According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, construction injury rates dropped to their lowest in over a decade in 2023, figures that have continually declined since 2011. Data released by the agency showed that the rate at which construction workers were sick or injured on the job decreased last year, though the raw number of injuries on jobsites increased 2.1 percent.
The construction sector recorded 2.3 nonfatal occupational injuries or illnesses per 100 full-time equivalent workers last year, which represents a decrease of 2.4 over 2022 data.
Seven out of 19 measured industries had higher incidence rates, while the rate in construction fell just below the total average of 2.4 recorded for all industries in the United States. Five industries counted more injuries and illnesses in 2023 than construction, which represented 6.7 percent of total recordable nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses that year, up 0.7 percent over the previous year.
The figures, which are self-reported by private U.S. employers, exclude self-employed people, farm workers, volunteers, and federal government employees, but still indicate a positive downward trend as nonfatal total recordable cases are down 41 percent since 2011. However, many believe that until the number is closer to zero, more work needs to be done.
This report covered only nonfatal injuries. Information related to industry fatalities will be released on December 19 by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
