Construction remains one of the most hazardous industries in New York, with fatality rates consistently exceeding national averages. Let’s take a look at the latest, sobering statistics from 2023 and the implications for worker safety.
2023 Construction Fatalities: By the Numbers
Construction deaths in New York City and across the state paint a concerning picture of workplace safety:
- New York City recorded 30 construction-related deaths in 2023, up from 24 in 2022 (NYCOSH Annual Construction Fatality Report)
- Statewide fatalities reached 47 in 2023, showing a 15% increase from 2022 (NY State Department of Labor)
- The state’s construction fatality rate of 12.3 deaths per 100,000 workers exceeded the national average of 9.7 (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
- Non-union sites accounted for 78% of all construction fatalities in New York (NYCOSH Annual Construction Fatality Report)
Injury Statistics
Beyond fatalities, construction injuries remained alarmingly high:
- Over 12,000 construction-related injuries were reported statewide (OSHA Data & Statistics)
- The injury rate of 2.8 per 100 workers represented a 10% increase from 2022 (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
- Falls accounted for 33% of all construction injuries (NY Workers Compensation Board Annual Report)
- Struck-by incidents represented 22% of injuries (NY Workers Compensation Board)
Five-Year Trends (2019-2023)
Looking at the broader picture reveals concerning patterns:
- Overall construction fatalities increased by 25% since 2019 (Center for Construction Research and Training)
- Injury rates have risen steadily at 3-5% annually (BLS Injury Data)
- Small construction sites (under $1 million) showed a 40% higher incident rate (OSHA Common Statistics)
- Immigrant worker fatalities increased by 30% over this period (NYCOSH Data Analysis)
National Comparison
New York’s construction industry faces unique challenges:
- The state’s fatality rate is 27% higher than the national average (BLS Regional Data)
- New York City’s death rate is 36% above the average for major U.S. cities (CPWR Data Center)
- The state ranks third nationally in total construction fatalities (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
- Injury rates exceed national averages by 22% (OSHA New York State Plan)
Legal Implications
These statistics underscore the critical importance of New York’s worker protection laws:
- Labor Law Section 240 (The “Scaffold Law”) remains crucial for elevation-related accidents
- Increased OSHA violations in 2023 highlight the need for stricter enforcement (OSHA Enforcement Data)
- Civil penalties for safety violations increased by 25% in 2023 (NY DOL Updates)
At Buzin & Berman, we’re committed to representing construction workers and their families affected by workplace accidents. These statistics aren’t just numbers – they represent real people whose lives have been forever changed by construction accidents. New York has some of the strongest laws in the country to protect not only construction workers but workers involved in repairs, renovations, painting, etc.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a construction accident, contact us for a free consultation. Our decades of experience will help you understand your rights and fight for the compensation you deserve under New York law.
