Inside NYC Construction: Which Sectors See the Most Accidents?

Construction workers are the ones who keep our cities running, raising the buildings and bridges we see every day. But every project comes with serious risks. In New York City, some roles and sectors carry a higher chance of injury, and knowing where the dangers lie can make all the difference in staying safe on the job.

The latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) highlights exactly which parts of the construction industry are the most dangerous. Let’s take a look.

How Many Construction Workers Are Injured or Killed?

Construction work is tough, fast-moving, and full of surprises, which makes safety a daily concern. The BLS keeps track of workplace injuries through various programs, helping show just how real those risks can be. According to the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) 2024, construction continues to account for a significant share of workplace deaths:

• In 2024, there were 1,034 fatal injuries in construction, about one in five workplace fatalities nationwide.
• The fatality rate was 9.2 deaths per 100,000 full-time workers, among the highest across all industries.

Most fatalities involve falls, transportation incidents, exposure to harmful environments, and contact with equipment. Many can be categorized into OSHA’s Fatal Four—falls, struck-by incidents, caught-in or caught-between hazards, and electrocutions—which make up nearly 60% of construction deaths.

Where Injuries Happen Most: Sector Breakdown

While fatalities get the most attention, non-fatal injuries are far more common and can be just as serious—even life-altering. They can mean missed work, ongoing medical care, and lasting issues like chronic pain or limited mobility, affecting both a person’s job and everyday life.

Non-fatal injuries are tracked by the BLS Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII). The most recent SOII data (2024) breaks down injuries across construction subsectors:

 

Construction Sector	Injury & Illness Cases (per 100 full-time workers)
Construction overall	167.1
Construction of buildings	37.9
Residential building	21.3
Nonresidential building	16.6
Heavy & civil engineering	19.7
Utility system construction	8.4
Power & communication line construction	3.7
Highway, street & bridge construction	9.2
Specialty trade contractors	109.5

Source: BLS SOII — Table 2, Nonfatal Occupational Injuries and Illnesses by Industry, 2024 (BLS Table 2 2024)

 

Key takeaways:

• Specialty trade contractors, including electricians, plumbers, carpenters, and HVAC workers, have very high injury rates relative to workforce size.
• Nonresidential building and heavy/civil engineering work show high injury levels due to complex, physically demanding tasks.
• Even sectors with lower counts, like utility and highway construction, face serious risks from equipment, traffic, and working at heights.

What Types of Injuries Are Most Common?

Understanding which types of injuries occur most frequently can help workers, supervisors, and employers focus on prevention and improve safety on construction sites. Here are the BLS’s most common types of injuries:

• Falls from scaffolds, ladders, and rooftops remain the leading cause of serious injury
• Struck-by incidents, workers hit by tools, materials, or vehicles, are another frequent cause of injuries.
• Overexertion and strain injuries, including lifting and repetitive motion injuries, are common across all sectors.

Why Sector Data Matters for NYC Workers

Knowing which construction sectors are most dangerous helps employers tailor safety plans to the risks their workers face. For example, if data shows that falls are most common in nonresidential building, employers can focus on fall-prevention training and better harnesses. In utility installation, where being struck by objects is a top risk, extra protective gear and stricter site protocols can make a big difference.

Specialty trades may need more ergonomic training and limits on heavy lifting to prevent overexertion injuries. By using sector-specific data, employers can target the right precautions, training, and equipment to keep workers safer.

These numbers aren’t just statistics—they represent real people facing real consequences. Workers injured because of preventable hazards may be entitled to compensation and protections under New York labor laws.

Why Accountability Matters

Too many construction injuries and deaths could be prevented, whether it’s from insufficient training, worn-out equipment, or safety rules that get ignored. The BLS’s CFOI and SOII reports show just how real these risks are and point to where changes are most needed.

Every worker deserves a safe place to do their job. And when accidents happen, they deserve accountability and the full compensation they’re entitled to.

Pazer, Epstein, Jaffe, Fein & Gozenput are NYC Construction Accident Attorneys

At the law firm of Pazer Epstein Jaffe Fein & Gozenput, P.C., we have been fighting for New York City workers and victims of construction accidents for over 60 years. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured on a construction worksite, contact one of our attorneys for a free consultation through our online form or call 212-227-1212.