In the last 16 years, more fatalities have occurred in construction than in any other industry. Not only are workers on construction sites vulnerable to incidents with heavy machinery or working at height, but their exposure to dangerous materials can pose health risks if proper care is not taken. In a recent study of individuals who worked in the construction industry until retirement age, more than 50% of respondents reported hearing impairment.

Of non-fatal on-the-job injuries, nearly 40% cause the injured worker to take time off of work to recover. In 2022, sick or injured construction workers missed a total of 24.2 million hours of work. Absent workers lead to decreased productivity and increased strain on the rest of the crew to accommodate project needs with fewer hands. Not to mention the cost of unsafe practices at construction sites from failed safety inspections: The average OSHA penalty fee per inspection was $2,697 between 2011 and 2020.

Reprinted courtesy of Nancy Novak, Construction Executive, a publication of Associated Builders and Contractors. All rights reserved.