Construction site deaths in 2014 rose 6% from 2013, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
There were a total of 874 construction fatalities last year. That number was the highest since 2008, BLS reported. Across all U.S. industries, the BLS reported a preliminary total of 4,679 fatal work injuries in 2014 — a 2% increase from 2013.
Construction fatalities accounted for 20.6% of total private industry fatalities in 2014. That was on par with 2013, when construction accounted for 20.2% of total private industry fatalities.
Within the construction industry, the heavy and civil engineering sector recorded 138 workplace fatalities in 2014, down from 165 in 2013.
Related Stories
Standards | Aug 16, 2016
Standard for conducting, reporting energy audits open for review
A joint ASHRAE/ACCA proposal seeks comments from industry professionals.
Sustainability | Jun 8, 2016
New program certifies the performance of existing buildings in the U.S.
BREEAM USA, an offshoot of a program already in place in Europe, aims to ease the point of entry.
Resiliency | Feb 16, 2016
Obama establishes federal earthquake risk management standard
The standard requires federal agencies to use earthquake-resistant design provisions in current building codes.
Multifamily Housing | Jul 16, 2015
Minneapolis relaxes parking requirements on new multifamily buildings
The city cut the number of spots required for large developments by half. It also will accept plans with no parking spaces in certain cases.
Codes and Standards | Jul 16, 2015
Berkeley, Calif., adopts balcony inspection program following deadly collapse
Apartment building balconies will be subject to inspections every three years under new regulations adopted following a deadly collapse.
Codes and Standards | Jul 16, 2015
Oregon to spend $300 million for seismic updates on public buildings
A survey found that more than 1,000 Oregon school buildings face a high risk of collapse during earthquakes.
Codes and Standards | Jun 24, 2015
Maryland’s Prince George County turns to P3s to build green infrastructure
Over the next 10 years, the county must convert 15,000 acres of watertight surfaces—almost 5% of the county's total area—into surfaces that absorb or treat rainwater.
Codes and Standards | Jun 24, 2015
Philadelphia considers more incentives for green building
Developers could be allowed additional height, floor area on projects that meet benchmarks.
Codes and Standards | Jun 24, 2015
LEED building at Duke University may be retrofitted to prevent bird deaths
More birds die from colliding with buildings at Duke than on any other campus in a 45-school survey conducted by Augustana College. Duke is located along the Atlantic Flyway, a bird migration route.
Codes and Standards | Jun 24, 2015
Balcony collapse in Berkeley, Calif., prompts an examination of codes
Dry rot and too much weight appear to be the causes of a fatal accident at an eight-year-old building in Berkeley, Calif.