around noon (Huang and Hinze 2003).
Earlier this year, the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) unveiled a report highlighting the results of a comprehensive study of every construction fatality that took place over a three-year period. The study’s intent was to identify methods that can help construction firms prevent workplace fatalities and injuries.
“We all share a common goal: getting to zero construction fatalities,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association’s CEO. “This report offers the kind of data and recommendations needed to help construction firms achieve that goal.”
It achieves this by helping contractors to understand why, when and how construction fatalities occur — particularly crucial during this period of expanding construction activity and employment.
Much of the study’s results confirm past findings. Falls were still the leading cause of deaths, accounting for 33% of all industry fatalities; transportation incidents were close behind at 29%. The heavy and civil sector had the highest annual fatality rate (24 per 100,000 workers), while specialty trades accounted for significantly more fatalities than any other sector, with 56% of jobsite deaths.
There were also some surprises that challenge long-held assumptions. For example, while prior research indicated most construction fatalities occur in the morning, the current study showed noon as the deadliest time frame. Thus, the AGC is now advising contractors to hold safety talks and stretching sessions when workers return from the 11 a.m. to noon lunch breaks common on many sites.
And while you may assume most fatalities occur among the youngest, least experienced workers, 50% of fatal incidents were among workers 35 to 54 years of age, with the peak among workers age 65 or older (19 deaths per 100,000 workers per year). The study also challenges the assumption that Hispanic workers are disproportionately more likely to be the victims of fatal incidents. In fact, they account for 24% of the national construction workforce and 25% of all construction fatalities. As such, the AGC advises safety programs be crafted for the entire workforce rather than targeted to specific demographic segments.
New data further shows small construction firms with fewer than 10 employees account for 47% of fatalities and the highest fatality rate at 26 per 100,000 workers annually. (Most previous studies did not include firms in this size range.) The AGC speculates this may be due to a lack of full-time safety and health staff at the smallest firms. As such, where possible, it recommends prime contractors take the lead in instilling a safety culture among subcontractors working on their jobsites.
While the findings of the study are themselves quite fascinating, the real value of the report lies in the analysis and subsequent actionable recommendations provided for intervention and hopefully prevention of fatal incidents.
Download the free report “Preventing Fatalities in the Construction Industry”
