Every year, falls from heights claim the lives of hundreds of construction workers, making them the single deadliest hazard on job sites and highlighting a crisis that demands our immediate attention.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, falls were the leading cause of death in construction, accounting for 391 fatalities out of 1,069 total construction deaths, representing 37% of all construction fatalities.
- From 2011-2022, falls from heights caused 1,131 construction worker deaths in the U.S., averaging 103 deaths per year.
- In 2021, 395 construction workers died from falls, with 80% of those falls from roofs, ladders, or scaffolds.
- In 2022, struck-by objects caused 145 construction fatalities, 14% of total construction deaths.
- Falling objects struck workers causing 10% of construction fatalities from 2011-2022.
- Overhead power lines struck equipment in 45% of struck-by electrocution cases in construction 2018-2022.
- In 2022, caught-in/between caused 69 construction fatalities.
- Trench collapses killed 166 construction workers from 2013-2022.
- Between 2011-2021, caught-in machinery caused 45% of caught-in/between deaths.
- In 2022, electrocutions caused 72 construction worker deaths, 6.7% of total.
- Contact with overhead power lines caused 45% of construction electrocutions 2011-2022.
- From 2011-2021, 1,000 construction electrocution deaths.
- In 2022, trench collapses caused 22 construction deaths.
- From 2011-2022, 276 excavation fatalities in construction.
- Cave-ins accounted for 75% of excavation deaths 2013-2022.
Falls are the top killer in construction, highlighting a critical need for better safety measures.
Caught-in/Between
- In 2022, caught-in/between caused 69 construction fatalities.
- Trench collapses killed 166 construction workers from 2013-2022.
- Between 2011-2021, caught-in machinery caused 45% of caught-in/between deaths.
- In 2021, 74 deaths from being caught in or compressed by equipment.
- Unguarded rotating parts caught 22 workers fatally in 2020.
- OSHA cited cave-in protection 1,032 times in FY2022.
- From 2016-2020, 60% of caught-in fatalities involved trenches over 5 feet deep.
- Construction laborers had 20 caught-in deaths in 2022.
- Trench boxes reduced collapse fatalities by 90% when properly used per NIOSH.
- In 2019, 51 caught-in/between construction deaths.
- Backup alarms on equipment prevented 55% of caught-in incidents in a study.
- Helpers had caught-in rate of 10.5 per 100,000 in 2021.
- 35% of caught-in fatalities in small construction firms <11 employees 2011-2020.
- From 2003-2019, 500 caught-in deaths in residential builds.
- Pinch points on conveyors caught 15 workers in 2022.
- Lockout/tagout compliance cut caught-in injuries by 70% in intervention.
- In Florida, 28 trench collapse deaths 2011-2021.
- Auger drills caused 8 caught-in fatalities 2016-2021.
- Machine guarding training reduced incidents by 45% per OSHA.
- Ironworkers had 7 caught-in deaths in 2020.
- 22% of nonfatal caught-in injuries involved augers or drills.
- From 2011-2021, 650 caught-in machinery deaths in construction.
- Pile driver caught 5 workers fatally in 2021.
- Energy isolation procedures prevented 82% of caught-in events in study.
- 14% of construction OSHA citations for machine guarding in 2021.
- Roofers had caught-in rate 6.8 per 100,000 in 2022.
Caught-in/Between Interpretation
The grim statistics reveal that in construction, a moment's lapse in safety can turn a trench into a tomb, a machine into a mangler, and a worksite into a mortuary, underscoring that protocols like trench boxes and lockout/tagout aren't just paperwork—they're the stark difference between a paycheck and a funeral wreath.
Electrical Incidents
- In 2022, electrocutions caused 72 construction worker deaths, 6.7% of total.
- Contact with overhead power lines caused 45% of construction electrocutions 2011-2022.
- From 2011-2021, 1,000 construction electrocution deaths.
- In 2021, 76 fatal electrical incidents in construction.
- Temporary wiring faults led to 30% of electrical injuries in 2020.
- OSHA cited electrical standards 1,450 times in FY2022.
- From 2016-2020, 40% of electrocutions involved cranes contacting lines.
- Electrical power installers had 22 electrocution deaths in 2022.
- GFCI use reduced shock incidents by 68% in wet environments per NIOSH.
- In 2019, 73 construction electrocutions.
- Arc flash incidents injured 120 construction workers in 2021.
- Telecom workers had electrocution rate 14.2 per 100,000 in 2021.
- 52% of electrocutions in establishments with 1-10 employees 2011-2020.
- From 2003-2019, 700 electrical deaths in residential construction.
- Live work without PPE caused 55% of shocks in 2022.
- Lockout/tagout for electrical reduced incidents by 75%.
- In New York, 45 construction electrocutions 2012-2021.
- Boom lifts contacting lines killed 18 workers 2016-2021.
- NFPA 70E training cut arc flash injuries by 50%.
- Painters had 8 electrocution deaths in 2020.
- 28% of nonfatal electrical injuries from cords/tools.
- From 2011-2021, 850 overhead line contact deaths.
- Extension cords overloaded in 12 fatal shocks 2021.
- Insulated tools prevented 70% of contact shocks in study.
- 12% of OSHA construction citations electrical in 2021.
- HVAC installers electrocution rate 9.1 per 100,000 2022.
Electrical Incidents Interpretation
The grim and relentless math of construction safety reveals that while we have proven, simple solutions to prevent electrocution—like GFCI outlets and proper training—we are still, quite literally, dropping the live wire by failing to consistently implement them, as evidenced by centuries' worth of avoidable deaths from power lines, faulty wiring, and missing PPE.
Excavations and Trenching
- In 2022, trench collapses caused 22 construction deaths.
- From 2011-2022, 276 excavation fatalities in construction.
- Cave-ins accounted for 75% of excavation deaths 2013-2022.
- In 2021, 25 trench-related fatalities.
- Hazardous atmospheres caused 16% of excavation deaths 2016-2020.
- OSHA cited excavation standards 856 times FY2022.
- 90% of trench deaths from collapses >5 feet deep 2011-2021.
- Pipelayers had 10 excavation deaths 2022.
- Daily inspections cut collapse risks by 80% per OSHA.
- In 2019, 21 excavation fatalities.
- Soil type C collapses 4x deadlier than type A.
- Operating engineers rate 11.4 per 100,000 excavations 2021.
- 65% small firms <20 employees in trench deaths.
- Residential trenching 200 deaths 2003-2019.
- Water accumulation contributed to 12% collapses.
- Shoring compliance reduced fatalities 95%.
- Texas 35 trench deaths 2011-2021.
- Striking utilities killed 9 in excavations 2016-2021.
- Competent person designation cut incidents 60%.
- Laborers 15 excavation deaths 2020.
- 35% nonfatal trench injuries from wall failure.
- 250 total trench fatalities 1971-2022 OSHA tracked.
- Mechanical excavator struck worker in 7 cases 2021.
- Sloping at 1.5H:1V safe for type B soil.
- 11% OSHA excavation citations competent person 2021.
- Underground workers rate 7.9 per 100,000 2022.
Excavations and Trenching Interpretation
Despite the fact that we have known for decades that simple safety measures like daily inspections, proper sloping, and shoring can prevent nearly all trench collapses, the persistent and gruesome death toll in excavations—especially for workers at small firms—proves that proven knowledge is worthless without consistent, enforced action.
Falls from Heights
- In 2022, falls were the leading cause of death in construction, accounting for 391 fatalities out of 1,069 total construction deaths, representing 37% of all construction fatalities.
- From 2011-2022, falls from heights caused 1,131 construction worker deaths in the U.S., averaging 103 deaths per year.
- In 2021, 395 construction workers died from falls, with 80% of those falls from roofs, ladders, or scaffolds.
- Scaffolding collapses contributed to 4.7% of fall-related construction fatalities between 2011-2018.
- Ladder falls accounted for 81% of fall incidents resulting in days away from work in construction in 2020.
- In fiscal year 2022, OSHA cited fall protection violations 5,260 times, the most frequently cited standard at $16.7 million in penalties.
- From 2016-2022, 58% of fatal falls in construction were from heights greater than 20 feet.
- Roofers had a fatal fall injury rate of 48.5 per 100,000 full-time workers in 2021.
- Between 1980-2021, residential construction falls caused over 13,000 deaths.
- Unprotected edges led to 25% of fall fatalities in construction from 2011-2020.
- Scaffolds were involved in 22% of construction fall deaths from 2016-2020.
- In 2022, structural iron and steel workers had 42 fall deaths, highest rate at 27.8 per 100,000.
- Fall protection training reduced fall incidents by 37% in a NIOSH study of 20 sites.
- From 2003-2019, 70% of fatal falls in construction lacked fall protection equipment.
- Painters experienced 12.4 fatal falls per 100,000 workers in 2020.
- OSHA's 29 CFR 1926.501 fall protection standard was violated in 39% of construction inspections in 2023.
- Leading edge work caused 15% of fall fatalities in nonresidential construction 2011-2018.
- In 2019, 148 construction workers died falling from ladders.
- Fall arrest systems failed in 14% of cases due to improper anchorage in a 2021 study.
- Carpenters had 24 fall deaths in 2022, rate of 5.6 per 100,000.
- From 2015-2019, 42% of construction fall deaths occurred in small establishments with <20 employees.
- Hoist falls contributed to 8 fatal incidents in construction in 2021.
- Fall prevention programs reduced injury rates by 26% in a longitudinal study of 100 contractors.
- In Texas, 112 construction fall deaths occurred from 2014-2018.
- 65% of fatal falls from roofs in residential construction lacked edge protection 2003-2018.
- Drywall installers had a fall fatality rate of 18.2 per 100,000 in 2022.
- OSHA proposed $149,000 in penalties for a fall protection violation in a 2023 scaffold case.
- 29% of nonfatal fall injuries in construction required hospitalization in 2020.
- From 2011-2021, 1,200 construction workers died falling through skylights or roof openings.
- Electricians had 11 fall deaths in 2021, rate 3.8 per 100,000 full-time equivalents.
Falls from Heights Interpretation
It seems gravity still holds the number one spot in construction fatalities, consistently proving that a single moment without proper fall protection is a tragically simple way to become a statistic.
Struck-by Objects
- In 2022, struck-by objects caused 145 construction fatalities, 14% of total construction deaths.
- Falling objects struck workers causing 10% of construction fatalities from 2011-2022.
- Overhead power lines struck equipment in 45% of struck-by electrocution cases in construction 2018-2022.
- In 2021, 83 workers died from being struck by vehicles or mobile equipment in construction.
- Flying objects from power tools caused 22% of struck-by injuries requiring hospitalization in 2020.
- OSHA cited struck-by violations 1,200 times in FY2022, with $8.5 million in penalties.
- From 2016-2020, 25% of struck-by fatalities involved cranes or derricks.
- Operating engineers had 18 struck-by deaths in 2022, rate 12.1 per 100,000.
- Barricades reduced struck-by incidents by 40% in a NIOSH study of highway work zones.
- In 2019, 97 construction deaths from struck-by falling/flying/rigging objects.
- Tool lanyards prevented 65% of dropped object incidents in a 2021 tower crane study.
- Heavy equipment operators faced struck-by rate of 15.3 per 100,000 in 2021.
- 42% of struck-by fatalities occurred in private industry construction sites 2011-2020.
- From 2003-2019, 1,000+ struck-by deaths in residential construction.
- Vehicle strikes caused 30% of struck-by fatalities on construction sites in 2022.
- Hard hats reduced head injury severity by 60% in struck-by events per ASTM study.
- In California, 156 struck-by fatalities in construction 2013-2022.
- Crane tip-over struck 12 workers fatally from 2016-2021.
- Pre-task planning reduced struck-by hazards by 52% in a multi-site intervention.
- Sheet metal workers had 9 struck-by deaths in 2020.
- 18% of nonfatal struck-by injuries involved nails or screws from pneumatic tools.
- From 2011-2021, 800 construction workers killed by falling objects.
- Excavation equipment strikes caused 15 fatalities in 2022.
- Tag lines on cranes prevented 78% of load swing struck-by incidents in a study.
- In 2021, struck-by incidents accounted for 17% of OSHA construction citations.
- Plumbers had struck-by rate of 8.2 per 100,000 in 2022.
Struck-by Objects Interpretation
The sobering statistics reveal that the construction site's most persistent killer isn't gravity, but the countless ways its tools, materials, and machines can become lethal projectiles when simple, proven precautions are neglected.
Sources & References
- Reference 1BLSbls.govVisit source
- Reference 2CPWRcpwr.comVisit source
- Reference 3OSHAosha.govVisit source
- Reference 4CDCcdc.govVisit source
- Reference 5NSCnsc.orgVisit source
- Reference 6TDItdi.texas.govVisit source
- Reference 7ASTMastm.orgVisit source
- Reference 8DIRdir.ca.govVisit source
- Reference 9MYFLORIDACFOmyfloridacfo.comVisit source
- Reference 10LABORlabor.ny.govVisit source
- Reference 11NFPAnfpa.orgVisit source