2025 Deadly Skyline Report: Construction Worker Fatalities in New York Reach Alarming Levels

The latest “Deadly Skyline” report from the New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health (NYCOSH) paints a grim picture for construction workers in New York City and across the state. The data reveals that construction fatalities continued to rise in 2023, underscoring the urgent need for stronger safety measures and enforcement to protect the lives of those who build our skyline.

The Alarming Rise in Construction Worker Fatalities

The statistics are staggering:

30 construction workers lost their lives in New York City in 2023, up from 24 in 2022 and 20 in 2021.
In New York State, the number of construction worker fatalities jumped by 48%, from 50 deaths in 2022 to 74 deaths in 2023.
The fatality rate per 100,000 workers slightly increased in New York City (from 11.5 to 11.6) and rose significantly in New York State (from 9.6 to 10.4).

These statistics highlight that despite existing regulations, safety measures are failing to prevent the loss of lives. The numbers reinforce the need for aggressive oversight, harsher penalties for negligent employers, and better protection for vulnerable workers.

Who is Most at Risk?

Latinx and Immigrant Workers

Latinx workers continue to bear a disproportionate burden of construction-related fatalities:

While Latinx workers make up approximately 10% of New York State’s workforce, they accounted for 26% of construction worker deaths in 2023.
This marks a slight increase from 25.4% in 2022.
Many of these workers are immigrants, often working in non-union job sites where safety violations are more frequent.

Non-Union Job Sites: A Dangerous Pattern

NYCOSH’s analysis of OSHA investigations into construction fatalities in New York State revealed that 77% of workers who died in 2023 were on non-union job sites. This underscores the critical role that unions play in protecting workers by enforcing safety training, proper equipment use, and employer accountability.

Declining Oversight and Accountability

Despite the rising fatalities, enforcement mechanisms are weakening:

OSHA fines for fatality cases decreased by 45.6%, with average fines dropping from $59,075 in 2022 to $32,123 in 2023.
OSHA inspections remain below pre-pandemic levels. While inspections increased by 18.5% in 2023 compared to 2022, they are still 15.33% lower than 2019 levels.
Public transparency has declined, with OSHA issuing only 15 press releases in 2023, down from 21 in 2019 and 58 in 2016.

Negligent Contractors Continue to Receive Government Subsidies

One of the most troubling findings in the NYCOSH report is that 74% of OSHA-inspected construction fatality cases in New York State involved employers who had prior OSHA violations. Yet, these same contractors remain eligible for government subsidies. The lack of consequences for repeat offenders sends a dangerous message that profits matter more than lives.

Recommendations for a Safer Future

NYCOSH’s report outlines several key recommendations to improve safety conditions for construction workers in New York:

Expand and Enforce Training Requirements
- Require construction training and certification across New York State, similar to New York City’s Local Law 196.
- Ensure accessible training programs for low-income and immigrant workers.
Strengthen Legal Protections
- Preserve the Scaffold Safety Law (New York Labor Law §240), which allows injured workers and their families to hold negligent employers accountable.
- Enforce Carlos’ Law, which imposes higher penalties on corporations responsible for worker deaths, with fines up to $500,000.
Increase Regulatory Oversight
- Prosecute criminal contractors statewide. Manhattan and Brooklyn have led the way in prosecuting negligent contractors, but all New York State district attorneys must follow suit.
- Revoke licenses of contractors responsible for worker deaths to prevent further loss of life.
Improve Funding for Safety Enforcement
- The New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) is understaffed by 119 positions compared to 2024. Increased funding and staffing are crucial to keeping job sites safe.
- OSHA funding cuts must be reversed to ensure proper oversight and enforcement.
End Government Funding for Unsafe Contractors
- Disqualify contractors with serious safety violations from receiving public subsidies.
- Tie government funding to compliance with worker safety laws, training, and fair wages.
Protect Latinx and Immigrant Workers
- Expand “Know Your Rights” trainings for immigrant workers to reduce exploitation and retaliation.
- Proactively enforce workplace protections to ensure fair treatment of undocumented workers.

Holding Employers Accountable

As New York construction accident attorneys, we know the devastating impact of workplace fatalities on families. No construction worker should have to risk their life simply to earn a living. The findings in the 2025 Deadly Skyline Report must serve as a wake-up call. Until stronger enforcement measures are in place and negligent contractors are held accountable, construction workers will continue to pay the price for industry-wide failures.

If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a construction accident, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact our experienced construction accident lawyers today at 212-943-1090 to discuss your legal rights.