Construction Accident Data: Injury Rate Drops, But Total Cases Rise in Recently Published 2023 BLS Workplace Injury Reports

The latest data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) on November 8, 2023, offers a nuanced view of workplace safety trends in the construction industry. While the rate of nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses among construction workers declined slightly, the raw number of injuries rose, highlighting both progress and areas needing improvement in jobsite safety.

Construction Accident Injury Rate Declines, But Total Injuries Increase

In 2023, the construction industry reported 2.3 nonfatal occupational injuries or illnesses per 100 full-time equivalent (FTE) workers, a modest drop from 2.4 in 2022. This improvement brought construction’s injury rate below the national average of 2.4 across all U.S. industries. However, the total number of reported nonfatal injuries and illnesses increased by 2.1%, climbing from 169,600 cases in 2022 to 173,200 in 2023.

Despite the decline in the injury rate, construction accounted for a growing proportion of total recordable nonfatal injuries and illnesses, rising from 6.0% in 2022 to 6.7% in 2023. This indicates that while some progress has been made, much work remains to be done to safeguard workers in one of the nation’s most hazardous industries.

A Decade of Steady Improvement in Construction Accident Injury Rates

Encouragingly, the construction industry has seen a long-term decline in nonfatal injury and illness rates. This downward trend reflects ongoing efforts by industry stakeholders to implement safety protocols, provide training, and raise awareness about jobsite hazards. However, the report’s reliance on self-reported data from approximately 233,000 employers introduces limitations. It excludes self-employed workers, small farms, volunteers, and federal employees, meaning the figures may underestimate the true scale of injuries in the construction industry.

Fatalities Data Yet to Come

It is important to note that the BLS report only addresses nonfatal injuries. The data on workplace fatalities for 2023 will be released on December 19. This forthcoming report will provide additional insights into the overall safety landscape in the construction industry.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a construction accident, contact the experienced construction accident lawyers at Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf. With over 100 years of experience and a proven track record of securing substantial verdicts and settlements, we are here to help you obtain the compensation you deserve.