College - Author 1
College of Architecture and Environmental Design
Department - Author 1
Construction Management Department
Degree Name - Author 1
BS in Construction Management
Date
3-2026
Primary Advisor/Subject Matter Expert (SME)
Philip Barlow, College of Architecture and Environmental Design, Construction Management Department
Abstract/Summary
Construction work is one of the most dangerous industries in the United States, with different trades and work types showing various risk levels for injuries and fatalities. This paper’s objective is to identify the safety trends in construction over the past 10 to 20 years and understand the trades, accident types, and construction sectors with the highest safety risks. All of the data was obtained from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), and the National Safety Council (NSC) databases, broken down by trade, accident type, and sector (residential, nonresidential, heavy civil, and subsurface/trenching activities). Microsoft Excel was used to organize the data into charts and graphs to evaluate trends over time. The results reveal that roofing, framing, and electrical trades have the highest fatality counts respectively, and falls are the most common cause of construction related deaths. The analysis also shows that residential construction and trenching activities experience elevated safety risks compared to other sectors. Overall, the findings provide additional insight into the need for trade specific safety planning to reduce injuries and fatalities across the construction industry.
URL: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/cmsp/927
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