After five consecutive years of decreases, construction deaths rose five percent last year, propelling the construction industry into the top spot in terms of work-related fatalities per industry in 2012. However, when measured by deaths per 100,000 full-time workers construction ranks behind agriculture/forestry/fishing/hunting and mining/quarrying/oil and gas extraction and transportation/warehousing – according to preliminary data released recently by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
According to the BLS’ National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, there were 775 fatal injuries in private construction in 2012, which translates to 9.5 deaths per 100,000 full-time workers. Transportation/warehousing was in second place, with 677 deaths.