TL:DR

Silver Spring, MD — Fatal crashes in construction work zones rose more than 30% over a recent 12-year period, according to a recent data bulletin published by CPWR – The Center for Construction Research and Training.

In 2023, 568 people died in a total of 514 fatal crashes in construction work zones – defined as an “area of the road in which road repair work (e.g., long-term stationary construction like building a bridge or adding lanes) is being conducted.”

By contrast, those numbers were 439 and 392, respectively, in 2012 – the start of CPWR’s study period. The 2023 totals represent increases of 29.4% and 31.1%, respectively.

Overall transportation death and injuries in constructionOverall transportation death and injuries in construction

Transportation-related deaths and injuries in the construction industry remained relatively steady over much of the 12-year period. The fatality and injury rates, however, declined.

The number of transportation-related deaths in the industry decreased to 256 in 2023 (the most recent annual data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics) from 266 in 2012. BLS is expected to publish 2024 workplace fatality data on Feb. 19.

Looking closer, the number of deaths dropped to fewer than 240 twice in that period (in 2013 and 2021) and rose above 250 in 2022 (261) and 2023 (256).

The overall number of transportation-related injuries has remained around 7,000 in five sets of two-year periods beginning in 2013-2014. That includes, most recently, 2021-2022.

Fatality and injury ratesFatality and injury rates

The injury rate, meanwhile, decreased to 4.1 per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers in 2021-2022 from five per 100,000 FTEs in 2013-2014.

Likewise, the transportation-related death rate dropped to 2.1 fatalities per 100,000 FTEs in 2023 from three in 2012.

Adding further context, the rate of transportation-related deaths in the construction industry was 2.2 per 100,000 FTEs in 2022, compared with 2.6 in 2013.

Other findings from the report

“Roadway incidents” accounted for the most injuries and deaths – 5,400 and 161, respectively.

Additional findings:

• Specialty trade contractors (North American Industry Classification System Code 238) accounted for 71.1% of transportation-related injuries from 2021 to 2022 and 50.6% of the transportation-related deaths in 2023.
• Texas experienced the most transportation-related deaths in construction in 2023 with 31, followed by Florida (24).
• South Carolina had the highest death rate at five per 100,00 FTEs, followed by Michigan (4.9).

The CPWR report includes four sets of safety tips for the construction industry, covering pre-operation of vehicles, driving, backing and parking

My Thoughts 💭My Thoughts 💭

A reminder when you see construction laborers on the roads and highways please slow down! Put the phone down and be mindful of construction workers. Sad to see these numbers rise.