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Thursday 29th July 2010 10:21 AM |
Construction workers endure high rates of death, injury
By Michael Kuchta 18 February 2007
| ST. PAUL - More workers are killed on construction jobs than in any other occupation, according to the latest workplace fatality figures from the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics. |
Construction fatalities accounted for more than 1 in 5 workplace deaths in the U.S. in 2005. In addition, construction workers were nearly 3 times more likely to be killed on the job than workers in general.
A total of 5,702 workers suffered fatal injuries on the job in 2005, according to preliminary statistics. Of those deaths, 1,186 (or 20.8 percent) were from construction accidents.
Nationally, there were 48 fewer construction deaths in 2005 than in 2004. In Minnesota, however, construction deaths increased from 16 in 2004 to 25 in 2005.
In North Dakota, construction deaths decreased from 5 to 0; in South Dakota, they rose from 3 to 6.
Nationally, there were 11 deaths per every 100,000 construction workers in 2005. That compares with the overall workplace fatality rate of 4 per 100,000. Three other occupational categories – agriculture, mining and transportation -- had higher fatality rates.
Construction laborers accounted for 26 percent of construction deaths, the bureau says. Carpenters accounted for 10 percent of the construction deaths.
Construction workers also have one of the highest rates of workplace injuries and illnesses. They suffer more than 11 percent of all injuries, even though they make up only 6 percent of the workforce.
In Minnesota, there were 8.6 reported injuries or illnesses per 100 full-time equivalent construction workers in 2004, the most recent year for which complete statistics are available. That compares with a rate of 5.3 cases for workers in general, according to the state Department of Labor and Industry.
About 44 percent of Minnesota construction injuries are serious enough to require time off from work, a work restriction, or a job transfer. On average, these injured workers are off the job for 10 days, the Bureau of Labor Statistics says.
The bureau has not released similar injury figures for North Dakota or South Dakota.
Adapted from Lakes and Plains Carpenter magazine, the official publication of the Lakes and Plains Regional Council of Carpenters.
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