hurt Most?
Although Hispanic workers only make up 17.6% of the labor force across all sectors in the United States, they represent 30% of the labor force in construction, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The private industry sector with the highest number of Hispanic or Latino worker fatalities was construction (410). Fatalities in the private construction industry sector accounted for 37.5 percent of the 839 foreign-born Hispanic or Latino worker deaths in 2023.
Common Hazards in Construction
The construction industry is inherently dangerous due to the dynamic nature of its working environments. Some of the most common and life-threatening hazards include falls, electrocution, being struck by an object, and machinery incidents.
Falls remain the leading cause of fatalities in the construction industry. According to the Texas Department of Insurance, falls were the leading cause of construction deaths in 2021. Working on scaffolding, ladders, rooftops, or open frames without proper fall protection can lead to serious injuries or death.
Construction sites are often riddled with temporary electrical setups that can be unpredictable and hazardous. Electrocution, contact with live wires, or improper grounding caused 8% of the deaths in 2021.
Approximately 5% of construction worker deaths in 2021 resulted from employees being caught in or between machines. Workers can be crushed or trapped between machinery, structures, or materials.
Safety Guidelines for Construction Workers
Associated Builders and Contractors, a national trade association representing the construction industry, has identified five prevention methods that minimize hazardous conditions and prevent injuries. These methods mitigate the risks associated with construction work. Key safety practices include:
Toolbox Talks
Toolbox talks are defined as short discussions on the jobsite. These discussions focus on safety and aim to raise awareness about specific safety concerns.
Use of Personal Protective Equipment
Enforce a written policy for personal protective equipment. Contractors should conduct an annual needs assessment and invest in new equipment.
Planning for Project Health and Safety
These discussions are more intense than toolbox talks. ABC encourages contractors to educate project supervisors and other key personnel on project safety, which aims to reduce the Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR) and Days Away, Restricted, or Transferred (DART) rate by 55%.
Health and Safety Program
A review of health and safety program performance by executive leadership that evaluates whether the program is producing expected results and identifies opportunities for improvement. According to ABC, this initiative leads to a 54% reduction in TRIR and a 57% reduction in DART rates.
Task-Specific Health and Safety Process
Establishing a process to define the scope of work, analyze hazards, develop and implement hazard control methods, perform the work within established controls, and provide feedback and continuous improvement leads to a 59% reduction in TRIR and a 60% reduction in DART rates.
In the United States, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) plays a crucial role in protecting workers through its detailed standards and regular inspections. OSHA’s construction industry standards (29 CFR Part 1926) cover a wide range of topics, including scaffolding and fall protection, electrical safety, and trenching.
In 2020, the Construction Industry Fatality Registry was established by New York State legislation, specifically Labor Law Section 44.
In the state of New York, construction workers are still waiting for Governor Kathy Hochul to sign Senate Bill 2021-S621B.
If signed, this bill will hold corporations accountable for failing to comply with protocols.
Hochul has advocated for worker safety in the past. In April, Hochul urged drivers to exercise caution when approaching work zones. “Every roadside worker deserves to return home safely at the end of their shift,” said Hochul.
In New York City, the number of new developments is on the rise. This means the construction industry continues to be one of the city’s growing industries.
The Adams administration has focused its efforts on minimizing the dangers associated with the construction sector. Although deaths in NY dropped by 30% between 2022 and 2023, the industry remains costly as injuries during the same period rose 25%.
“We know that even one death at our construction sites is unacceptable, which is why our administration will continue to implement historic safety initiatives and keep up the fight for safer construction sites across the city,” said Adams.
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