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Safety Problems in Construction

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) reports that while construction workers make up 8 percent of America's workforce, 22 percent of workplace fatalities occur in construction. Construction employers are responsible for providing a safe working environment.

  1. Types of Hazards

    • According to the Center for Construction Research and Training, falls were the leading cause of death on construction sites in 2005. Transportation-related accidents comprised 28.4 percent of 2005 deaths, while 20 percent involved contact with objects, including deaths by electrocution.

    Deaths and Injuries

    • According to NIOSH, construction accidents killed 1,178 workers and caused injury or illness to 135,350 workers in 2007. The construction industry's incident rate for worker injury or illness on the job in 2007 was 190 for every 100,000 workers.

    OSHA

    • The Occupational Safety & Health Administration enforces construction safety regulations. OSHA inspectors can punish infractions by levying fines or issuing citations, which give employers instructions for remedying safety hazards and set a deadline for implementation.

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