Construction is one of the most dangerous industries to work in. Workers are exposed to daily hazards that often result in serious injuries, illnesses and death. In fact, EHS Today ranked construction No. 5 on their list of the most dangerous jobs of 2021.
According to a recent report by The Center for Construction Training and Research (CPWR), nonfatal worker injuries in the construction industry dropped by nearly 57 percent from 2003 to 2019. Despite the decline in injuries, the construction injury rate still remains much higher than all other industries combined. For example, it was 29 percent higher than all other industries in 2019.
Findings from the survey
The CPWR used the Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses and Current Population Survey to extract 17 years' worth of data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Within the construction industry alone, the injury rate was 112.3 nonfatal injuries per 10,000 full-time workers in 2019. That's down from 259.4 in 2003. Smaller construction companies had a much higher rate of injuries than larger companies. That is likely due to the lack of safety training, safety equipment and proper protocol on worksites.
Other key findings from the report include:
- The leading cause of injury in construction was contact with objects or equipment. This usually involved heavy machinery and building materials. In 2019, this accounted for 1 out of 5 nonfatal construction injuries.
- Other leading causes of nonfatal construction injuries were slip, trip, and fall accidents, and overexertion.
- Nonfatal injuries from falls to a lower level increased by 41 percent from 2011 to 2019.
- Most construction injuries from 2017 to 2019 occurred in framing, concrete pouring and flooring.
- Workers age 20-24 had the highest rate of nonfatal injuries that resulted in them missing work.
Construction injuries can also be caused by falls from heights, vehicle backovers, fires and explosions, and collapsed buildings or trenches.
Most common nonfatal injuries in construction
At Island Musculoskeletal Care MD, PC, the most common construction injuries we see include:
- Broken bones and fractures
- Amputations of fingers, toes and other body parts
- Sprains, tears and other soft tissue injuries
- Joint dislocations
- Knee injuries
- Shoulder and wrist injuries
- Herniated discs or broken spinal vertebrae
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Skull fractures and other traumatic brain injuries
- Crushed limbs
- Repetitive stress injuries to joints
Getting treatment after a construction injury
If you were injured while working on a construction site, you may be unsure what course of action to take. It's critical that you notify your employer in writing that you were injured in a construction accident and get medical help immediately. Worried about the cost of medical treatment? Workers' compensation in New York has your medical expenses and lost wages covered. The orthopedic surgeons at IMC Bone Doc regularly treat injured workers who are receiving workers' compensation benefits.
When you meet with us for a medical evaluation, we'll identify your injury and give you an accurate diagnosis. We'll also go over your treatment options and help you on the path to recovery. We not only help with your surgical needs, but we also have licensed physical therapists on staff at all of our offices. We have seven offices conveniently located across NYC and Long Island. Contact us online or call us to find out how we can help you.
