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THE CHART BOOK 44

Fatal and Nonfatal Injuries from Falls in Construction

Falls are the number one cause of fatal injuries in construction fers by demographics. Older construction workers had higher (see page 43). Although overall fatalities declined (see page 38), rates of fatal falls than their younger counterparts.2 A higher risk in 2010, falls still caused 267 deaths in construction, accounting of fatal falls was also found among Hispanic construction work- for about one-third of construction fatalities that year. Overall, ers, particularly among those who were foreign-born.3 6,858 construction workers died from fall injuries between 1992 Falls cause severe nonfatal injuries as well. In 2010, and 2010, about 360 deaths annually (chart 44a). falls led to 18,130 nonfatal injuries resulting in days away from From 2008 to 2010, the largest number of fatal falls (579 work (DAFW), accounting for 24% of the nonfatal injuries in deaths) in construction occurred among Specialty Trade construction (see page 43). The rate of nonfatal fall injuries in Contractors (NAICS 238; see page 1 for industry classifications construction was 50% higher than all industries combined.4 and codes), but falls accounted for a larger proportion (48.7%, 135 Within construction, had the highest rate of nonfatal deaths) of all fatalities in Residential Building Construction falls resulting in DAFW at 75.1 per 10,000 FTEs, followed by (NAICS 23611).1 Establishments in these two sectors are relative- sheet metal workers and (chart 44d). ly small, and about 55% of all fatal falls in construction occurred Causes of fatal and nonfatal falls are different. Between in establishments with 1-10 employees from 2008-2010 (chart 2008 and 2010, about 97% of fatal falls in construction resulted 44b). This was disproportionately high, given that less than 30% from falls to a lower level.1 The primary cause of fall fatalities in of construction workers were employed in establishments of this construction was falling from roofs, accounting for one-third of size (see page 2). the fatal falls (chart 44e), whereas falls on the same level were a The risk of fatal falls varies among construction occu- common cause of nonfatal injuries (39.5%; chart 44f). pations. Between 2008 and 2010, the annual rate of fatal falls in To prevent construction worker falls, the National construction was 3.2 per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and part- (FTEs; see Glossary; chart 44c), but the risk for electrical power- ners have launched a national construction falls prevention cam- line installers (28.5 per 100,000 FTEs) was nearly nine times the paign, encouraging everyone in the industry (particularly resi- rate in construction, followed by a rate of 23.8 per 100,000 FTEs dential construction contractors and workers) to work safely and for both roofers and ironworkers. In addition, the risk of falls dif- use the proper equipment to reduce falls.5

44a. Number of fatalities from falls in construction, 44b. Distribution of fatalities from falls in construction, 1992-2010 (All employment) by establishment size, 2008-2010 total (Wage-and-salary workers)

500 Total = 521 deaths 450 12.5% 400 1-10 employees 350 300 8.1% 11-19 employees 250 54.7% 200 20-49 employees Number of deaths 150

100 15.9% 50-99 employees 50 0 100+ employees 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 8.8% Year

1. Fatality numbers were estimated from the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries. This research was conducted with restricted access to Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data. The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of the BLS. Calculations by CPWR Data Center. 2. Dong X, Wang X, & Daw C. 2012. Fatal falls among older construction workers. Human Factors, 54(3):303-315. 3. Dong X, Fujimoto A, Ringen K, & Men Y. 2009. Fatal falls among Hispanic construction workers. Accident Analysis and Prevention, 41:1047-1052. 4. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 2010 Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses. (Table R75).http://www.bls.gov/iif/oshwc/osh/case/ostb2899.pdf (Accessed August 2012). 5. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. 2012. Campaign to Prevent Falls in Construction. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/construction/stopfalls.html (Accessed August 2012). 49277mvp_Text.qxd 4/10/2013 1:05 PM Page cv

44 THE CONSTRUCTION CHART BOOK

44c. Rate of fatalities from falls, selected construction 44d. Rate of nonfatal injuries from falls resulting in days occupations, 2008-2010 average away from work, selected construction occupations, 2010 (All employment) (Private wage-and-salary workers)

Deaths per 100,000 FTEs Injuries per 10,000 FTEs Power-line installer 28.5 75.1 23.8 Sheet metal 69.2 Ironworker 23.8 Roofer 52.2 Sheet metal 6.5 Heat A/C mech 47.7 5.7 Carpenter 45.9 Truck driver 5.3 39.9 39.4 Brickmason 5.1 Drywall 39.2 Painter 4.7 38.2 Foreman 4.0 Brickmason 34.5 Carpenter 3.6 Laborer 28.6 Electrician 2.5 Painter 21.7 Drywall 2.3 Foreman 19.2 Heat A/C mech 2.1 Welder 15.5 Plumber 1.4 Operating engineer 13.3 Construction manager 1.1 Construction manager 12.7 All construction 3.2 All construction 36.2

44e. Causes of fatalities from falls in construction, 44f. Causes of nonfatal injuries from falls resulting in 2008-2010 total days away from work in construction, 2010 (All employment) (Private wage-and-salary workers)

Total = 891 deaths Total = 18,130 injuries Other (6.1%) From floor, dock, ground level (4.9%) Other (20.9%) From roof On same level Fall to lower level, n.e.c. (6.1%) (31.0%) (39.5%)

From girder, From scaffold (3.6%) struct. steel (6.7%) From nonmoving vehicle (5.7%) From nonmoving vehicle (7.1%) From roof (7.3%)

From scaffold, staging (14.6%) From ladder (23.6%) From ladder (22.9%)

Note: Chart 44b – Deaths of self-employed workers and those without information on establishment size were excluded. Chart 44e – “Other” causes include jump to a lower level; fall on the same level; fall to a lower level unspecified; and fall down stairs or steps. Total may not add to 100% due to rounding. Chart 44f – “Other” causes include jump to a lower level; fall from floor, dock, or ground level; fall from building girders or other structural steel; fall to a lower level n.e.c./unspecified; and fall down stairs or steps. Data covers the private industry only and excludes the self-employed. Total may not add to 100% due to rounding. Source: Charts 44a, 44b, 44c, and 44e – Fatality numbers were estimated from the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries. This research was conducted with restricted access to Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data. The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of the BLS. Numbers of full-time equivalents (FTEs) were estimated from the Current Population Survey. Calculations by CPWR Data Center. Chart 44d – U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses. Numbers were obtained from the BLS through special requests (E-mail: [email protected]). Numbers of FTEs were estimated using the Current Population Survey. Calculations by CPWR Data Center. Chart 44f – U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 2010 Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses. (Table R64). http://www.bls.gov/iif/oshwc/osh/case/ostb2888.pdf (Accessed August 2012).