Even though most people know that construction work in New York City is dangerous — particularly for those working around large machinery or high atop scaffolding — many don’t realize just how deadly it can be.
In fact, according to a report issued earlier this year by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, there were an alarming 159 construction worker deaths in New York City from 2007 through 2014 — meaning there was an average of roughly 20 deaths each year. And given the current construction boom in the city, it doesn’t look like these numbers are going to drop anytime soon.
Other interesting stats from this report
While the report mentioned above contains several important statistics regarding New York construction deaths, some of the noteworthy stats include:
- The fatality rates for NYC construction workers are more than five times higher than all NYC industries
- There were 144 construction deaths attributed to unintentional injuries from 2007 to 2014, meaning the injuries occurred without the intent to cause harm
- Of the 144 unintentional injury deaths, more than half (58 percent) were caused by falls, including fatal falls from scaffolds (25 percent), fatal falls from ladders (16 percent) and fatal falls from rooftops (11 percent)
- Of the 144 unintentional injury deaths, roughly one-third involved workers who were struck, crushed or caught between equipment or objects
What is particularly tragic about these deaths is that many of them could have been easily prevented had the general contractors or property owners taken the appropriate steps to ensure proper safety procedures were being followed on their construction sites.