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
1In 2022, caught-in/between caused 69 construction fatalities.
Verified2Trench collapses killed 166 construction workers from 2013-2022.
Verified3Between 2011-2021, caught-in machinery caused 45% of caught-in/between deaths.
Verified4In 2021, 74 deaths from being caught in or compressed by equipment.
Directional5Unguarded rotating parts caught 22 workers fatally in 2020.
Single source6OSHA cited cave-in protection 1,032 times in FY2022.
Verified7From 2016-2020, 60% of caught-in fatalities involved trenches over 5 feet deep.
Verified8Construction laborers had 20 caught-in deaths in 2022.
Verified9Trench boxes reduced collapse fatalities by 90% when properly used per NIOSH.
Directional10In 2019, 51 caught-in/between construction deaths.
Single source11Backup alarms on equipment prevented 55% of caught-in incidents in a study.
Verified12Helpers had caught-in rate of 10.5 per 100,000 in 2021.
Verified1335% of caught-in fatalities in small construction firms <11 employees 2011-2020.
Verified14From 2003-2019, 500 caught-in deaths in residential builds.
Directional15Pinch points on conveyors caught 15 workers in 2022.
Single source16Lockout/tagout compliance cut caught-in injuries by 70% in intervention.
Verified17In Florida, 28 trench collapse deaths 2011-2021.
Verified18Auger drills caused 8 caught-in fatalities 2016-2021.
Verified19Machine guarding training reduced incidents by 45% per OSHA.
Directional20Ironworkers had 7 caught-in deaths in 2020.
Single source2122% of nonfatal caught-in injuries involved augers or drills.
Verified22From 2011-2021, 650 caught-in machinery deaths in construction.
Verified23Pile driver caught 5 workers fatally in 2021.
Verified24Energy isolation procedures prevented 82% of caught-in events in study.
Directional2514% of construction OSHA citations for machine guarding in 2021.
Single source26Roofers had caught-in rate 6.8 per 100,000 in 2022.
VerifiedCaught-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
1In 2022, electrocutions caused 72 construction worker deaths, 6.7% of total.
Verified2Contact with overhead power lines caused 45% of construction electrocutions 2011-2022.
Verified3From 2011-2021, 1,000 construction electrocution deaths.
Verified4In 2021, 76 fatal electrical incidents in construction.
Directional5Temporary wiring faults led to 30% of electrical injuries in 2020.
Single source6OSHA cited electrical standards 1,450 times in FY2022.
Verified7From 2016-2020, 40% of electrocutions involved cranes contacting lines.
Verified8Electrical power installers had 22 electrocution deaths in 2022.
Verified9GFCI use reduced shock incidents by 68% in wet environments per NIOSH.
Directional10In 2019, 73 construction electrocutions.
Single source11Arc flash incidents injured 120 construction workers in 2021.
Verified12Telecom workers had electrocution rate 14.2 per 100,000 in 2021.
Verified1352% of electrocutions in establishments with 1-10 employees 2011-2020.
Verified14From 2003-2019, 700 electrical deaths in residential construction.
Directional15Live work without PPE caused 55% of shocks in 2022.
Single source16Lockout/tagout for electrical reduced incidents by 75%.
Verified17In New York, 45 construction electrocutions 2012-2021.
Verified18Boom lifts contacting lines killed 18 workers 2016-2021.
Verified19NFPA 70E training cut arc flash injuries by 50%.
Directional20Painters had 8 electrocution deaths in 2020.
Single source2128% of nonfatal electrical injuries from cords/tools.
Verified22From 2011-2021, 850 overhead line contact deaths.
Verified23Extension cords overloaded in 12 fatal shocks 2021.
Verified24Insulated tools prevented 70% of contact shocks in study.
Directional2512% of OSHA construction citations electrical in 2021.
Single source26HVAC installers electrocution rate 9.1 per 100,000 2022.
VerifiedElectrical 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
1In 2022, trench collapses caused 22 construction deaths.
Verified2From 2011-2022, 276 excavation fatalities in construction.
Verified3Cave-ins accounted for 75% of excavation deaths 2013-2022.
Verified4In 2021, 25 trench-related fatalities.
Directional5Hazardous atmospheres caused 16% of excavation deaths 2016-2020.
Single source6OSHA cited excavation standards 856 times FY2022.
Verified790% of trench deaths from collapses >5 feet deep 2011-2021.
Verified8Pipelayers had 10 excavation deaths 2022.
Verified9Daily inspections cut collapse risks by 80% per OSHA.
Directional10In 2019, 21 excavation fatalities.
Single source11Soil type C collapses 4x deadlier than type A.
Verified12Operating engineers rate 11.4 per 100,000 excavations 2021.
Verified1365% small firms <20 employees in trench deaths.
Verified14Residential trenching 200 deaths 2003-2019.
Directional15Water accumulation contributed to 12% collapses.
Single source16Shoring compliance reduced fatalities 95%.
Verified17Texas 35 trench deaths 2011-2021.
Verified18Striking utilities killed 9 in excavations 2016-2021.
Verified19Competent person designation cut incidents 60%.
Directional20Laborers 15 excavation deaths 2020.
Single source2135% nonfatal trench injuries from wall failure.
Verified22250 total trench fatalities 1971-2022 OSHA tracked.
Verified23Mechanical excavator struck worker in 7 cases 2021.
Verified24Sloping at 1.5H:1V safe for type B soil.
Directional2511% OSHA excavation citations competent person 2021.
Single source26Underground workers rate 7.9 per 100,000 2022.
VerifiedExcavations 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
1In 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.
Verified2From 2011-2022, falls from heights caused 1,131 construction worker deaths in the U.S., averaging 103 deaths per year.
Verified3In 2021, 395 construction workers died from falls, with 80% of those falls from roofs, ladders, or scaffolds.
Verified4Scaffolding collapses contributed to 4.7% of fall-related construction fatalities between 2011-2018.
Directional5Ladder falls accounted for 81% of fall incidents resulting in days away from work in construction in 2020.
Single source6In fiscal year 2022, OSHA cited fall protection violations 5,260 times, the most frequently cited standard at $16.7 million in penalties.
Verified7From 2016-2022, 58% of fatal falls in construction were from heights greater than 20 feet.
Verified8Roofers had a fatal fall injury rate of 48.5 per 100,000 full-time workers in 2021.
Verified9Between 1980-2021, residential construction falls caused over 13,000 deaths.
Directional10Unprotected edges led to 25% of fall fatalities in construction from 2011-2020.
Single source11Scaffolds were involved in 22% of construction fall deaths from 2016-2020.
Verified12In 2022, structural iron and steel workers had 42 fall deaths, highest rate at 27.8 per 100,000.
Verified13Fall protection training reduced fall incidents by 37% in a NIOSH study of 20 sites.
Verified14From 2003-2019, 70% of fatal falls in construction lacked fall protection equipment.
Directional15Painters experienced 12.4 fatal falls per 100,000 workers in 2020.
Single source16OSHA's 29 CFR 1926.501 fall protection standard was violated in 39% of construction inspections in 2023.
Verified17Leading edge work caused 15% of fall fatalities in nonresidential construction 2011-2018.
Verified18In 2019, 148 construction workers died falling from ladders.
Verified19Fall arrest systems failed in 14% of cases due to improper anchorage in a 2021 study.
Directional20Carpenters had 24 fall deaths in 2022, rate of 5.6 per 100,000.
Single source21From 2015-2019, 42% of construction fall deaths occurred in small establishments with <20 employees.
Verified22Hoist falls contributed to 8 fatal incidents in construction in 2021.
Verified23Fall prevention programs reduced injury rates by 26% in a longitudinal study of 100 contractors.
Verified24In Texas, 112 construction fall deaths occurred from 2014-2018.
Directional2565% of fatal falls from roofs in residential construction lacked edge protection 2003-2018.
Single source26Drywall installers had a fall fatality rate of 18.2 per 100,000 in 2022.
Verified27OSHA proposed $149,000 in penalties for a fall protection violation in a 2023 scaffold case.
Verified2829% of nonfatal fall injuries in construction required hospitalization in 2020.
Verified29From 2011-2021, 1,200 construction workers died falling through skylights or roof openings.
Directional30Electricians had 11 fall deaths in 2021, rate 3.8 per 100,000 full-time equivalents.
Single sourceFalls 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
1In 2022, struck-by objects caused 145 construction fatalities, 14% of total construction deaths.
Verified2Falling objects struck workers causing 10% of construction fatalities from 2011-2022.
Verified3Overhead power lines struck equipment in 45% of struck-by electrocution cases in construction 2018-2022.
Verified4In 2021, 83 workers died from being struck by vehicles or mobile equipment in construction.
Directional5Flying objects from power tools caused 22% of struck-by injuries requiring hospitalization in 2020.
Single source6OSHA cited struck-by violations 1,200 times in FY2022, with $8.5 million in penalties.
Verified7From 2016-2020, 25% of struck-by fatalities involved cranes or derricks.
Verified8Operating engineers had 18 struck-by deaths in 2022, rate 12.1 per 100,000.
Verified9Barricades reduced struck-by incidents by 40% in a NIOSH study of highway work zones.
Directional10In 2019, 97 construction deaths from struck-by falling/flying/rigging objects.
Single source11Tool lanyards prevented 65% of dropped object incidents in a 2021 tower crane study.
Verified12Heavy equipment operators faced struck-by rate of 15.3 per 100,000 in 2021.
Verified1342% of struck-by fatalities occurred in private industry construction sites 2011-2020.
Verified14From 2003-2019, 1,000+ struck-by deaths in residential construction.
Directional15Vehicle strikes caused 30% of struck-by fatalities on construction sites in 2022.
Single source16Hard hats reduced head injury severity by 60% in struck-by events per ASTM study.
Verified17In California, 156 struck-by fatalities in construction 2013-2022.
Verified18Crane tip-over struck 12 workers fatally from 2016-2021.
Verified19Pre-task planning reduced struck-by hazards by 52% in a multi-site intervention.
Directional20Sheet metal workers had 9 struck-by deaths in 2020.
Single source2118% of nonfatal struck-by injuries involved nails or screws from pneumatic tools.
Verified22From 2011-2021, 800 construction workers killed by falling objects.
Verified23Excavation equipment strikes caused 15 fatalities in 2022.
Verified24Tag lines on cranes prevented 78% of load swing struck-by incidents in a study.
Directional25In 2021, struck-by incidents accounted for 17% of OSHA construction citations.
Single source26Plumbers had struck-by rate of 8.2 per 100,000 in 2022.
VerifiedStruck-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
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