Safety Gains Vary by Sector

by | Oct 21, 2026

Research, Business, Data Analytics, Departments, Economy, Markets, Nuts + Bolts, OSHA, Public, Risk, Risk Management, Safety, Technology, Top Story, Topic, Training, Workforce

CPWR’s June 2026 Data Bulletin compares injury trends in building construction, heavy and civil engineering, and specialty trades using federal data.

A construction professional in a white hard hat, safety glasses and yellow high-visibility vest reviews large blueprints on an empty platform beneath the steel truss roof and glass canopy of a new train station.

Key findings:

  • From 2011-12 to 2023-24, nonfatal injury rates fell 46.9% in heavy and civil engineering, 32.4% in specialty trades and 32.2% in building construction.
  • The building construction rate rose 13.1% in the most recent two-year comparison, 2021-22 to 2023-24.
  • The fatal injury rate rose 4.4% in building construction; it fell 35.6% in heavy and civil engineering and 12.7% in specialty trades.
  • In 2024, falls, slips and trips accounted for 43.6% of fatal injuries in building construction and 41.6% in specialty trades. Transportation incidents accounted for 47.3% in heavy and civil engineering.

Source: CPWR, “Construction Injury Trends by Major Subsector,” June 2026

Author

  • Construction Executive, an award-winning magazine published by Associated Builders and Contractors, is the leading source for news, market developments and business issues impacting the construction industry. CE helps its more than 50,000 print readers understand and manage risk, technology, economics, legal challenges and more to run more profitable and productive businesses.

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