Falls and Struck-By Incidents Remain Leading Causes of Construction Worker Deaths — Safety Stand-Downs Aim to Prevent Tragedies

Falls and struck-by incidents continue to be among the leading causes of traumatic injuries and deaths on construction sites across the United States. Safety experts and regulators consistently warn that these incidents are largely preventable when proper safety planning, training, and protections are implemented.

Each spring, national safety campaigns organized by the Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) encourage contractors and workers to pause jobsite activities and focus on preventing these hazards through targeted safety discussions and training.

From the perspective of experienced construction accident lawyers, these campaigns highlight a critical point: most serious construction accidents occur because established safety rules were ignored or not enforced.

National Stand-Down to Prevent Struck-By Incidents: April 20–24

This year’s National Stand-Down to Prevent Struck-By Incidents will take place April 20 through April 24 during the annual National Work Zone Awareness Week.

Struck-by incidents occur when workers are hit by moving vehicles, heavy equipment, falling materials, or construction tools. These accidents frequently occur in road work zones, building sites, and areas where multiple trades operate in close proximity.

Employers and safety supervisors are encouraged to temporarily pause work activities during the Stand-Down to:

• Conduct jobsite safety training

• Review struck-by hazard prevention plans

• Discuss traffic control and equipment safety procedures

• Watch safety training webinars and review new guidance materials

A national webinar scheduled for April 20 at 1:00 p.m. (Eastern) will focus on the use of positive protection devices for work zone safety, including barriers and other physical safeguards designed to separate workers from traffic and moving equipment.

These protections are particularly important in roadway construction zones, where workers face constant exposure to moving vehicles and heavy machinery.

National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction: May 4–8

Shortly after the struck-by safety campaign, the 13th annual National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction will take place May 4 through May 8.

Falls from heights remain the single largest cause of fatal construction injuries, particularly in trades involving:

• Roofing

• Scaffold work

• Structural steel installation

• Ladder use

• Elevated platform work

The campaign encourages contractors to conduct toolbox talks, safety demonstrations, and fall protection inspections to reinforce safe practices on construction sites.

CPWR and its safety partners are also releasing new educational resources and hazard alert cards, available in both English and Spanish, to help workers recognize and prevent fall hazards.

Why These Construction Accidents Continue to Occur

Despite decades of safety initiatives, falls and struck-by incidents continue to cause serious injuries and fatalities. In many cases, investigations reveal that basic safety rules were not followed, such as:

• Lack of proper fall protection systems

• Missing guardrails or safety harnesses

• Unsafe scaffold construction

• Poorly managed work zones

• Failure to separate workers from heavy equipment

• Inadequate training or supervision

Construction projects often involve multiple contractors and subcontractors, making it essential that safety responsibilities are clearly defined and enforced.

When these protections are ignored, the consequences can be catastrophic for workers and their families.

Legal Rights After a Construction Accident

Under New York law, injured construction workers and their families may have legal rights beyond workers’ compensation. Depending on the circumstances, liability may exist against:

• Property owners

• General contractors

• Subcontractors

• Equipment manufacturers

• Third-party contractors responsible for jobsite safety

New York’s Labor Law §§ 240 and 241 impose strict safety obligations in many construction settings, particularly when accidents involve falls from heights or unsafe worksite conditions.

These laws were designed specifically to protect construction workers performing dangerous tasks and to ensure that those responsible for jobsite safety are held accountable when preventable accidents occur.

Protecting Construction Workers Through Safety and Accountability

National safety campaigns such as the Stand-Down initiatives help bring attention to the most dangerous hazards in the construction industry. But meaningful prevention requires consistent enforcement of safety regulations and proper planning on every jobsite, every day.

When serious accidents occur, investigations often reveal that the risks were well known and could have been prevented with proper safety measures.

Construction workers deserve safe working conditions. When companies fail to follow established safety standards, the legal system plays an important role in ensuring accountability and helping injured workers and their families recover the compensation they deserve.