In 2015, construction laborers logged the 14th highest total incidence rate, at 265.3 per 10,000 full-time workers, for nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses at total private, state, and local government employers, according to the annual report of Nonfatal Occupational Injuries and Illnesses Requiring Days Away From Work released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics Thursday morning.
This year’s result is an improvement from 2014’s 8th highest incident rate of 309.7, and marks a huge improvement in occupational safety for construction laborers. A total of 19,960 cases of injuries and illness were reported in full year 2015.
The most commonly occurring injuries for construction laborers in 2015 include sprains, strains, tears (72.2 incidence rate), cuts, lacerations, punctures (46.1 incidence rate), and fractures (38.1 incidence rate). Other common injuries and illnesses include bruises, contusions, heat burns, chemical burns, and multiple traumatic injuries and disorders.
Individual construction laborers could suffer multiple injuries and illnesses as the job exposes them to a slew of risks. In year 2015, contact with objects is by far the most common event in which construction laborers got injured, at a high incidence rate of 102.8. Work involving over-exertion in lifting or lowering came in second, with a total incidence rate of 70.4.
In 2015, a total of 5150 cases of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs or injuries that affect human body’s movement or musculoskeletal system) were reported in the occupation of construction laborers. For every 10,000 full-time construction laborers, 68.4 of them suffered MSDs from work, with a median 15 days away from work.
For more key findings from the annual report, check out the data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics >>
