New York, NY – According to the NYC Construction Safety Report worker injuries dropped by 30 percent in 2024 compared to 2023. Construction-related incidents fell by 24 percent. Worker injuries reached a nine-year low and construction-related incidents reached a 10-year low; additionally, worker fatalities remained at a 10-year low. The report underscores the ongoing strength of the building construction industry, with initial permits for new building projects increasing by over 24 percent in 2024 compared to 2023
“New Yorkers deserve safe workplaces, and that includes our city’s construction sites. Thanks to the hard work of DOB, we are making significant progress towards that goal, with inspections of construction sites at historic highs and incidents at a 10-year low,” said Mayor Adams. “Nevertheless, we know that even one death at our construction sites is unacceptable, which is why our administration will continue to implement historic safety initiatives and keep up the fight for safer construction sites across the city.”
Data in the report show that over 98 percent of work sites did not report a single incident or injury in 2024. While incidents are exceedingly rare, the data shows that they can occur on work sites of any size and in every neighborhood across the city.Construction-related incidents fell from 841 in 2023 to 638 in 2024, a 24 percent decrease year-over-year, while construction-related injuries fell from 692 in 2023 to 482 in 2024, a 30 percent decrease year-over-year. “This report is a clear sign that New York City’s construction industry is moving in the right direction. Builders, contractors, and skilled workers across the five boroughs are embracing a culture of safety, and it’s literally saving lives,” said New York Building Congress President & CEO Carlo A. Scissura, Esq.
| Year | Incidents | Injuries | Fatalities |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 1,011 | 472 | 12 |
| 2016 | 1,162 | 603 | 12 |
| 2017 | 1,212 | 671 | 12 |
| 2018 | 1,193 | 759 | 13 |
| 2019 | 960 | 594 | 14 |
| 2020 | 796 | 502 | 8 |
| 2021 | 712 | 505 | 9 |
| 2022 | 752 | 554 | 11 |
| 2023 | 841 | 692 | 7 |
| 2024 | 638 | 482 | 7 |
Finally, the report highlights increased construction activity in New York City throughout 2024, with total initial permits for new building projects increasing by over 24 percent compared to 2023. The 103,592 initial construction permits issued by DOB in 2024 is the highest in five years.
“New York’s dedicated tradesmen and tradeswomen deserve to have their wellbeing prioritized on the job, and this year’s Construction Safety Report offers some reassurance that that is happening,” said Gary LaBarbera, president, Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York. “We must build on this progress in lessening construction site injuries and fatalities and continue to promote safety, proper workforce development, and increased inspections so that this downward trend can be maintained. Hardworking construction workers throughout the city are simply trying to make an honest living, support their families, and pursue the middle class, and we thank Mayor Adams, Commissioner Oddo, and the entire DOB for their ongoing commitment to ensuring each of these workers return home safely after each shift. BCTC also looks forward to continuing its role in promoting construction safety, both in collaboration with elected officials and city and state agencies and through member education and training.”
