In 2023, New York State recorded a staggering 74 construction worker fatalities, marking the highest death toll in the industry in the last ten years, according to a new report from the New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health (NYCOSH). Among the 74 fatalities, 30 occurred in New York City, contributing to the overall spike in construction deaths both in the city and the state.

The data, compiled from sources including the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), and the NYC Department of Buildings, reflects a troubling trend. The NYCOSH report, released on Tuesday, reveals the highest number of construction deaths in the state since 2013.

Rising Fatality Rates

While the raw number of fatalities is concerning, the report highlights that the fatality rates per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers are a more accurate measure of the risks faced by construction workers. In 2023, New York City’s fatality rate increased slightly to 11.6 per 100,000 workers, up from 11.5 in 2022. For the entire state, the fatality rate was 10.4, marking an 8.3% increase from the previous year’s 9.6.

“Rates are a better indicator of the danger of work than the raw number of fatalities,” the NYCOSH report noted. The numbers show a worrying upward trend, especially when compared to previous years, including 2020 when New York City experienced only 13 construction worker deaths—a marked decrease largely attributed to a slowdown in construction activity due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

By comparison, the nationwide fatal work injury rate for construction in 2023 was 9.6 per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Disproportionate Impact on Latinx Workers

Another alarming trend highlighted in the report is the disproportionate number of Latinx worker deaths in New York’s construction industry. While Latinx individuals represent about 10% of the state’s workforce, they accounted for 26% of all construction worker fatalities. This mirrors a broader national trend, where Hispanic or Latino workers also face higher rates of fatal work injuries compared to the general workforce.

The report stresses the importance of recognizing these disparities and taking action to ensure that safety measures are equitably applied to all workers, particularly vulnerable groups such as Latinx workers.

The Link Between Fatalities and OSHA Violations

A particularly troubling finding in the NYCOSH report was the connection between fatal accidents and employers’ failure to adhere to safety regulations. According to the report, “employers had coinciding OSHA violations 74% of the time” on job sites where fatalities occurred. This suggests that a significant portion of construction deaths could have been prevented if employers had adhered to established safety protocols, such as providing proper training and fall protections for workers.

“On jobsites where workers died, employers had failed to implement or maintain basic safety measures that could have saved lives,” said the NYCOSH report. “For example, if a worker fell to their death, it was often because the employer failed to provide fall protection or proper training.”

Recommendations for Improving Worker Safety

In light of these disturbing findings, NYCOSH has proposed several safety recommendations to address the ongoing issues within New York's construction industry.

Mandatory Training and Certification

‍The report urges municipalities across the state to mandate construction training and certification for workers, ensuring that all workers have the necessary skills and knowledge to stay safe on the job. NYCOSH also calls for removing financial barriers to training, making it more accessible to workers.

Stronger Consequences for Safety Violations

‍NYCOSH recommends that companies with repeated safety violations be barred from receiving public contracts or participating in federal or state construction projects. This includes revoking licenses for contractors with a history of negligence and stopping municipalities from hiring such firms.

Legal Action Against Negligent Employers

‍The report also calls on district attorneys to hold negligent employers accountable through legal avenues such as Carlos' Law, which increased criminal penalties for companies found responsible for worker deaths or injuries. Under this law, corporations could face fines ranging from $500,000 to $1 million, a measure that NYCOSH advocates to enforce more rigorously.

Enhanced OSHA Protection and Funding

‍NYCOSH stresses the importance of protecting OSHA from cuts and advocating for more funding for inspections and enforcement. The number of OSHA inspections has decreased significantly over the past several years, failing to reach pre-pandemic levels. The report also notes that the long-awaited heat illness standard, which could help protect workers from extreme weather, has been delayed indefinitely.

Increased Advocacy for Worker Safety Standards

‍Finally, NYCOSH calls for stronger advocacy at the state and national levels to protect worker safety, particularly as OSHA faces potential threats from political pressures. A proposed bill to nullify national OSHA regulations is unlikely to succeed, but experts warn that such legislative efforts could hinder progress on improving safety standards in construction.

Moving Forward: A Call for Change

The devastating number of construction fatalities in 2023 serves as a stark reminder of the persistent dangers that construction workers face on the job. NYCOSH’s recommendations highlight the urgent need for improved safety regulations, better enforcement, and a more comprehensive approach to training and accountability in the industry.

“As construction activity increases, so does the potential for accidents,” said the NYCOSH report. “The time to take decisive action on these issues is now, to prevent more lives from being lost in the future.”

Construction Safety Week 2025, which will take place from May 5-9 with the theme “All in Together,” aims to bring further awareness to these critical issues, emphasizing the collective responsibility of employers, workers, and policymakers to prioritize safety.

Conclusion

While New York continues to grapple with high construction fatality rates, there is hope for improvement if the industry acts on recommendations to prioritize training, enforce safety regulations, and hold employers accountable. The time for change is now—ensuring that the next decade sees fewer lives lost and more construction workers returning home safely every day. For more information on safety resources, visit Construction Safety Week’s website.

Originally reported by Zachary Phillips in Construction Dive.