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Fatal and nonfatal falls, slips, and trips in the construction industry

May 06, 2021

There were 1,102 fatal injuries in the construction industry in 2019 in private industry and government. These deaths represented 20.7 percent of total workplace fatalities in the United States (5,333). Falls, slips, and trips were the most frequent type of fatal event in the construction industry, representing 37.9 percent of all fatalities (418 of 1,102). This was a 22.9-percent increase in fatal falls, slips, and trips over 2018. Most fatal falls, slips, and trips are from falls to a lower level.

Number of fatal work injuries in the construction industry by selected event or exposure, all ownerships, 2015–19
Event or exposure 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

All construction fatalities

985 1034 1013 1038 1102

All falls, slips, trips

367 388 389 340 418

Falls to lower level

353 372 367 321 401

Falls, slips, and trips in 2019 accounted for 32.0 percent of nonfatal injuries involving days away from work in the private construction industry (25,460 cases of 79,660). These cases resulted in a median of 28 days away from work.

Number of nonfatal injuries and illnesses involving days away from work by selected event or exposure, private construction industry, 2015–19
Event or exposure 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Falls to lower level

11,150 12,130 10,950 11,960 13,770

Falls on same level

8,120 8,310 8,420 6,390 7,400

Slips, trips without fall

3,980 3,650 3,950 2,840 3,620

These data are from the Injuries, Illnesses, and Fatalities program. From May 3 through May 7, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration is having a National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction. This event is held annually to raise awareness of fall hazards and fall prevention across the construction industry.

SUGGESTED CITATION

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, The Economics Daily, Fatal and nonfatal falls, slips, and trips in the construction industry at https://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2021/fatal-and-nonfatal-falls-slips-and-trips-in-the-construction-industry.htm (visited December 02, 2024).

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