A recent data bulletin published by CPWR—The Center for Construction Research and Training shows 1,092 construction workers died in 2022, which is up 7.6% from 1,015 fatalities in 2021, according to Safety+Health magazine.
This also marks the seventh consecutive year the construction industry experienced more than 1,000 fatalities.
The fatality rate was 9.3 per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers in 2022—an increase from 9.1 per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers in 2021 but lower than a high of 9.8 per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers in 2012.
CPWR also reported that Latino workers accounted for 37.4% of fatalities in 2022, and workers 55 and older accounted for 31.1% of fatalities. Additionally, falls to a lower level caused 36.4% of fatalities in 2022, and vehicular incidents on roadways caused nearly 14% of fatalities. Roofing workers had the highest fatality rate among construction workers at 57.5 per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers, followed by “helpers, construction trade” at 38.5 per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers.
Falls are the leading cause of death in the construction industry. Learn how to reduce roofing-related injuries and deaths with NRCA’s safety classes, webinars and publications.
