Construction fatality report yields surprising results
States that report low numbers of nonfatal injuries among construction workers tend to have high rates of fatal injuries, while those with low fatality rates tend to report higher numbers of nonfatal injuries, according to a new study from the RAND Corporation.
Researchers found that the states with the low nonfatal injury rates and high fatality rates tended to be in the South, have lower worker compensation benefits, be less unionized and pay lower wages. In contrast, states with high nonfatal injury rates and lower fatality rates tended to be in the West, pay higher benefits and wages, be more strongly unionized and carry out more workplace inspections.