Report: Decline in Worker Death Investigations Related to Focus on Safety

Fewer workers are dying from hazards where the federal safety resources have been focused, according to a new report.

Preliminary agency data show a decrease in fatalities the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration is mandated to investigate, including reductions in fatal injuries from trench collapses and falls, two of the leading causes of death among construction industry workers, according to the administration.

In fiscal year 2024, OSHA investigated 826 worker deaths, an 11% reduction from 928 in the previous year. Excluding Covid-related deaths, that was the lowest number of worker fatalities OSHA has been mandated to investigate since FY 2017, the administration said.

Fatal falls, the leading cause of serious work-related injuries and fatalities in the construction industry, investigated by OSHA went from 234 to 189, a decrease of nearly 20%. Preliminary data from state OSHA programs, pending validation by federal OSHA, indicates more than 15% fewer fatalities in state jurisdictions. Currently, federal OSHA covers roughly 60% of private-sector employees and approved state programs cover the remaining workers, according to the administration.

National reporting by federal and state OSHA programs show worker deaths in trench collapses declined nearly 70% since calendar year 2022. Fatalities decreased from 39 in 2022 to 15 in 2023. These decreases follow outreach and education by OSHA and industry partners, work by state plans and aggressive enforcement under a “zero tolerance” policy for unprotected trenches, according to the administration.