BLS releases injury and illness data on construction industry

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released its 2018 Employer-Reported Injury and Illness Report Nov. 7.

According to the data, there were approximately 2.8 million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses reported by private industry employers in 2018, which occurred at a rate of 2.8 cases per 100 full-time equivalent (FTE) workers. This represented no change from 2017. 

The total recordable cases of nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses reported specific to the construction industry rose from 198,100 in 2017 to 199,100 in 2018; however, the cases that resulted in days away from work dropped from 79,800 to 77,500 over that same period.

While the data shows construction remains more dangerous than the average private industry occupation, the slight drop in cases that resulted in days away from work suggests construction employees suffered less severe injuries and illnesses than in 2017.

Overall, the construction industry’s nonfatal injury-illness rate declined to 3.0 per 100 workers in 2018, up from 3.1 per 100 workers in 2017.